"Of course I am, dear." Her fingers trembled on the glass. "Of course I am."
I’d never seen sucha beautiful wedding venue. Wind tousled the skirt of my dress and tugged white blossoms from the arch. Brighid had kept me safe last night and through the morning, until she herself was swept away to prepare for the ceremony.
I had not seen anyone but her and Bláth since the ball. That would change soon. The bench I stood in front of was reserved for the Paragons.
The bench creaked as someone stepped up onto it and jumped down beside me. Dark blue caught my eye. Relieved, I turned to Diar.
She stared at the ceremony platform, wrinkling her nose. “I didn’t think we had to attend the ceremony.”
“It would be considered impolite if you skipped it,” I said, shifting closer to her as more people wandered to their seats. “I’m glad to see you survived the night.”
“Because I was there to protect her.” Ferris appeared at my other side and flopped down on the bench.
“Um.” I shooed him with my fingers. “That seat is reserved for Paragons.”
“I don’t see any.” He furrowed his brow at the arch. “I’ve had a bad feeling all morning."
Diar leaned forward. “Because of your bird?”
“I told you—it's never wrong.”
My eyes darted around the courtyard, through the branches of the tree, to the roofs of the towers in the distance. I didn’t see any crow.
I wanted nothing more than to question Diar and Ferris about the Diath, about their birds. But Brighid had warned me never to speak of it where another might overhear.
It would have to wait.
Ferris looked up at me. “You disappeared last night.”
“I had too much to drink,” I lied.
“Heh. Well, I think I have good news. Sounds like the Lecovair think it's a waste of time to chase you around with assassins.”
“Yes, but . . . ” Diar gave me a sidelong look. “Agendra doesn’t think anyone will listen to us. In fact, they might just pretend we don’t exist.”
I sighed heavily. “That’s the best we could hope for.”
“It’s Talav shit.”
Ferris chuckled. “Someone's learning curses from Agendra.” He looked over his shoulder. “Speaking of . . . ”
I followed his gaze, and immediately wished I hadn’t. Lord Agendra approached, impossible to miss in his rich yellow doublet. A redheaded man dressed in black walked at his side.
Whipping around, I pretended not to have seen them.
“Hey, kid.” Agendra kicked the bench leg. “You’re in my seat.”
Ferris sighed dramatically and rose. “I guess I’ll go sit all the way at the back.” He winked at Diar and strolled away.
Agendra rested a heavy hand on my shoulder as he passed, letting Reese sit next to me.
Warmth spilled over me as Reese leaned in. “Are you alright?” He whispered.
Steeling myself to lie, I offered him a smile. “I’m perfectly fine—just a little hungover.”
The moment I saw his face, I faltered. He looked torn. Shadows pooled under his eyes.
“This is my fault,” he whispered. “I shouldn't have . . . ”
