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“Riven just left to go find you again.”

“He found me. Again. This time in the arms of one of the evil twin spawns of the Sea Witch from the Seventh. Never, ever going to happen, he told me as he pulled me away.”

“I bet the queen wasn’t too happy about that.”

“Well, you know what they say… insubordination is a virtue.”

“Umm, Birdy, I don’t think they say that.” I find myself smiling. Even under these ridiculous circumstances, Birdy’s presence relaxes me.

“Well, they are probably wrong.” She shrugs. “Because it’s one of my most favorite things about myself.”

I wish I had her confidence.

“Speaking of her royal evilness, have you seen her?”

“No, not for a little bit.” She scans the crowd. “Have you?”

“Not since I was nearly forced to dance with the Serpent King and Riven spit his drink all over some unfortunate soul standing in front of him.” I meant to keep that last part to myself. I follow her gaze until the skin on the back of my neck stands at attention and turn to see Riven watching me.

“Yes, I noticed that he has a bit of a possessive streak when it comes to you.”

“Occupational hazard, I suppose.” I snag a bubbly drink from a tray passing by.

“No, that’s the thing. He’s never been like this with anyone before,” she confides.

“Not even the queen?” I hate that I’m asking.

“No. It’s not what you think—I can’t say more. It’s nearly time. I just need to find Draven.”

“Draven? The tall, brooding beast of a man?”

“That would be him.” She smiles, her two different-colored eyes lighting with mischief.

“He’s terrifying. Handsome, but terrifying nonetheless.”

“He’s harmless.” Her voice lowers. “But I need to find him.”

“Do I sense a crush?”

“What? No—no way! It’s not like that. We have a mutual interest, that’s all.” She waves away the suggestion. “He’s not what you think. “

“What does that mean?”

“No time for that now. It’s nearly midnight. This might be our only chance.”

“Only chance? Birdy, what are you talking about?”

She pulls me close and whispers in my ear. “Our only chance for you to get out of here.”

“Birdy, I appreciate your sense of adventure, but I’m surrounded… in a room full of people that all want me dead or some form of dead. Or my blood or my crown. I’m still not sure of the details, but I do know there is no way I’m getting out of here.”

Or is it that I’m not ready to leave him?

“Listen.” She pulls me away from the crowd under the cover of the staircase. “I overheard the queen telling Riven that tonight is just about showing you off. It’s just a flex of power. They all think that they’re going to get a piece of you in the form of some kind of gift… or blood. Some crazy old prophecy. She’s going to make him kill you. It’s a test—she’s questioning his loyalty. Whatever is going on between you two, she knows.”

“There isn’t anything going on.” My mind struggles to keep up with the specifics as she keeps going.

“Adelaide, I saw you guys with my own eyes. That wasn’t nothing. But that doesn’t matter now because these people, they all believe that your blood can enchant objects or something. It really makes no sense to me, and I’ve been trying to find out more about it in the books, but the last few I had hidden away in the castle have disappeared. And that’s where the queen and Draven went. To get some books she promised him, but I made my own deal.”