Unfortunately her Founder’s Day gown had a low neckline, something she’d initially loved about it, but not when she’d rather conceal the evidence of her illicit activities. Fortunately, she did have a festive lace scarf that she draped around her neck that looked like part of the outfit.
She made it to the dining hall just before they stopped serving breakfast. A good thing, too, as she was starving, having consumed only sugared nuts, wine, and whiskey the night before. Iliana helped herself to the Founder’s Day pastries and a bowl of tea with milk and honey, happily loading her tray. The odd timing also meant the place was almost empty, with no cadre of wizards to alleviate their boredom by annoying her.
In fact, the only wizard in sight was Alise Elal, sitting by herself and looking glum. Iliana hesitated, not wanting to violate the unwritten social rules, but then decided screw all of them. Apparently she’d become a rebel with the loss of her virginity. And Alise had been a good friend.
“Happy Founder’s Day, Alise,” she said, pausing beside her, ready to move on if Alise scorned her.
But Alise looked up and smiled, crookedly. “Prosperity through magic,” she replied, making it sound like a curse.
Tentative still, Iliana asked, “Is everything all right?”
“No.” Alise’s strained smile crumpled. “Everything is terrible.”
“Want to talk about it?”
Alise glanced around the empty dining hall, then patted the bench beside her. “Please. I’d love that.”
Iliana set down her tray and stepped over the bench to settle beside her old friend. Alise’s plate looked like she’d barely touched it. “What’s wrong?”
Alise sighed, glanced around again. “Promise you won’t tell anyone? Papa made me swear to keep it secret.”
Alise was defying her powerful father, Lord Elal? Thiswasserious. “I swear,” Iliana said solemnly.
Alise stared at her plate as if it contained mud instead of chocolate pastries. “Nic ran away.”
Iliana choked on a pastry crumb, gulped some tea, and ended up burning her tongue. “What?”
Alise shrugged. “She’s missing, anyway. Vanished without a trace.”
“How can she vanish during her Betrothal Trials?” Iliana asked. Nic would’ve been confined in House Elal. And, besides, familiars couldn’t escape. Or could they? If anyone could do something so bold, it was Nic Elal.
“Papa didn’t say,” Alise replied, shaking her head. “He is, of course, beyond furious. Apparently she disappeared during the night more than a week ago. They’ve been searching for her with no luck.”
“Do you think she was abducted?” Iliana asked in a hush. The threat of abduction by rogue or landless wizards loomed over the heads of every unbonded familiar.
Alise snorted in disdain. “From House Elal? Not likely. No, Papa clearly thinks she ran away. He sent a Ratsiel courier to me this morning, interrogatingme, in case I’d helped her or she’d come here.”
“But you haven’t heard from her?”
Alise shot her a dark look, her sleekly short wizard’s haircut making her green eyes stand out in her face. “Of course I haven’t. Would Nic trust me? No. She acts like she barely knows me since I manifested as a wizard. Like I somehow plotted to take her place as Papa’s heir. I never wanted this, Iliana!” Alise’s voice rose, her eyes brightening with tears. “I know I’m supposed to be thrilled to be a wizard, but now I’ve lost my sister’s love, you avoid me, I have no real friends…” She dashed away the tears. “I know I sound like poor little rich girl but now I wonder if wizards become such power-mad assholes because no one loves them anymore.”
“Oh, Alise…” Iliana breathed, then took her friend’s hand under the table, just in case anyone came in. “I still love you. I haven’t been avoiding you. I just thought that you’d moved on, you know. Hanging with the wizards.”
Alise hiccupped a little and nodded. “Yeah. Though… you wouldn’t believe what jerks those people can be.”
“Well,” Iliana replied judiciously, “I actuallywould.”
Alise burst out laughing, Iliana joining in the infectious giggles, just as they’d been when they were younger. Squeezing Iliana’s hand, Alise gave her a sad smile. “I’ve missed you, so much.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” Iliana said. “Now, eat your pastry, because the chocolate will make you feel better, and tell me everything you know. Maybe there are clues you missed.”
Alise obediently took a bite of her pastry. “All I know is that Nic’s last suitor was that rogue wizard from the swamps of Meresin, the one trying to reinstate House Phel.”
“Lord Gabriel Phel.”
“That’s the one. From what Papa carefully didn’t say, I gather that he successfully impregnated Nic. Because he came back to House Elal two weeks later—and why else would he return?—but when he arrived, she was gone.”
“But where could she go?” Excitement thudded through Iliana, but she carefully hid her especial interest in the answer from her friend. Alise might need a friend right now, but she was also a wizard.
