Chapter 20

“Thank you, Master Bastian.” She demurely lowered her lashes. “I appreciate you coming to speak with me.”

“Please, let me know if there is anything that I can do.”

She nodded and suddenly wondered if there was something that he could do. Not here or right now. But later, when she put a plan together. Perhaps Bastian’s kindness could be beneficial. She would put him in her back pocket like a card in Dragons Up.

Bastian tipped his head at her and then disappeared back into the crowd.

Maya had had enough of the party. She dropped her drink off on a nearby table and then stepped lightly onto the balcony. The summer heat had dipped uncharacteristically cold while still hanging on to every ounce of humidity. It wasn’t a good combination. But it did mean that the balcony was unattended. Or so she had thought.

Her feet stilled when she found Fordham Ollivier leaning his elbows against the railing and staring wistfully out into the city beyond.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

He slowly t