Violet held up a brocade dress, a deep enough green she could've melted emeralds in it. Embroidered wolf heads glinted on each sleeve."It's stunning," Violet said. "Why do you have this?"Vesper handed her a silver skull mask like his own, failing to meet her eyes. "Someone else was supposed to attend with me. She couldn't make it.""What happened to her?""Taken from me by the war.""I'm so sorry." Violet tried to hand the dress back. "I can't wear this.""Please. I wouldn't have offered it if I didn't want to see it worn."Violet hesitated, running her hands over the textured fabric. "It's exquisite. A dress I would actually wear."Another smile bled through Vesper's masked tone. "I thought it would be to your taste. It was made for a warrior."He showed her hidden pockets sewn in for small knives."I'm an archer," she laughed. "Not quite the same.""Such small faith you have, Violet Bellerose." Vesper took out a collapsible bow and a special thigh strap with a slim quiver that she

"Stand up straight. Rest your hand against the corner of your mouth," Violet instructed.She was at the back of the palace giving Jasmine an archery lesson as promised. The younger girl was not a natural, but Violet hadn't been either when she first started."Like this?" Jasmine looked back proudly and let her arrow fly without aiming.The barb arched through the sky and landed in one of the bushes lining the range."Oops."Jasmine's frame drooped with disappointment."You just need to work on your focus," Violet encouraged.Jasmine went fishing for the arrow in the bushes. When she came back up her thick curls had welcomed a host of leaves. Violet chuckled and started pulling them free."You're not focused, either," Jasmine pointed out. "Are you thinking about the summit?"Violet couldn't help looking up at the palace, wondering what kind of decisions Eden and his council were making. Everyone was still reeling from Curzon's appearance at the masquerade the night before. News was spre

"What are you doing over here?" Jasmine whispered.She carried a tray of wine glasses for the banquet. Most of Basharr's nobles had turned up, from the lords down to the country barons, for the announcement and in order to be in a room together they preferred not to be sober."I'm guarding the king," Violet replied."From behind the orange tree?"Violet sighed, emerging from behind the potted tree. A dozen of them had been planted and wheeled into the throne room along with soaring bundles of golden wheat as symbols of the union between Basharr and Parvara."It's good cover," Violet said, trying to sound convincing."From who exactly?"Violet groaned. "Just go serve your wine, please.""You're fighting with the king again," Jasmine hissed triumphantly. "What is with you two and banquets?""I wish I knew.""Well, you can't stay here forever.""Why not?" Violet huffed."Because the king is headed this way right now.""What?"Jasmine darted off, wine sloshing, leaving Violet trapped betwe

The hour-long horseback ride to the palace took Violet to new heights of discomfort. The more they shared magic, the easier she sensed Eden. His steady breathing, his focused gaze, his stiff posture, all determined to stay away from her.She'd just trampled his heart, but at least he understood now. She couldn't remain in the city, maybe not even in Basharr. This was the best thing for both of them—Eden would be free to focus on Chione while Violet could move on from the Monarch."I have no idea how to do that," she muttered to herself, watching the king from behind.His hair was still drying under the cloudy sky. His linen clothes clung in wet patches to his skin. She could almost imagine him as another elf, not the Storm King, with no reason to marry someone he didn't want to. She smiled sadly at the thought. If there was one thing Eden could never be, it was ordinary.He pulled on the reins of his horse to slow down next to her. "I've been thinking where you can serve until the wedd

Queen Chione summoned Violet to her rooms the next morning. Violet's wrist was still hurting after the clocktower stunt but the swelling was down and she refused to leave her bow and quiver behind, especially when heading inside the palace. Each hallway felt jeweled with memories, waiting to blindside her with their brightness. She wanted to be armed against whatever she met.Thankfully, Jasmine was the first familiar face she crossed."Even when you move out of the palace, you're all this place talks about," Jasmine beamed, wrapping her arms around Violet."You heard about yesterday?" Violet guessed."You rescued the Queen! All the attendants think you're going to be promoted. Some of the courtiers think you'll move back in. I'm hoping you'll show me how you flew across the royal parade."They kept walking, Violet catching sight of some of the Lords. She gave a slight nod. They completely ignored her. Staying in the barracks did have some perks."The Queen summoned me," Violet whisper