THE VELVET ASSASSIN

starian Royal Palace was ca

centuries old gilded with murals of past kings and veiled

custom-tailored gown clung to her like liquid midnight. Around her neck, a disc

guests had b

was either royalty, po

galia, deep navy robes, trimmed in lion-gold. A royal sword was

smi

did

anned the room,

ecited the ancient oath in Estarian, and the ceremonial c

Alessia caught the smallest fl

ack, seated two

ing on his finger. F

rectly. Only showed up w

s pulse

a small mirror

screetly, and

ected behind h

er guest, an older woman

sia's mother had wor

that pin... unless

taken it fro

gistered the rest

bowed to receive the crown. All she saw was that brooch. Th

se rang through the chapel,

everence. "A private gathering in

ward the long corridor

. The woma

con

like

ind r

ame wa

nted th

t a w

mes

ing salon, Nikolai approa

with holy place

you'll hate my ance

ons of Vasari rulers watching them in oil and gold. But ju

ss, we have

ned. "What kin

y breach. One of the guests w

s breath

ikolai d

Fiorenza

in Alessia's

ame on her for

al

lled a decoy w

he body in

ge re

asn't jus

clearing

r, eyes clouded with

elf with a trembl

e you're saf

I assure you, it's a c

didn't sound s

e mask was

re inside this palac

close. V