a gown of deep navy and layered gold. Her sharp eyes swept across the room, pausing long enough on each girl

sp as polished glass, "tomorro

instantly, some excha

ill test worth. You will each showcase a skill - one that proves your

eaned toward Lily with a

ined in several arts-poetry, dance, music-but the truth was, none of

ised a hand, and si

you will attend your first formal

ven Calista's smug pos

"You are to dine in elegance, speak with grace, and remember this-the king is not to be spoken to

ile like she found the idea thrilling. Somewhere behind

en Mother finished. "You are candidates fo

tension in the air

That E

carved with stories of past monarchs, marble floors that reflected their

food-roasted duck glazed in pomegranate, buttered venison, bowls of honey-glazed carrots, baskets of steaming bread, and

her deep burgundy dress catching the light. Gold-stitched lilies danced at the hem, trailing soundlessly behind her. He

ou are nervous ,

Lily murmured, eyes sc

e. Lily sat beside Amara and across from Calista, who adjusted her neck

e was alr

g R

ers in soft waves, making him look more like a mythical warrior than a monarch. His grey eyes, cold and unreadable, scanned

ined empty-reserved, per

so briefly-and yet something passed through her. A pau

word. And still

t, each movement calculated and elegant. Some adjusted their posture; others practiced their smiles. A few, like Cal

goblet. "This is insane. I feel like I'm holding

pered back, her eyes watching th

oft voice bro

he food is

ist

vement

aused. Every

seated two rows down-realized her error too late. H

e, his voice flowed through the room lik

you permissi

w and sharp, beautiful and terrifying a

tears. "I-I didn't mean to o

e," h

appeared beside her as

ng down her cheeks. "Please...

" he said flatly. "You

t, her cries muffled by the slam of the g

ce re

ista had paled slightly. Amara pressed h

her expression blank

fear. But f

esence. That cold,

looked at her agai

feel it-he was