“Are you ready?” Maelia asked Cyrene.

Cyrene shook her head.

Despite the fact that she had been exhausted last night, she hadn’t been able to succumb to sleep. She had been lost in a nightmare of her magic destroying buildings and mowing down half of the Aurumian army. She couldn’t stop thinking about Kael Dremylon using magic, sword fights, injuries, and boat rides in the middle of the night.

And Dean. Whispering in her ear, his fingers in her hair, his lips on her cheek. With everything going on, she should be plotting her next move, but she couldn’t stop thinking about him.

There was no jolt of electricity. No tendrils connecting her to him. No current drawing them together, as if they were tethered on a string. No magnets or uncontrollable need that would practically sweep her off her feet.

None of that overpowering obsession.

Just the fluttering of her heart and the flush on her cheeks from the enticing ease of Dean Ellison.

She drew herself out of her thoughts once more and remembered where she was—facing the door to the Eleysian throne.

A man pushed the door open and announced to everyone in attendance, “Affiliate Cyrene Strohm and Affiliate Maelia Dallmer of Byern.”

As they walked down the white marble aisle, hushed whispers sprang up all around them. Cyrene was prominently wearing her Affiliate pin, a gold circle of Byern climbing vines, on the breast of her purple dress. It felt good to have it in place again.

The room was a large rectangular space with ceilings nearly three stories high. Three tiers of balconies were carved into the sandstone walls, and below each one hung a bright royal-blue banner with a winged lion inside the royal crest pictured in white. Rows of seating were set up like a theater and filled with every manner of nobility.

Cyrene assumed they must be the Eleysian Privy Council. The members were elected annually from each of the eight districts and the mainland.

The walkway ended with a royal-blue rug in front of a two-tiered platform and three gilded thrones with cushions in the Eleysian royal blue. Seated on the thrones were Queen Cassia, King Tomas, and Crown Princess Brigette, heir to the throne of Eleysia. There was a row of girls seated to the right, who must be the remainder of Dean’s sisters, and a group of men behind them that she guessed were their husbands.

And then there was Dean. She started when she caught his gaze. He had shaven his face to just a shadow across his jaw, and his hair, which had nearly reached his shoulders, had been cut almost as short as the Byern style. Her stomach dropped at how handsome he looked, and she chided herself for thinking of that when there were more important matters at hand.

Once they reached the dais, Cyrene and Maelia each dropped into a proper curtsy. She didn’t know about Maelia, but she was definitely hoping that Queen Cassia was less conniving than Queen Kaliana and Queen Jesalyn. Though Cyrene wouldn’t mind if Queen Cassia was as benevolent as Queen Shira.

“Rise, Affiliates,” Queen Cassia commanded.

Cyrene rose and got a good look at the Queen for the first time. She was a short, plump woman with dark red hair that her eldest daughter mirrored. She wore a simple royal-blue gown made from the sheer material that seemed to be in vogue in the Eleysian palace. A choker of fat white pearls ringed her neck, and she had a sapphire as big as a coin in each ear. It was unsurprising to see that she was heading into her years, considering she had twelve children, including Dean, who was the youngest and fully grown. But for all of that, she was regal and dignified with sharp eyes and unmatched poise.

“Welcome to Lombardy palace and to the country of Eleysia.”

They each bobbed another curtsy.

“It is our pleasure, Your Majesty,” Cyrene said.

“It has been quite some time since we’ve had an official delegation from Byern in our homeland. To see two Affiliates in our royal throne room with the blessing of my son warms my heart. Though your presence is most unexpected,” she said, letting the words hang in the air between them. “How exactly did we get this great honor?”

“Your Majesty, I have your son, Prince Dean, to thank for all of this. I was in Aurum when we met, but I didn’t know who he was.”

The Queen’s eyebrows rose significantly, and her eyes shifted to her son for a split second before returning to Cyrene.

“We became friends, and then when we were together again at a ball at the Aurum court, he offered to take me and my friend to visit Eleysia. I had always wanted to see the country, and I accepted his kind offer.”

Cyrene figured that was mostly the truth. It would have to suffice for now because she wasn’t about to get into the specifics.

“I see,” Queen Cassia said with a half-smile. “The country is open to visitors of all sorts, of course. Though I would be careful about how you behave in Eleysia.”

At the threat in the Queen’s voice, Cyrene could feel Maelia tense next to her.

“Previous visitors from Byern have been less than accepting of different…ideologies. It would be best that, while you are here as a guest, you perhaps keep your own beliefs to yourself,” she said carefully.

“We understand,” Cyrene said.

If she had come here fresh from Byern without spending any time in other countries and kingdoms, without traveling hard across the countryside, and without friends who could guide her through different customs, she would have been uncertain of what that meant. But no longer. She knew many countries believed that Byern’s customs should remain their own and not foisted onto anyone else. For a long time, she had thought there was only one right way to rule. Now, she could see that there were as many right ways as there were kingdoms…or queendoms.

“Neither myself or my companion have any interest in pushing our beliefs about Byern onto anyone else. In fact, I’m very interested to learn about your own beliefs and customs and to seamlessly assimilate into your court, Your Highness.”

Queen Cassia’s mouth quirked on one side. “Is that so?”

“Your Majesty,” Dean interrupted, “if I might shed some additional light on the situation…”

“By all means.”

Dean came to stand beside Cyrene. She warily smiled at him. She had expected it to be tough to deal with the issue of having Affiliates in their palace when they were practically banned from the country, but she hadn’t expected Dean to speak up on her account.

“Affiliate Cyrene has my full support. When we met, neither of us knew who the other was. We were not an Affiliate of Byern and a Prince of Eleysia, and yet, we fostered a close relationship. Isn’t that exactly what we want from diplomacy with Byern? That is how we enact change. And though I’ve only known her a short time, she has proven herself greatly,” Dean said.

His eyes found hers, and Cyrene took a sharp breath. If she could see the affection blatant on his face, then so could everyone else in the room.

“Pray tell me how,” the Queen asked.

“When I was in Aurum, Byern guardsmen came into the countryside, seeking an Affiliate who had been kidnapped. As you can imagine, it was contentious, having Byern soldiers on foreign soil. I thought, surely, war would break out between the countries. But in the end, it turned out, they rescued the girl and detained her within the castle.”

“How fortunate.”

Cyrene’s heart raced as he recounted his version of the story to his parents. She wondered how much he would tell. Would the whole world soon know about my magic?

“But the Affiliate hadn’t been kidnapped. In fact, she was fleeing the countryside, seeking asylum. When confronted with the ruler who was to bring her back, I fought for her leave, and she selflessly offered herself up to return to her country if I could but live.”

The throne room had gone deadly silent. And Cyrene’s ears were buzzing. That had happened, but she had never thought of it that way. She just couldn’t fathom someone getting hurt for her mission. But the way he told the story made her seem like a hero when she had thought all along that Dean was the hero of the story.

“I see.”

“I—” Cyrene began, but the Queen held up her hand.

“If you saved my son’s life, then the country owes you a great deal. He is our only son, and I birthed eleven children to get to him. We are in your debt,” the Queen said as she inclined her head to Cyrene.

Cyrene’s mouth dropped open, and she quickly closed it. Then, she dropped into a deep curtsy. “Your Highness, no debt at all. Prince Dean would not have been in any trouble if he had not helped me.”

Dean opened his mouth to protest, but the Queen silenced them both.

“No matter the trouble, you saved my son’s life. You are most welcome in Eleysia. I pray that both you and your companion enjoy your stay, and I hope you will bless us with your company at least through the Eos holiday,” the Queen said with a smile.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Cyrene said.

The Queen rose from her throne and signaled an end to the meeting. The Privy Council began to whisper to one another as they circled the room to talk to neighbors. With a pang in her chest, Cyrene realized how much it reminded her of Presentings back at home with all the Affiliates and High Order congregated in one place.

Dean turned to her then, and his smile stretched from ear to ear. “You’re staying.”

“I’m staying,” she confirmed.

Maelia wrung her hands together next to Cyrene. “That was well done.”

Cyrene winked at her. “Not so bad as a Presenting, was it?”

“Not half as bad,” Maelia confirmed.

“Your Presenting ceremonies are the strangest thing to me,” Dean said.

Cyrene shrugged. “When you were raised your entire life for them, they aren’t that strange.”

“Even when you’re not as fortunate to be First Class, like Cyrene, and didn’t train your whole life for the opportunity,” Maelia said.

Just then, a figure stepped down before them. Dean smiled and pulled his sister in for a hug. The heir to the throne of Eleysia was publicly hugging her brother, as if it were commonplace. Cyrene was definitely going to have to get used to this place. The people in Byern weren’t so affectionate.

“We’re so glad to have you back, Dean,” Princess Brigette said with a sincere smile. “Home wasn’t the same without you here.”

“Well, I’m back to stay,” he confirmed.

“Good.”

“You know I could never stay away. Who would I have to nag me all day?”

Brigette raised her eyebrows in a surprisingly accurate imitation of their mother. Dean just laughed.

“Brigette, meet Cyrene and her friend Maelia.”

“Pleasure,” Brigette said.

“Nice to meet you,” Cyrene said, dipping into a small curtsy.

Maelia did the same and nodded in her direction.

“Come,” Brigette said, taking Cyrene’s arm and pulling her away from Dean. “I think we will be fast friends.”

“Oh no,” Dean grumbled behind her. He followed, offering Maelia his arm.

“Don’t listen to him,” Brigette said with a smile. “I haven’t met an Affiliate in nearly a decade, and I would love to know everything about your homeland.”

“Oh. Well, of course,” Cyrene said.

“Perfect. I hope you have found Eleysia to your liking.”

“As much as I have seen so far.”

“Not much, I’d wager, but we’ll fix that. But, first, let me introduce you to my sisters.”

Cyrene steeled herself to meet all the girls standing before her. There were so many. She had no idea how she was going to keep them all straight. Even with her quick memory, it didn’t seem likely.

“In age order, my sisters, Princesses Susann and Karin.”

Both were tall with straight blonde hair to their waists. Susann had a book open in her lap and barely glanced up at Brigette’s introduction. Karin had on an extremely low-cut dress and the most makeup. She flounced over to them and curtsied to Cyrene.

“So, you’re the reason Dean came home,” Karin said bluntly.

“I…” Cyrene began.

“We thought he’d be gone forever.”

“Must be important to bring the girl home to meet the family,” another girl said, after Karin.

Two other girls followed close behind, and they looked similar with frizzy bright red hair, a splatter of freckles, and round faces.

Brigette pointed at them in order. “The triplets, of course—Princesses Lissa, Lara, and Livia.”

Lara pushed past Lissa to get to the front. “Is that what this is all about? Dean, have you finally found yourself a girl?”

“And Byern born at that?” Livia cried in protest.

Cyrene’s cheeks flushed at the comments, but they wouldn’t let her or Dean get a word in edgewise.

“And an Affiliate at that,” Lara said in disgust.

“Didn’t the last one try to kill him?” another girl with fair hair and big, round green eyes said. Her gown was plainer than the other girls’, and she was a bit wider than the rest. She seemed bored by the conversation.

“That’s Princess Ruthe,” Brigette said. She was making no move to correct the girls or any of their accusations. She seemed perfectly happy to let it continue as she made introductions.

“I distinctly remember the Truffle Incident,” Ruthe continued.

Another girl behind Ruthe just shrugged. She was petite with hair the color of burnt copper and a hawk-like nose. “Who cares? She’s not here to stay.”

“That’s Princess Hether.”

“If she were here to stay, Mother wouldn’t have had an official audience. She’s a visitor. No need to get too comfortable,” Hether said.

A set of twins nudged Hether.

“You think she’s leaving?” one of them asked.

They were the only ones with brown hair in the bunch, but she couldn’t tell them apart.

“Of course she’s leaving. Don’t be absurd, Tifani. It’s not as if he’s marrying her.”

Cyrene’s mouth dropped open, and she tried to find the words to correct them. They had it all wrong. She wasn’t here for Dean. She hardly knew Dean. It didn’t matter in the slightest that he had kissed her last night or the way he’d looked at her or the way he could carry on such an easy conversation with her or that he just seemed to accept her for exactly who she was without pretense, despite his country’s prejudice against Affiliates.

“The twins, Therese and Tifani. Though, they’re younger than Alise over there.”

Alise didn’t say a word. She just stared at Cyrene, as if Alise could see straight through her. Through every sugarcoated word Cyrene had said before their mother. Through every reason for why she was here. Through the relationship between she and Dean. And Alise didn’t just look curious about what was going on and what was to come; she looked angry.

Cyrene diverted her gaze and turned back to Brigette and Dean.

“Only Alise, the twins—Therese and Tifani—and I still live full-time in the palace. All our other sisters are married with lots of children, so they won’t be around as much.”

“I see,” Cyrene said, trying to keep everything straight in her mind.

Dean sighed heavily. “Well, you’ve met my sisters. Ready to run yet?”

Cyrene almost laughed. She had faced a Braj twice and Indres. Not to mention Kael’s magic. A few girls couldn’t be that bad.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Cyrene said, making sure her voice was strong and level.

They seemed to have one idea about her, but she didn’t want to back down from their taunts either.

“You’ve all had your fun,” Dean said with a shake of his head. “Leave her be now.”

“No, it’s okay,” Cyrene said. “They’re just protective. I understand that. I’m protective of my brother and sisters. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Several of the girls gave her appreciative looks, and some looked suspicious. But Alise in the back just rolled her eyes. Well, they are going to be a hard group to crack.

“They’ll warm up to you,” Brigette said. “Just give them time.” She pulled Cyrene away from the rest of her sisters and began to walk them back through the throne room out of earshot of Dean and Maelia. “It was quite a thing to see my brother stand up for you today.”

“Oh, well, I’m sure he was just being kind.”

Brigette gave her an appraising look. “He is, by nature, unfailingly kind. But not to the extent where he would speak to the Queen for a stranger.”

“I haven’t known him long, but I hardly think we are strangers,” Cyrene said. She hoped her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt.

“You must be very special to him.”

Cyrene caught Dean’s eye behind her, and he smiled warmly. In that moment, she found that she was perfectly content with being special to Dean Ellison.