The looks I got from the other ladies as I entered the library were nothing short of horrified. Apparently tight leather pants and a tailored, sapphire-blue shirt were not considered acceptable attire for a lady in a library.

Whatever. I'd woken up aching and sore from the combat class the day before and was in no mood to navigate skirts. Just because I'd worn a couple of pretty dresses lately didn’t suddenly make me a professional at skirtsmanship—this, I was aware, wasn't a word. But it should be.

“Politics, intrigue, and etiquette,” announced our tutor for the day—Zan. It was the same guy who had walked in on Ty massaging my arm at lunch time in their sanctuary, and I flushed with embarrassment as his gaze swept over me. “That is what you'll be learning with me. You have two classes, as you do in all of this week's subjects, and today's will focus on both politics and etiquette.”

My stomach sank to my feet as I noticed almost every lady in the room sitting up a bit straighter, like they were excited for this class. Not so much me.

Combat was a subject I’d known I'd excel in. It came as easily to me as walking or breathing. As for botany and alchemy, we all seemed to be on the same footing, and I could fairly much trust my instincts to make it through that class alive. But politics? Etiquette? I was so doomed.

“This morning, I will be presenting you with a series of portraits of some of the kingdom's most frequent guests. I'll show you what they look like and tell you their name, title, and country of residence. You must memorize these for your test this afternoon.” His dark, serious gaze swept the room, and I gnawed at my lip with nervousness. His eyes were so dark they almost looked black from where I sat. It was more than a little unnerving.

“At the end of my session this morning, you'll be allowed some time to yourselves to conduct your own research here in the library. I expect you all to find at least one interesting fact that you could use as a conversation opener with each dignitary. Your test will comprise of a mock introduction wherein you curtsey, greet them by name, and begin a polite conversation to show you have done more than simply memorize their face.” Zan tapped a small device against his palm, waiting for his words to sink in and be understood. Or that's what I assumed his dramatic pause was for, anyway.

“If you're all comfortable, we shall begin.” He aimed his device at the ceiling, from which a large screen dropped down, and the first image of a rotund man in a velvet suit appeared. I marveled at the technology, which had to be a carryover from before the Darkness. much like how most of the city still operated running water and functional sewerage within their homes.

“Duke Gobardlian of Richtenstein,” Zan began, pointing up at the more-than-life-sized image of the duke. Somehow, Zan's rich, warm voice made even this utterly dry subject seem engaging, and throughout the next sixteen images—two for each of the seven kingdoms, plus Teich—I didn't lose my focus once.

I did sort of wish we'd been given a pen and paper to take notes, but given that the whole point was an exercise in rapid memorization, it would have defeated the purpose somewhat.

“That's all of them,” Zan announced some time later. “I hope you all paid very close attention because I will not go through them again. For your test, three dignitaries will be chosen at random for you to 'greet,' but I suggest you brush up on all of the ones I've introduced you to so far. You have two hours.”

Around me, girls hurried into motion, rushing into the rows upon rows of books within the royal library. No doubt they were all heading for the section containing facts and information about all of the surrounding kingdoms—it was what I'd do if I didn’t have more pressing matters on my mind. Memorizing just a handful of geographic facts was a hell of a lot smarter, and a better use of time, than something personal to each dignitary, like what their favorite dog was called.

“Not in a hurry, Lady Callaluna?” Zan asked in a somewhat mocking tone when I was the last one left seated. “Don't tell me you already know all of these faces? You can't possibly get top marks in both Lee’s and Ty's classes and then also know every important person discussed today.” Despite his almost condescending tone, his face looked intrigued. Like he hoped I could kick this class’s butt.

Giving him a tight smile, I brushed my somewhat wild blonde hair over my shoulder and stood from my chair. “Not at all, Zan. Just taking a moment to collect my thoughts and consider the best way to attack the challenge. Is there an index section, by any chance? To save me from wandering aimlessly through the shelves.”

A slow grin spread across his lips, and he gave me a small nod. “Very good start,” he murmured, and I hadn’t failed to notice not one other girl had paused to consider an index. Luckily for me, I'd spent a good deal of time in the Lakehaven public library when I was growing up—not just learning to read, but because it was the warmest place to be during winter when you truly had no home or warm clothing.

Zan showed me the low stack of small drawers that contained index cards for every book in the royal library. The sheer number of drawers almost made my eyeballs burst from my head as, at a glance, there had to be ten times as many drawers as the public library. Still, this was the palace, and if there was one thing I was learning it was that the royals were selfish bastards.

“Thank you.” I dismissed him with a tight smile, but waited for him to leave my line of sight before going to the drawer I had in mind. Unlike my competitors, I was unconcerned with learning fun facts about Maledonia or Carpresney. There was another aspect of the test that had my stomach knotted up and sweat dripping down my spine.

Quickly, I located the section I was looking for, then replaced the card into the drawer before setting out in that direction. There would be no explaining why I was in that section if I still held the index card in my hand.

Thankfully, I wound up in a hidden-away area of the mezzanine level, far away from geography, politics, and whatever other sections the other girls were buzzing around like a swarm of brightly dressed hornets.

Releasing a little bit of the breath I held, I ran my fingers over the spines of the books until I located one that sounded like what I was looking for.

Curtseying and Bowing: How to Survive Court Life.

“Thank Aana for that,” I muttered to myself, pulling the book off the shelf and flipping it open to the contents. “Should just name it Curtseys for Dummies. That's what I need here, anyway.”

I'd managed to survive this far because each time we'd come into close proximity to the royals, we had already been at the dinner table where only a small head dip had been needed. Or so I'd gathered by copying the other girls.

Here, though, we would be getting scored on the perfection of our curtsey, something I was doomed to fail at if I didn't learn what the hell to do—and learn fast. Just that first contents page already made me groan in fear. There was more than one type? And which one you used depended on what status the person you were greeting held?

“I'm screwed,” I whispered, closing the book and smacking it lightly against my forehead.

“How so?” Zan's rich voice asked from close behind me, and I sucked in a breath of fright. How in the gods did people keep sneaking up on me? I was a thief! It should not be this easy to startle me!

Whirling to face him, I tucked the book behind me and gave a tight smile. “No reason. What are you doing up here?”

Zan's brows rose, and a small smile played at his lips. “What am I doing up here? This is the royal library, and I'm a scholar.” He had a valid point, and I pursed my lips. “What book do you have there, Lady Callaluna?”

“Hmm?” I blinked up at him with my very best confused expression. “What book?”

His smile spread wider. “The one you're hiding behind your back. Show me.” He held his open palm out to me, and I shook my head in refusal. “No?” He laughed, sounding surprised. “Lady Callaluna, surely you aren't so childish...”

My eyes narrowed at his insult, but before I could formulate a snappy retort, he'd stepped into my personal space. His strong, manly form boxed me against the shelves, and while I desperately scrambled to regain my scattered wits, the fucker reached behind me and plucked the book out of my weakened grip.

“Zan,” I growled, “I understand you're one of our tutors but—”

“If you're going to give me a warning about propriety around a lady, you can probably save it... Calla. Or is it Lo? I can't keep up with all these affectionate nicknames.” He arched a brow in challenge, then turned his gaze down to the book in his hand. “Well, that's not what I expected.”

Cheeks flaming with heat, I ground my teeth together and tried to wrench the book from his grip. To my dismay, he held firm and even went so far as to hold it up out of my reach.

“Very mature, Zan,” I hissed at him. “Give it back. It's not what I was looking for anyway.”

“Oh no?” he challenged. “Well good, you won’t mind me sitting here and reading it then.” He stepped back from where he'd caged me against the shelves and sank into a large, leather armchair.

For a long moment, I stared at him. But when he gave me a smug smile and proceeded to flip the cover open, then read aloud, I lost my temper. Marching over to him, I held my palm out and glowered death.

“Zan. Please give the damn book back; I don't have that much time to—”

“To learn the appropriate forms of curtsey for all seven kingdoms that we share borders with?” He arched one of those chestnut brows at me and gave me a smug smile. “I have no doubt that as a lady you would have been learning these forms from infancy... especially now.”

His mention of especially now had to do with politics. Teich had always been the ruling kingdom for all other kingdoms. When our magic imploded, so too had theirs. When our technologies failed, so had theirs. Because of this, tensions between each nation had been more than sensitive ever since, so whenever dignitaries visited, everyone walked on eggshells.

Or that's what I'd gathered from the snippets of conversation I'd picked up on previous visits when I'd lightened the purses of a few nobles here and there.

“Well, clearly it's not a high priority in Riverdell; otherwise I wouldn't be in this current predicament, now would I?” I needed that damn book, so I decided to switch from denial to snappish sarcasm.

Zan flipped over a few more pages, focusing his intense dark eyes on the book—thank Aana—rather than me. “This Riverdell sounds like a fascinating place, Lady Callaluna. I'll have to visit some time.”

Grinding my teeth together in an effort not to punch my etiquette tutor in the gorgeous face, I released a loud, vexed breath. “Zan,” I asked as politely as I could with my teeth still clenched in anger, “may I please have the book back?”

“Huh,” he murmured, slapping the book closed and looking up at me in curiosity. “And Ty said you had no manners.”

I'd take that up with Ty later, but in reality, that was the extent of my attempt at manners. Abandoning all pretense of ladylike decorum, I darted forward as quick as a whip and snatched the book from Zan's grip. Unfortunately for me, he was no lady either and retaliated with equal speed as he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me clear off balance and into his lap.

“Luna, darling,” he teased. “Falling for me so soon? What will my brothers think?”

“Brothers?” I frowned, struggling in his grip and getting nowhere. “Ty and Lee are your brothers?”

Zan made a noise in his throat, then shrugged. “As good as. We're all very close.”

“Do you intend to let me go?” I asked in a sharp tone, desperately trying to ignore the fact that I was sprawled halfway across his lap with my palms pressed to his chest, our faces mere inches apart. “I hardly think this would be appropriate behavior. As an etiquette tutor, you would know that.”

His grin spread, but he didn't make any move to release me. “I think you're a woman of many secrets, Luna... so I'll cut you a deal.”

I snorted and rolled my eyes at what was undoubtedly about to be a terrible deal. They always were. “Go on then,” I said in a dry voice.

“I'll help you learn these correct curtsey forms if you provide me with some entertainment.” His dark eyes glittered with something dangerously close to mischief. “Tonight, instead of dinner, there will be a dance. It's meant to be a surprise—an additional etiquette test to see how you all handle yourselves dancing with noblemen.”

“Fantastic,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “Another excuse for those arrogant pricks to objectify the women who are literally dying to become wife to one of them.”

Zan barked a laugh. “Lee wasn't joking about your distain for the royal princes. Well, this is going to be fun. When one of the princes asks you to dance—because one of them will—you're to find a reason to kiss him.”

My jaw dropped open, and I almost forgot the compromising position he held me in.

“Sorry, fucking what now?”

Zan smirked. “You heard me, little Luna. Do we have a deal?”

I narrowed my eyes at him in suspicion. “How will you know if I do it or not? Last I checked, tutors weren't invited to dinner.”

“They needed more dance partners for all you lovely ladies, so some staff have been invited. In disguise of course.”

“Of course,” I murmured, thinking of the masks we were all required to wear. It'd be almost impossible to pick Zan out of a crowd if the masks were elaborate enough and especially if there were more than one brunette man... which was sort of a given. Shit. I was going to have to do this...

“And you'll teach me all seven curtsey forms before we have to return for the test?” I pursed my lips and squinted at him, searching for some additional loophole.

His lips twitched like he was holding back a smirk of triumph, and I seriously considered punching him in the balls and winging the damn test. But there was the small matter of getting poisoned if I was bottom of the class, not to mention the damn binding oath forcing me to try my hardest to win.

“I will,” he agreed. “But you won’t have much time left to find discussion topics. Some of these forms are really difficult.”

It was my turn to look smug, and I gave him a sly wink. “I don't need any time. You already gave us all the information we needed.”

Zan threw his head back and laughed at this, and I instinctively clapped a hand over his mouth to shut him the hell up. We were still in a library, and I desperately didn't need someone coming up to the mezzanine and finding me in his lap—willing or not.

He removed one hand from my waist to pry my fingers from his face. “Not just a pretty face and abrasive personality, huh, Luna?” He held that same palm out to me to shake. “Do we have a deal?”

Grumbling to myself, I scowled but took his offered hand. “Deal. But if I get beheaded for being inappropriate with a royal, I will come back and haunt your snarky ass.”

He snickered another laugh but finally released me. “Well, let's get on with this then. Hopefully you're a fast learner.”