The crown princess of Cervene leaned over the table toward Adaline and whispered, “Do you like Evzan?”

“What Mari?” Adaline asked, grimacing. She held her fork and knife perched over her plate and blinked at her sister. Her mind had wandered back to the night in the garden, as it had so often the last week, and she’d lost track of the conversation. “As in romantically?”

The two young women lounged in the crown princess’s suite, and the smells of roasted chicken and apple tartlet filled the room.

“Yes.” Mari batted her eyelashes. “You can tell by the way he looks at you; he likes you. He probably wanted to be your guard all along.”

Adaline screwed up her face. “Evzan is not the least bit interested in me. Not like that.”

“Are you quite certain, little sister?” Mari laughed.

“Of course. He’s a guard . . . oh wait! You’re interested in him . . .” The idea of Mari and Evzan being amorous made Adaline’s stomach clench and appetite vanish.

Mari sighed and leaned back in her chair, looking up at the ceiling. “No, but he’s so handsome—and a captain of the guard.”

“Which is still a guard,” Adaline pointed out. “You’ve never expressed any interest in him before now. And, that kind of thing . . . It just isn’t done by people like us.”

Mari nodded, her features sobering. “I know, but . . . Well, maybe for you. You’re not going to be Queen, so maybe you could marry for love.”

“Not Evzan,” Adaline said, her face flaming. She looked away. “Not anyone, probably.”

Adaline caught her sister’s gaze in the large mirror, and the beautiful crown princess smiled. Mari’s onyx hair fell in waves over her shoulders and down to the small of her back, as lustrous as satin. Her eyes shone like vibrant emeralds, and her skin was so fair it was practically the color of fresh cream. She was as dainty and feminine as their mother and even more kind. As the crown princess of Cervene, Mari’s hand was much sought after, and her stunning beauty only increased the number of proposals.

Adaline’s unruly hair was the color of wheat, her eyes like the muddy lake in the center of their kingdom, and her complexion like milk . . . after it had been mixed in oatmeal. She was neither dainty nor feminine, and she’d never been accused of being kind. Ever.

Mari’s eyes flooded with concern. “Are you all right?”

“Stop worrying about me,” Adaline said—for perhaps the thirtieth time. “If father allows me to join the army, and war comes to Cervene, I’ll see people die all the time.”

“Cervene is a country of peace,” the crown princess said, covering Adaline’s hand with her own and giving a gentle squeeze. “It’s not a weakness to be horrified by such a terrible accident.”

Turning away from both Mari’s scrutiny and comfort, Adaline took a deep breath. When she faced her sister, Adaline asked, “May I ask you something? What do you remember about the Curse of the Horsemen?”

“The djinntale?” Mari asked, drawing back, her eyes wide with surprise. Her features softened, and she sighed. “I used to love that story. I always hoped the White Horseman would fall in love with me and we would break the curse and rule forever.” She smiled at her sister and continued. “Do you daydream about the Horsemen?”

“What? No. It’s utter nonsense,” Adaline muttered, remembering the old myth. The Celestial Sister had to be referring to something else, or perhaps the trauma caused her to spout madness with her last breaths. At her sister’s persistent stare, Adaline said, “I thought there was more than just the myth. It doesn’t matter. I guess Evzan was right.”

“Ah, back to your guard?” Mari asked with a sly smile. “Do you think if I asked Evzan nicely, he’d teach me to defend myself too? I think it would be impressive if I could wield a sword or spear the way the guards do. Are you as good as he is now?”

Adaline frowned. “Did he tell you he was training me?”

Mari laughed, the sound of crystal flutes clinking in celebration. “No. But do you really think Evzan would risk his career to appease you without Papa’s consent?”

Of course not. But knowing Adaline had her father’s approval made the anxiety of the secret disappear. “Was Father very cross?”

Mari snickered. “Not a bit. In truth, I think he’s quite proud.”

Neither of them brought up their mother. If Heathyr knew about Adaline’s weapons training, the queen would not be proud. She’d be mortified. If she’d spoken on the matter, Adaline didn’t want to know.

A knock on the door interrupted their tête-à-tête.

“Yes?” Mari asked, rising from the table.

“Princess Mariliqué?”

Mari opened the door to a young page with a mop of typical-Cervenish blond hair. “Yes?”

“The queen asked me to deliver this,” he said with an adoring smile, handing her a sealed note. “They will meet you out front in an hour.”

Mari nodded as she ran her thumb over the wax seal. “Thank you. Will you please send my maid Sarith back up? She’ll likely be in the kitchens this time of day.”

“Right away, Your Highness.” He bowed and then left.

“Where are you going?” Adaline asked, leaning in to try and catch a glimpse of the contents of the envelope as her sister sat back down.

“It’s a secret,” Mari said with a frown. She set an embossed invitation and folded note on the table, and her shoulders slumped as she met Adaline’s gaze. “Promise not to tell?”

Adaline huffed. “Who would I tell?”

Mari moved the note, revealing the seal on the letter, a familiar crest of a stylized lion standing central in the red wax. The Lion of Beloch.

Mari smiled, but her eyes lacked the light and happiness that usually accompanied the expression. She tapped the thick paper on the table and said, “It’s the official invitation. Prince Nikolai Baine of Beloch has returned from his military tour. His father has invited me to be their particular guest at a ball in his honor.”

Beloch neighbored Cervene, and while relations between the two countries had always been cordial, neither side had ever proposed an alliance. “Why?”

Mari shrugged. “Mama says kingdoms need treaties like fish need water.”

“Why would they want a treaty with us?” Adaline knew almost nothing about Beloch except most precious stones came from the mountains within their country’s borders. Cervene’s topography had rolling hills her mother liked to call mountains, and while they were agriculturally rich, they relied on trade for luxuries. Beloch’s wealth was renowned, and with their abundance, they’d acquired all they could need and want. So why would Beloch want a treaty with Cervene? “What did Father say?”

Mari held up the note. “The only thing Papa told me is he and Mama will be accompanying me.”

Mari’s beauty, like Beloch’s wealth, was well-known. Of course she would be invited to be the guest of the prince. A pang of jealousy stabbed Adaline’s gut, mixing with the ever-resident insecurity. Spare-heir. Spare-daughter. Spare-person. An aching hollowness seeped through her chest. “When are you leaving?”

“Today.” Perhaps sensing Adaline’s hurt, Mari continued, “The courier was delayed, so we only received the invitation a few days ago from the tsar. It’s a ten-day journey to Strasny, so we’ll arrive only a few days before the event.”

“Oh.”

Mari laughed, but the sound was forced. “Oh, come now. You’ve always despised balls. Surely you’re not going to pretend to be jilted.”

“I’m not,” Adaline said as she forced a shrug.

Mari’s maid returned, packed a small valise, and then helped the crown princess into her traveling clothes. When Mari was ready to go and the porter collected her case, the three women went down to the foyer to await the carriage.

Adaline chewed on the inside of her lip, trying to come up with a reason to attend. “What if he has a younger brother?”

Mari tilted her head as she examined her sister. “Who?”

Adaline wanted to smack herself. She’d been silent for the last twenty minutes, and the question likely made no sense. “The prince, Nicholas. Or maybe a cousin . . . or something.”

The king and queen came into the foyer along with several servants and courtiers. The conversations amongst the group swirled around the girls.

Mari raised her eyebrows and whispered to Adaline, “It’s Prince Nikolai.”

“My darlings,” the queen said, approaching the princesses. She embraced Mari and air-kissed her cheeks. “You look stunning as always. I’m sure this will prove a most advantageous alliance for all.” The queen’s lips thinned, though her smile stayed fixed when she turned toward her youngest. “Adaline, darling, I expect you not to make a mess of things while we’re gone. Have Dimira help you with any questions that come up—”

“That’s enough, Heathyr,” King Jarian said, winking at Adaline. “Adaline is brilliant and fair. She could run the entire country if she chose to, not just the palace staff.” He kissed his eldest daughter. “And both of our girls’ beauty could shame the stars.”

“Jarian!” Heathyr exclaimed, her eyes wide. “You shouldn’t speak such blasphemy. The djinn will curse us.”

King Jarian winked again, and his girls giggled. “The djinn have better things to do than punish a doting father. They know my heart.”

Dimira came into the foyer, her glossy-black hair peeking out from under her wimple. Once married to King Jarian’s brother, she’d stayed with the royal family after her husband’s death, both as the girls’ governess as well as an esteemed member of court. Her gaze went to the king and queen. “I’m sure the djinn would never strike at you, Your Majesty. Nor the stars.”

“As the palace’s resident Celestial Sister, you would know,” King Jarian said with a twinkle in his eye. “And thank you again for your help guiding Adaline while we’re gone. How fortunate you’re still with us.”

“It is an honor.” Dimira pressed her hand to her chest. “Your brother, may his soul rest with Death, always said I had a good grasp of politics.”

Goodbyes were made, the coach packed, and the tension in Adaline’s stomach hardened to stone.

As Mari stepped into the carriage, Adaline blurted, “Please, can I come? I promise not to be a bother. If you want, I’ll pretend I’m mute the entire visit.”

The king and queen exchanged glances, and Adaline’s heart tripped when she saw her father’s expression soften.

“Jarian . . .” Queen Heathyr said and then pursed her lips.

“You know you can’t go, Princess,” Evzan said, stepping next to her and grabbing her arm. Evzan wasn’t much older than her, perhaps twenty, but his features had the sharpness of a man. Just over six feet and fourteen stone, with golden-blond hair and vibrant blue eyes, Evzan was striking. But even in this benign setting, his lithe movements and strength announced his prowess as a fighter. He glowered down at her. “We have our training every day, and you’re at a critical crossroads. Besides, you’re still having nightmares.”

An awkward moment of silence followed before several people spoke at once.

“You make a good point.” The king rubbed the trim beard on his chin. “Adaline—”

“Oh, let the child go,” Aunt Dimira said. She wrapped her hand around Adaline’s waist and squeezed gently, pulling the princess away from her guard.

“Yes, Father, please,” Mari exclaimed, poking her head out of the carriage door.

Adaline could feel the king wavering. “Father, please. I’d rather go with you—”

“I strongly recommend against this, Your Majesty,” Evzan said, drowning out all of the other voices. “I believe it is unwise to take both princesses, especially with Adaline unsettled.”

King Jarian nodded. “Of course, you're right, Evzan.” He turned to Adaline. “I’m sorry, my girl. I need you here to look after Cervene. Just until we get back.”

Adaline’s eyes filled with tears, just as much with anger as with hurt. How could her guard embarrass her like that? She swallowed back the emotion clogging her throat and nodded. “Of course, Papa.”

Dimira moved her arm up around Adaline’s shoulders. “They won’t be gone long, Princess, and we’ll have our own entertainment, yes?” Dimira gave another gentle squeeze and added, “We’ll have a private magic show in my room like we used to. And didn’t you wish for me to take you to the Abbess?”

Even knowing she might learn the significance of the list of names from the head of the Celestial Sisters, Adaline couldn’t make her heart hurt less. Dimira invoked the djinn to watch over the king, queen, and crown princess, said goodbyes, and then returned to the castle, but Adaline waited until the coach pulled away and was well down the tree-lined road before she faced Evzan.

With eyes still glistening with tears, she said, “How dare you?”

The striking blond man blanched. “Your father asked me to remind him if he were to waiver, Princess. I was only doing what he’d requested.”

“I don’t believe you,” she snapped. Without another word, Adaline turned and fled to her rooms.