Page 119 of Twin Crowns

“Only if you’re buying,” said Shen by way of agreement.

“Let’s go, sister.” Wren stepped out of the alcove, pulling Rose withher. “They’ll be missing you at the feast. You’re the main event, after all.”

“Rose,” said Shen, grabbing her hand. “Be careful.”

“You too, Shen.” Rose squeezed his hand and then followed her sister out of the bushes.

The Gevran drums thundered through the air as Wren slipped away into the darkness, winding her way toward the west tower. Back in the courtyard, the dancing had already begun, and Rose knew Ansel would be looking for her. With the shadow of Shen’s kiss on her lips, she lifted her chin and returned to the feast.

Princess Anika was dancing alone in the middle of the courtyard, swinging her hips to the beat of the drums. Twelve white wolves pranced around her, howling in time to the music.

Rose hovered at the edge of the crowd, her mouth agape. She had never seen anything like it in her life, and she didn’t know whether to be intimidated or impressed. Surely the Gevrans didn’t expect her to dothat, did they?

Never mind that now, she told herself. She would dance with twelve wolves if she needed to, but first, she had to find Celeste. Rathborne was standing at the edge of the dance floor by the half-devoured squid. He waved her over impatiently, and Rose obliged, scanning the crowds as she went.

“Where have you been?” he demanded through a mouthful of squid. “Prince Ansel has been looking everywhere for you.”

Rose opened her mouth to respond just as Celeste glided out of the crowd and jostled straight into Rathborne. She dropped the golden key with a faintclinkas he went stumbling into the table. He cursed as herighted himself, brushing bits of squid from his trousers.

“Oh, forgive me, Willem!” Celeste slurred, waving her empty goblet at him. “My feet have developed a mind of their own this evening!” She giggled as she skipped away, weaving left and right, as though she couldn’t quite remember how to walk.

Rathborne fumed at the back of her head. “Irritating,insolentgirl. If it wasn’t for her father, I’d have kicked her out of Anadawn long ago.”

Rose bent down and picked up the golden key. “Oh. I think you dropped this, Willem.”

Rathborne snatched it from her and curled it in his fist. “Go and find your prince. I won’t tell you again.”

Rose had barely taken two steps away from him when Chapman came scurrying toward her like a frightened, sweaty rat.

“You’re here!” he said, taking her by the shoulders and shaking her. “I knew it! Iknewit.”

Rathborne yanked him off her. “Chapman! What on earth do you think you’re doing?”

“Sir, there’s animposter!” heaved Chapman. “An imposter in the palace!”

Rose was flooded with alarm.“What?”

Rathborne grabbed him by the lapels. “Keep your voice down,” he whispered. “Are you trying to make a scene?”

Chapman shook his head vigorously. “The princess! She looked just like the princess, but she was running away.” His mustache twitched as he gasped for breath. “Running to the west tower! I came here as soon as I saw her!”

Rathborne snapped his chin up, snaring Rose in his narrowed gaze.

She was careful to control her face. “I think someone has had a touch too much frostfizz tonight,” she said mildly. “Perhaps Chapman should take a turn about the gardens and get some fresh air.”

But Rathborne had stopped listening to her. He was staring at the key in his hand. “Rose, go and perform your dance with Ansel. Chapman, alert the guards and check the gates for a breach,” he said, without looking up. “And for goodness’ sake,be discreet.”

Without another word to either of them, the Kingsbreath spun on his heel and took off.

Chapman whirled in the opposite direction, taking small hurried steps so as not to arouse suspicion.

With panic rising inside her, Rose threw caution to the wind and raced after Rathborne. It only occurred to her when she reached the winding stairwell of the west tower that she should have grabbed a weapon.

41

Wren

Wren used the iron key to slip into the west tower of Anadawn. If everything went as planned, she’d be returning this way in a matter of moments with Rathborne’s seer, and with her, his grip on the future. And she’d be freeing a witch from his clutches. She paused at the top of the stairwell and pressed her ear against the door, listening to the faint rustle of starcrests in their cages. She used the key again, the lock yielding with a faintclick.

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