Page 12 of Cursed Crowns

She scrunched her eyes shut. “Stop being so bloody paranoid.”

The door creaked open, and Wren jumped. “Hello?” she called out. “Who’s there?”

A familiar laugh rang out like a wind chime. “Don’t act so spooked. It’s only me.”

Celeste, Rose’s best friend, swept inside wearing a flowing amber dress and a matching headband inlaid with pearls. “I was bored so I thought I’d come check on you.” She wrinkled her nose as she surveyed the mess. “Thisis where you want to sleep?”

“It’s a work in progress.”

“Some progress.” Celeste snorted. “It reeks.”

“Clearly, you’ve never been to Ortha. Trust me when I tell you it’s an improvement.”

“Rose said I’d find you up here,” Celeste went on. “I think she’s hurt that you don’t want to help her plan the tour.”

“I’m sure she’s having more than enough fun for both of us,” said Wren dryly.

“You’re going to towns I’ve never even heard of.”

Wren groaned.

“Where are the guards, by the way?” said Celeste. “There are none in the stairwell.”

“They’re annoying. I sent them away.”

Celeste arched a slender brow. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? You know, given everything that’s going on with Barron. Rose told me that his followers have given themselves a name.”

“The Protector’s Arrows,” said Wren. They had received word of it yesterday morning. “Not very catchy, is it?”

“He should have gone with Barron’s Booze Hounds,” said Celeste. “They meet twice weekly in the Howling Wolf.”

Wren let out a low whistle. “Imagine that bar tab.”

“Glad to see you’re taking this whole thing seriously.”

“A scary name does not a rebellion make.”

Celeste swept a discerning gaze over her. “Have you decided what you’re wearing to the farewell dinner tonight? You might want to comb your hair. And maybe burn that dress. Also, leave the wolf outside this time. Everyone’s terrified of her.”

“Anything else, Chapman?” needled Wren.

“Just do as you’re told, for once,” said Celeste. “Tonight is important to Rose. She’s trying to raise morale in the palace before you both leave for your tour.”

“Then dessert’d better be good.” Wren stood up and dusted off herskirts. She reached for her satchel, earning another warning growl from Elske.

Celeste stared at the wolf. “What’s got into her?”

Wren shrugged. For some reason, she felt compelled to keep the discovery of the hand mirror to herself. Perhaps it was because of how special it was. Or maybe it was because she felt vaguely like she was stealing it. “She’s still getting used to this place. She misses Gevra.”

A narrow dent appeared between Celeste’s brows.

“Was there something else?” said Wren. “You look like you need the loo.”

Celeste fiddled with one of her gold earrings, her frown deepening. “Sort of. I don’t know.”

“Celeste. The anticipation is killing me.”

“I had a dream about you last night,” Celeste blurted out. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but...” She pulled her arms around herself. “Then you mentioned Gevra, and I suddenly felt like I should.”

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