Page 60 of Burning Crowns

‘Rose, wait!’ hissed Celeste, who was following close behind. ‘Are you sure we can just … be in here like this?’

‘Do you thinkShen–’ Rose nearly spat his name – ‘ever asks himself that when he arrives in Anadawn unannounced?’

‘Probably not,’ said Celeste. ‘But – and don’t take this the wrong way – it isn’t exactly your style to go sneaking around like this.’

‘I can sneak just as well as Wren,’ said Rose.

‘As someone who has caught Wren sneaking around several times, I have to say that your sister is not as good at it as everyone thinks she is,’ Celeste pointed out. They came to the atrium, where the Forever Fountain was freely flowing, the water lit from within by flickering everlights. ‘So … where exactly are we going?’

‘I told you. We need to find something to wear.’

Celeste quirked an eyebrow. ‘I thought we needed to find an ancient weapon.’

‘Yes, that, too! But first clothes.’ Rose stole a quick glance at her reflection in the fountain before ushering Celeste away from it.‘Shen’s hosting a party without me.Worsethan a party, in fact. We have clearly stumbled upon some kind of suitors’ event. And if I am going to confront him – which I will – I need to be looking my best!’

‘Of course,’ said Celeste, marvelling at the tapestries on the walls as they entered the west wing of the palace. ‘So, we’re breaking into someone’s room and stealing their clothes?’

‘Shen stolemeout of my bedroom when I was fast asleep!’ Rose felt compelled to remind her friend. ‘Surely I can borrow his cousin’s clothes for one night.’ She paused outside Lei Fan’s bedroom but then lost her nerve. Celeste was right. This wasn’t like her. It was one thing for Lei Fan to lend her a dress, it was another for Rose to simply take one without asking …

Just then, the patter of light footsteps echoed down the hall. Rose and Celeste froze, flattening themselves against the wall like a pair of frightened rabbits.

There came a shadow, and then a gasp. ‘Rose!’ Lei Fan’s voice rang out. ‘What are you doing here?’

Shen’s cousin looked radiant in an orange silk ensemble. The top had a high neckline but left her shoulders and back exposed. She wore matching silk trousers that brushed against the ground, and her glossy black hair was pulled into a high ponytail that had been wrapped in gold twine.

‘Hello, Lei Fan,’ said Rose, curtly, the affection she had for her friend warring with an unpleasant feeling of betrayal. ‘Surprised to see me?’

‘I’m thrilled to see you! I was starting to fear you weren’t going to come!’

‘What?’ said Rose, frowning. ‘How could I come to something I didn’t know about?’

Lei Fan’s face fell. ‘Oh no. We need to go and find Shen.’

‘Wait!’ Rose grabbed her hand. ‘First, I need your help.’

‘What is it?’ Lei Fan said, stiffening at the panic in Rose’s voice. ‘Is Anadawn in trouble? Is it Wren?’

Rose paused. ‘Well, yes to both of those things, actually.’ She batted them away for now. ‘But that isn’t why I want your help. I am severely underdressed. I need to find something to wear.’

Lei Fan’s brows rose. ‘Hang on,’ she said, looking between them. ‘Were you two about to break into my bedroom?’

‘Yeah, pretty much,’ said Celeste.

‘No!’ said Rose at the same time. She flushed. ‘We were actually hoping to bump into you here, and luckily we did!’ She laughed awkwardly. ‘Oh, sweet fate. How did you know to come here?’

She was answered by a low meow. Shadow, Lei Fan’s cat, poked her head out from behind her legs, her wide eyes simmering with suspicion.

‘Shadow came to fetch me!’ said Lei Fan, as though that was an entirely normal thing for a cat to do.

‘Oh, you sweet little thing – you must like me more than I thought,’ cooed Rose, reaching down to scratch behind her ears.

‘Or she doesn’t like you at all and wanted you to get caught,’ said Celeste. She waggled her fingers at Lei Fan. ‘I’m Celeste, by the way. Rose’s accomplice.’

‘My best friend,’ Rose clarified.

‘Of course,’ said Lei Fan, warmly. ‘I remember you well from the Battle of Anadawn.’

‘I was just telling Celeste that you have the most magnificent collection of dresses,’ said Rose.

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