Page 133 of The Alien's Vicious Starflash Manor

“Beautiful,” she announces.

Once again, Izzy and I are dressed in blue and silver, beautiful new gowns carried in by Madame Evangeny’s minions. Izzy’s dress is silver with navy blue embroidery. Mine is once again Cinderella blue with silver embroidery.

“At least your dress matches—” Izzy begins to say, then glances at my wrists and gasps as she realizes the ribbons are gone. “Wait. What happened?”

“I thought it would be better if I got rid of them.”

She squints at me as if trying to ferret out some secret—but the last thing I want is to tell her what happened between me and Ivrael.

“Come on,” I say. “Let’s go do this.”

The duke escorts us down to the courtyard, and as we walk through the doors, I realize this may be the last moment I ever spend in Frost Manor.

The courtyard glitters with fresh snow as we step outside. An elaborate, blue-and-white coach stands ready, the six ice horses already harnessed to it stamping their translucent hooves, their manes rippling in the frigid breeze.

This isn’t like my previous journeys to and from Starfrost Manor—no more simple ice horses for direct transport.

No, this is a statement, a declaration of Ivrael’s status as one of the most important nobles in the realm.

Beside me, Izzy draws in a sharp breath.

“Damn,” she whispers, her eyes wide with wonder. I squeeze her hand, remembering my own first reactions to Ivrael’s magical creations.

“I wanted to come wish you good travels,” Adefina says from behind us.

“Oh!” I turn around and throw my arms around her soft form. She smells like fresh-baked bread.

“Now, now. None of that. I’ll be arriving at the palace my own self soon enough.” But she’s smiling, and her eyes are suspiciously bright.

Kila buzzes anxiously around my head. “I should go with you now! What if something happens? What if?—”

“You’ll be safer traveling with Adefina and the maids,” Ivrael interrupts, his tone brooking no argument. “I’ve arranged for another carriage to bring you all later today.”

“Promise you’ll wait for me?” Kila’s tiny voice wavers.

“Of course. I’ll always wait for you. Now go back inside before you freeze.”

Kila laughs and buzzes back over to Adefina. The raya is still fussing at the cook when they slip back around the side of the house, to the kitchen entrance.

Lucilline curtsies deeply. “Have a good journey, my ladies.”

Several footmen traipse out of the house carrying large chests, and Lucilline gasps. “Here, now. Be careful with that.”

The maid begins directing the footmen just as Rhaela moves toward Izzy with uncharacteristic hesitation. Their embrace is brief but charged with meaning, and I pretend not to notice how they linger just a moment too long.

“Lord Vazor.” Ivrael says as the firelord makes his way down the stairs. “You have my thanks.”

“And you have mine, Your Lordship.”

The two noblemen clasp hands briefly, and then both turn to look at me and Izzy appraisingly.

“Remember,” Lord Vazor addresses us, “at court, you’ve never met my daughters. The success of our plans depends on absolute discretion.”

“Of course, my lord.” The formal words feel strange on my tongue after everything we’ve shared.

“Right,” Izzy murmurs. The firelord glances between her and Rhaela.

“Don’t mind him.” Harai hugs me with surprising warmth. “As soon as we’re formally introduced at court, it can all go back to the way it is now.”

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