Page 54 of A Dance of Shadows

The typical cards tables are relegated to one corner, where one of the Cotean nobles is demonstrating a game involving a deck that can swap suits between cards. Members of the Darium court clamor to toss blunt darts at an odd board that bounces them back to the thrower.

Another table is set up with a game that looks like a miniature version of croquet. Nearby, with raised eyebrows, Raul is prodding a mobile statue that swings its plaster sword as if in combat. And Lorenzo appears transfixed by the stage where our court musicians have joined the Cotean royal family’s.

The small platform has been enchanted to set off glimmers of illusionary imagery to match the melodies played on it. When I glance over, a sparkling rabbit bounds through the air aroundthe musicians before leaping higher to transform into a soaring bird.

Even the enhanced artwork on the ceiling overhead has tricks I haven’t seen anywhere else. One painted woman waves directly at me when I look at her; a scampering boy is romping from scene to scene rather than sticking to his own.

I follow his course as I drift through the room, as if I’m mostly interested in tracking his movements and not bringing myself closer to the king and queen poised near the wall.

I come to a stop next to them as if by chance and offer a careful but warm smile. “I’m impressed by the variety of entertainments you’ve managed to assemble.”

King Stanislas dips his head in acknowledgment, but the compliment doesn’t earn me more than the thinnest of smiles in return. “We add to our collection as we come across new amusements and techniques. Our neighbors across the channel have fewer qualms about sharing their means of play.”

Compared to their means of combat. My smile turns a bit wry. “I suppose that’s understandable. I hope you’re both feeling perfectly well this morning?”

Just last night, I had to watch him and his wife as well as Bastien and his brother turn sallow and shake with the initial effects of an asp bite. The antidote I brewed appeared to bring them back to rights within a matter of minutes, but I’ve never dealt with snake venom before. There could have been lingering effects I wasn’t prepared for.

The king’s expression tenses slightly. Before he has to answer, Queen Odile offers me a soft smile of her own. “Quite as we should be, thank you. Your gift is truly impressive, Your Imperial Highness.”

I grope for the right words to say to convey how much I hated what my husband did to them… without actually saying that outloud. “I hope that if you should have need of it again, it will be in more pleasant circumstances.”

King Stanislas’s attention fixes on me again with additional intensity. I can feel an echo of Bastien’s penetrating gaze in his matching dark green eyes. “We’ve seen many ways gifts can be adapted to produce effects other than those originally intended. Have you ever tried to put yours to uses beyond the medicinal?”

I can’t confess the many ways I’ve stretched Elox’s blessing beyond using it to cure, but even the toxins I’ve brewed have technically been medicinal. I pause, trying to think of how I might concoct something other than a potion or salve. “I have to admit it hadn’t occurred to me to try.”

The king hums thoughtfully—and I think with a hint of disapproval. He’d respect me more if I’d stretched my talents farther of my own accord.

I don’t want him writing me off over one failure of imagination. “It is important to me to offer my skills in every way I can. If there’s anything in particular you were hoping I might be able to ‘heal’ metaphorically, I’d love to try.”

King Stanislas gives a slight shake of his head. “We certainly wouldn’t expect you to strain your gift on our behalf, Your Imperial Highness.”

Before I can say that it wouldn’t be a strain at all, one of the palace staff approaches the king and queen with a harried expression. It feels more imposing to stay there listening in on their hushed conversation than to give them space, however little I’ve succeeded in my own goals.

We’ll be here in Delphine for at least a couple of weeks. I’ll have more chances—and I’ll have Bastien speaking on my behalf with his family.

As I drift toward another unfamiliar games table where metal pins jut from the polished top at seemingly random intervals, one of the Cotean courtiers ambles over to join me. He studiesthe game as if admiring it before shooting a sideways glance toward me. “Your Imperial Highness appreciates all the finer things in life, I’m sure.”

What kind of answer is he looking for? I settle for a careful, “I appreciate a great many things about your country.”

“And we have so many things to appreciate.” His voice drops a bit lower. “I oversee some of the finest fabric production in the kingdom. If our empress feels she needs more than the current trade agreements cover, I would be more than happy to make additional arrangements.”

Ah. This is exactly the sort of overture Bastien mentioned to me yesterday. The courtier is attempting to curry favor separate from his rulers’ decrees.

And he decided to approach me rather than Marclinus. A tingle of satisfaction passes through me despite the adjoining twinge of discomfort.

Someone here recognizes that I have power. And they want me to put it to use undermining the royals I’m hoping to turn into allies.

I waver between the conflicting urges to shut down his treacherous ambitions and to cultivate his faith in me. I suppose it’ll be easier to accomplish the former once I have more of the latter.

I beam at him graciously. “Your generosity is noted. I’ll remember who I should speak to should I have a need.”

The nobleman walks off with a preening air that leaves me feeling vaguely nauseous.

A moment later, Bianca glides over at my other side. “Already making new friends, I see,” she murmurs.

I can’t contain a dry laugh. “I’m not sure that’s the right word for it.”

“At least His Imperial Majesty is sharing the imperial fawning a little.” She glances toward the other end of the room.

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