Page 60 of Ties of Deception

I laughed and squeezed her arm. “You have always been a tremendous help, Flavia. And the incense wasn’t your fault. Neither of us knew what moon blossom smelled like or suspected it could be in anything other than a drink. Thank you for all your hard work.”

Her face softened a little in gratitude. Then she pushed the plates to one side and retrieved a pen and parchment. “Let’s make a list.”

It turnedout there was an awful lot to prepare for a state banquet, even if most of my job was delegating all the tasks. I was so nervous about interference from the competing Graces, that I oversaw much of it myself. At the end of each day, I tested every new decoration that was placed in the hall and had Flavia watch the servants involved with sharp eyes.

I couldn’t afford for anything to go wrong, and it was a relief to know Ethen and his Aida were looking out for potential sabotage too. At least they were people I could firmly trust, even if I couldn’t see what they were up to.

Every evening, as I attempted to sleep, my head buzzed with information about the nobles, lists of herbs I had or hadn’t selected for seasoning, and visions of how every entertainment I had organized might go wrong.

At least no other Graces had been invited, so any interference would have to be indirect. But it was impossible to constantly watch the actions of every servant. Since Charity, Constance, Hope, and Liberty were all hosting their own parties at exactly the same time, I hoped they would all be preoccupied. Prince Sebastian would be making a passing visit to each one.

Then, almost too soon and not soon enough, it was the morning of the event. I’d never felt so nervous in my, admittedly short, life. People this important required everything to be perfect. The empress would face genuine political trouble if I got something wrong.

I dressed in my finest clothes—bright crimson to win attention and to boost my own confidence—and painted my lips, eyelids and cheekbones with gold dust. I left my hair down after Sebastian’s compliment as any woman trying for his hand would do. And maybe because of what Ethen had said too. Just remembering the way he had spoken about my hair in low, mesmerized tones as he brushed it, made my stomach dip.

But right now, I needed to concentrate. He would be there, but it wouldn’t be him. I needed to steel myself for the cold, indifferent god of death and remember we both had a game of deception to play.

A servant announced my litter was ready, and I ran through my mental list one final time before Flavia opened the door and escorted me through the corridors. The litter was a small one, carried by only a single horse in front and another behind, meaning the team of servants accompanying me would travel by foot on either side. We had finished the decorations and final details last night but would still be early to make sure everything was in order. From the moment the curtains of the litter closed, my nerves grew. I hoped I hadn’t forgotten anything, and I hoped the other Grace’s would be too preoccupied with their own plans to consider sabotaging mine.

The litter swayed, and I listened to the sharp clatter of the horse’s hooves over the sounds of the crowd. The swaying and the heat were making me drowsy. I hadn’t slept well for days, and I valued my privacy too much right now to push back the curtains and let a breeze pass through. I settled farther back on the cushions when there was a strange scraping noise on one side of the litter.

I frowned, about to peep through the curtains to check what it was, when they billowed inward, and Ethen flew inside.

I sat there and gaped at him, waiting for the alarmed shouts from outside. But nothing came. He settled down comfortably opposite me as if nothing was amiss. The litter wasn’t meant for two, and the god was tall, so our legs brushed against each other. I pulled my knees up to my chin to make room.

“How…how did you get in here?” I hissed. “There are people everywhere.”

He grinned at me. “I was underneath the litter. I just chose my moment to swing up.”

I blinked at him. How long had he been under there?

“Why?”

“To see you of course. I thought you could use some cheering up before you entertained a room full of boring people.”

I folded my arms and mock-frowned at him. “You are one of thoseboring people. You’re invited, remember? Can’t you afford your own transport?”

He grinned. “Well, allow me a few minutes of your time before I have to be boring. It will be easier for me to ignore you if I’ve at least managed to talk to you this morning. Otherwise, it will be too painful—after I’ve spent the last two days missing you. And it will also be easier for me not to stare at how beautiful you look in this dress.”

I snorted, but the compliment had gone to my head. His silk black jacket was finely cut, emphasizing his broad shoulders, and for once, he didn’t wear his broad sword strapped to his back. He probably wouldn’t have been able to get into the litter with it on.

I arched an eyebrow, pretending that he was being a nuisance. “I need to be clear headed to entertain my guests—not distracted by you sneaking into my litter.”

He bent his arms behind his head and leaned back as if settling down, his legs crossed in the limited space. “Hmm. And do you have a plan for how to entertain the Aidis? I hear he’s a difficult one to impress.”

I pursed my lips as if in thought. “I think I’ve given up on him as a lost cause. Too grumpy. I’m going to concentrate on people who are more worthwhile. Like the lords from Hassia and Prince Sebastian.”

His eyes darkened a little, and he leaned closer to one side until one of his arms was touching mine. My heart stumbled in my chest while I pretended to be completely unaffected by his proximity. “Aren’t you worried the god will feel a little left out? He is the heir of the Unseen Lands after all.”

I shrugged. “Maybe.” My wit was drying up as his breath tickled my cheek. It was becoming harder to think straight. “Do you have any suggestions?”

His voice had lowered. “Well, I can think of one thing that would make himveryhappy with how the day has gone.”

“What’s that?” My words escaped as a whisper.

His gaze flickered across my face, admiring every detail. “A kiss.”

“A kiss,” I repeated, my eyes lowering to his lips.

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