Page 84 of The Gilded Cage

“That’s settled, then,” Mirryn said, rising elegantly. “Send them a missive. I’ll have the kitchen staff prepare something delicious. We’ll make an event of it.”

“No, please, I don’t —” Kiva tried.

Mirryn waved her now empty goblet. “I’m kidding. We’ll keep it informal. No need to look so panicked, Kiva. It’ll be fun.”

Funwas the last word Kiva thought it would be, but Mirryn sashayed out the door before she could protest.

“They might not be able to make it on such short notice,” Kiva said weakly to Jaren and Naari. Tipp alone looked excited by the idea of meeting her siblings, his vibrancy returning now that he knew she wasn’t in any serious trouble.

“All you can do is ask,” Naari said, gesturing to the small desk in the corner of the sitting room. “Write your note, and I’ll have the royal courier deliver it tonight.”

Feeling pressured, Kiva moved toward the desk, her mind screaming that this was a bad idea. But with no valid reason to object, she reluctantly took her seat and pulled out a fresh sheet of parchment, frustratingly aware of Naari moving closer as she began to write.

Dearest brother and sister,

It was so wonderful being reunited with you today. Thank you for welcoming me into your home in Oakhollow, and for offering comfort when I struggled to control everything I was feeling. I’m confident the coming days will be better.

In return for your kindness, I wish to invite you to lunch at the River Palace tomorrow. Please reply at your earliest convenience, but I understand if you are unable to attend.

With love,

Kiva

“All done?” Naari asked, shamelessly reading over her shoulder.

Kiva nodded, hoping the near-rambling words were innocent enough to avoid suspicion — but also that her siblings would note the hidden details she’d offered, including that she’d found a way to repress her magic and how they needed to turn down her invitation.

Jaren approached, and Kiva braced herself for his perusal of her message, but he only gave it a passing glance before saying, “You’re not using your code?”

Kiva stilled. “Sorry?”

“The note you sent your family when we left Zalindov was written in a code,” Jaren said. “I figured it was a sibling thing.”

“You’re right,” Kiva said, her voice rough. “I’ll, uh, add something at the bottom, just so they know it’s definitely from me.”

Dipping her quill again, Kiva barely kept her hand from shaking as she finished her message.

Got stuck at Bog today. Told royals I was with you. They want to meet. Don’t come.

Kiva almost underlined the final two words, but she feared that might be overkill.

“What does it say?” Naari asked, squinting at the scribbles.

“That I’m looking forward to seeing them again,” Kiva lied, folding the message and writingTorell and Zuleeka Meridanon the front, before addressing it toThe Tippled Boar, Oakhollow.

Naari plucked the finished note from her hand, a hint of suspicion in her amber eyes, but since that was the guard’s natural expression, Kiva tried not to let it faze her.

“I can’t w-wait to meet your family,” Tipp said. “Mirry’s r-r-right — lunch is going to b-be fun!”

Kiva forced a smile, hoping she didn’t look as sick as she felt.

SurelyTor and Zuleeka would know better than to come.

And yet ... as everyone slowly dispersed from her sitting room, Kiva couldn’t help fearing that curiosity alone might draw her siblings to the palace, her gut churning at the thought of what the following day would bring.

CHAPTER TWENTY

That night when Kiva settled into bed, numerous worries battled for her attention. More than anything else, she couldn’t get Caldon’s furious face out of her mind. She’d never seen him that angry, not even when she’d stabbed him.

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