Page 99 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
Julian added, “They are bakedspeciallyfor the married couple, andonlyfor them.”
“But … why did you give me these?” Gerda asked, confused.
“I wanted to thank you somehow … for everything,” the queen explained. “I helped bake the stardust skirts for Julia and Chloe, and those were my trial cookies.”
“You didn’t need to—”
“I really did,” Henrietta assured her.
“—but I willgladlyaccept your cookies.”
“Good.” Reassured that her gift was well received, Henrietta took her husband by the arm. “They’re made out of concentrated star mana, pixie dust, dried markleberry powder, nettle, minos cow butter, and the zest of a pink lime.”
“There is dried markleberry powder?” The vehemence in Gerda’s voice startled everyone.
“It’s very, very rare.” Henrietta gave her a sad smile.
“It’s time.” King Keith drew their attention to the other guests as everyone started to move. He recommended, “Let’s continue this after we find our place in line.”
Since this was a masquerade, there was no official order of precedence and no official greetings. Instead of announcing names, the attendants were greeting everyone and offering them a dance card with the schedule on the back.
“We can go looking for some at the market tomorrow,” Henrietta promised.
“She’ll be leaving with me tomorrow,” Julian said. “So you should plan something early. We are leaving at lunch.”
“No,” said a polite voice that cut in right behind him. “You are not.”
“Hello, Mother.” He turned, ignoring the cold chill that ran down his spine.
“My dear.” Grand Duchess Calisto was standing arm in arm with Their Royal Highness Rowen. The fox had on a long tight black dress, hoop earrings, and an ornate black tiara set with rubies.
“Your Grace,” King Keith and Henrietta greeted, Gerda a beat behind them.
“Youdorecall that you’re speaking at tomorrow’s closing ceremonies.” The words were spoken through a smile, but he couldn’t miss the daggers in his mother’s sharp eyes as she stared him down.
“Of course, Mother.”
“Which means you will be leaving,at the earliest,right after lunch,” Grand Duchess Calisto let him know.
“Of course, Mother.”
There was no way around it. Julian knew his mother would be there with knights in hand to drag him back if he tried to sneak away early.
“So I have you all tomorrow morning!” Henrietta clapped.
“You are both forgetting the council meeting, where Gerda has been summoned to speak,” Their Royal Highness spoke, and Henrietta’s shoulders slumped. The fox shot her a wide grin. “But in the meantime, let’s all enjoy tonight.”
The fox escorted Calisto into the ballroom ahead of them.
“I’m sure we’ll find some time before I leave.” Gerda shot Julian an apologetic side-eye that this conversation had foiled his plans.
Julian sighed. “With everything changed, you can take your time. We’ll meet at the stables after you’re done.”
“What if I don’t have a horse?” she asked quietly. Before he could reply, they were accepting their dance cards and entering the hall.
Julian immediately led her off to the side of the hall, where they were out of the way. “There are more than enough horses. I’ll have one prepared.”
A palace knight carrying a tray approached.
