Page 78 of Ocean of Ink
“Lady Kalyxi!” Blossom exclaimed. Her worry collided into Wren. “Tides, you frightened me. I came back to your room to find you gone. What are you doing in here?”
Wren rubbed her lower back with a wince. Blossom rushed to right the fallen vase. The maid used her apron to wipe up the spilled water.
“I was searching for a book to entertain me,” Wren lied as her maid cleaned.
“You could not have waited to be properly dressed?” Blossom tsked. “You are turning blue from the cold!”
“I am aware of the weather, Blossom,” Wren said tiredly. Her burst of energy was beginning to wane as the aforementioned cold set in.
“Forgive me, my lady, it’s just that I worry for you after your recent spells. You mustn’t put yourself at risk for illness. You are the heir to Riverwild, after all.”
Wren stiffened at Blossom’s words. They were true, but unwelcome. She did not wish to be heir and preferred focusing on bringing justice to her brother rather than her impending doom.
“Thank you for your concern,” Wren tried to make her tone amicable. “I will endeavor to behave cautiously in the future.”
Blossom dipped her chin. “Much appreciated. Now, shall we return to your chambers? Your breakfast awaits, and I have a topic that should be rather diverting as well. Better than a book, to be sure.”
“Is that so?” Wren asked as she followed Blossom out of the drawing room.
“Yes, my lady. Adira’s ball is approaching quickly, and you have yet to choose your ensemble! It is important that you do so in case any adjustments need to be made by the seamstress.”
The ball. Wren had forgotten about the invitation she received at the beginning of this week. A smile spread across her face, but not at the idea of dancing. No, a plan was coming to fruition. One that would make Castien proud, if it weren’t potentially to his detriment. She would go to the ball, make an appearance, then disappear while everyone else was dancing the night away and come right back to the little black book in the drawing room. The likelihood of running into anyone was slim, given that everyone should be at the ball.
It was the perfect plan. All Wren had to do was execute it.
Castien entered the parlor to a scene he had predicted: Finn sitting across from Wren, a teasing smile on his face. Due to the frigid weather, Castien suggested to Wren in his last letter that they meet in the parlor of the House of Arythes. It was not uncommon for women to call upon the men who lived in the house, but it was unusual for Castien to accept a guest. He preferred the privacy of the alcove, but the parlor was smaller and better heated. Finn’s presence was one he would have to tolerate.
His cousin lounged in a wooden chair across from Wren, wearing a pressed academy jacket and a feline grin. While Wren sat as demure and beautiful as always. Her posture was elegant, and her ensemble was without fault. She was adorned in red accents today. A silky sash was tied around the small of her waist. She wore matching ruby jewelry and rare red pearl hairpins, pulling back some of the curls that usually framed her face. The rest of her hair flowed freely down her back. Even her complexion seemed to coincide with the theme, as her lips werepainted the color of cherries and her cheeks were flushed from the proximity to the hearth.
“Cousin, how wonderful of you to join us,” Finn proclaimed in a genial manner. “I was just inquiring of Wren whether or not she had a companion for Adira’s ball.”
Castien did not so much as raise a brow, though his heart jumped in his chest.
“You cannot be provoked to curiosity, I see,” Finn smirked. “Very well, I shall not give you the answer since you won’t ask the question I prompted.”
Castien glared at his cousin, whose demeanor matched that of the Valengard crest: a fox.
“Are you not to meet with Alysia?” Castien asked.
“We have already solved our problem. It was quite easy. I don’t know why the ambassador gave us so much time. Alysia has decided to write the dissertation, as she memorized everything we spoke about.” Finn’s eyes glinted with mischief. “I take it Wren’s presence here means you have not yet found a solution?”
Wren watched the two men with bright eyes. Castien wondered if her good humor was due to them or something else.
“No, we have not, so I’d prefer if you left us. We need to work,” Castien grumbled.
Finn stood and buttoned his coat with a chuckle that bordered on maniacal.
“As you wish, dear cousin. I have matters of import to attend to anyway.”
Castien wore a flat expression until Wren’s gentle laugh softened his demeanor. He sat before her and soaked in the amusement painted across her face.
“Hismatters of importare procuring a date to the ball because I rejected his invitation,” Wren said, laughter dappling her words like sunlight through the treetops.
Finn placed a hand over his chest in a dramatic fashion.
“Lady Kalyxi, you wound me greatly. How could you embarrass me so? In front of a man of royal rank, no less!” he lamented far too loudly.
“I thought we disposed of rank upon becoming friends?” Wren asked, mirth sparkling in her blue eyes. It was all Castien could do not to lose himself in the shimmer of them. “Isn’t that right, Cas?”
