The midday sun bore down on Morganna as she and Lord Tiernan approached Citadel’s eastern gate. Though her feet ached and legs throbbed, she rushed forward at the sight of a heavy-eyed Wyck, who was waiting for them at the wall. Morganna watched with a grin as the young man threw his arms around his father.

“I thought you had fallen into The Falls! I’ve been waiting here for you since yesterday!”

As they let go of their embrace, Tiernan frowned at his son. “How long has it been since I last saw you?”

“I don’t know, four, five years?”

“You look exactly the same. Somehow I thought you’d look older.”

Wyck looked down.

“No matter.” Tiernan clapped his hands together. “I owe you an apology. We’re terribly late, due to a series of unavoidable delays, but that’s a story for another day. I’m afraid we’ll need to postpone our visit to the House of Ardon and head directly to the palace instead. Would you escort us?”

“Of course,” said Wyck. “That’s probably for the best anyway. Korbin’s mother passed on two nights ago and they’re all busy with the funeral preparations right now. They’re holding it tomorrow morning, before the start of the Spring Festival”

Tiernan’s brow tightened. “I’m very sorry to hear that.”

“Yes,” said Morganna. “Please send along my regards.”

Wyck bowed his head, and then lifted his face with a smile. “So! Shall I escort you then?”

He held his arm out for Morganna. She accepted the gesture and the three of them strode on.

They arrived at the palace’s broad marble steps in due haste. Just as they began to make their climb, Morganna stopped. She pulled Wyck to the side, gesturing for Tiernan to follow too.

“Wyck, take a look at us and tell me: What do you see?”

Wyck shrugged. “The Lady and Lord of Vaelion. Why?”

She shook her head. “Describe what you see, not what you know.”

“Well, I see two travelers. Tired travelers. No offense, of course.”

“And?”

“And…disheveled. Unwashed. Out of breath.”

Tiernan cleared his throat. “Alright, I see where this is going. Go ahead, Morganna, do what you must.”

Lady Morganna reached into her pouch to retrieve a small vial. After taking several deep breaths, she opened it and began to chant. She circled around Tiernan, making motions not dissimilar to a dance. From the vial she poured oil onto her hands, which she then rubbed across the backs of her fingers, and Tiernan’s as well. Next she moved to crown of his head, then to the crown of her own, then to the tips of his boots, and finally to the tips of her own. When she was done they both appeared to be well groomed and well rested. In fact, not one single hair was out of place.

Morganna turned to Wyck, who had been watching the ritual with a broad grin. “You look amused. Have you never seen illusion magic before?”

Wyck shook his head. “Not in many years. There aren’t many illusionists in the Capital, you know.”

“Perhaps you should visit home more often.” Tiernan’s deep voice erased the smile from Wyck’s face. “It’s long past time you became reacquainted with the pursuits of your own kin.”

Wyck’s eyes darted away and he cleared his throat. “Will that be all then? Or do you require an escort up the palace steps as well?”

“That will be all.” Tiernan frowned. “Go on and hurry back to your friend’s house. We will see you there once we’ve finished meeting with the king.”

#

Once through the grand doors of the palace, Lord Tiernan and Lady Morganna were led through the royal court and into a dining hall. Inside was a long, broad table. Around it stood the entire royal family, save for the children. King Vincent stood at the far end, with his advisor on his right and the Queen on his left. At the foot of the table stood the king’s sisters, with their husbands at their sides. They were all clad in fine robes in the colors of their houses.

King Vincent’s bloodshot eyes bore into Tiernan. A slow, unnatural smile crept upon his face. “Welcome, my guests, and sit.” He lifted his arms toward the empty seats.

All eyes trained upon the Lord and Lady as they made their way to their seats, which had been left empty at the center of the table. Every exhale in the room could be heard, as all waited on the king’s next cue. Morganna began counting her own breaths and reached eight when King Vincent finally took his seat. Once he did, the entire party followed suit.

Instantly, nine servants arrived to present the first course: Nine pastries, each uniquely decorated and ranging in size. Some were arranged high in spiraling towers, while others were shaped like tiny gems, containing detail so fine that one had to hold it up to their eye to fully admire the intricacies. A few were adorned with wisps of spun sugar, artfully arranged into the shapes of flowers and birds.

Every last dish was so beautiful that no one wanted to be the first to take a bite. They sat in silence until at last King Vincent picked up his spoon and cracked the golden caramel shell that sat before him. The rest of the table followed suit and out came a chorus of oooohs and mmmmms as a myriad of decadent flavors were devoured.

A sipping tea of fresh mint and rose petals came next, brewed with just enough honey to coax their tongues’ favor from sweet to bitter. Then, a selection of breads, fruit, and cheese. An exceptionally strong Blood Wine was served with this course, immediately soliciting fervent conversation.

At the foot of the table, the fair-haired Freyda began boasting of her children. “The tutor says Simon is an exceptionally bright boy. That’s the reason he doesn’t talk much. He’s simply too engrossed in his thoughts to bother.”

Morganna noticed Ingrid, the other royal sister, reflexively nodding every time Freyda paused, a habit no doubt formed long ago.

Freyda continued. “And Ravenna’s bright too. The tutor says that she has quite a mind for mathematics. She takes after Aunt Leah, of course.” She carried on about each of her children, uninterrupted by a single show of interest from any of the other guests.

At the middle of the table, Lord Tiernan began to share the tale of their journey with the king’s brothers-in-law. Morganna chimed in and laughed when appropriate, but split her attention to try to study the king. The Queen was chattering in his ear about the latest news and gossip from the lower Houses, but his eyes remained fixed on Tiernan.

“Lady Morganna?”

Morganna returned her attention to Ingrid, who had apparently been speaking to her. “I’m sorry, what was your question?”

Ingrid laughed. “I just wanted to know if you ever wonder what your husband thinks when he’s being quiet. Or is Lord Tiernan not the quiet type?”

Morganna tilted her head. “Lord Tiernan? Well, he’s not my husband - nor frequently quiet.” She let out a short laugh. “So, no, I don’t wonder at all.”

“That’s right!” Ingrid’s voice squeaked. “You don’t properly marry in Vaelion, do you? I had forgotten. My apologies.”

“Actually…” Morganna paused to consider her words. “We do have a similar tradition, but I imagine it looks quite different from your point of view. And in either case, we -” She looked pointedly at Tiernan. “- We would not be spouses.”

“Just lovers then?” Freyda’s husband, Ethan, whispered low enough that only Lord Tiernan could hear.

Tiernan made a gesture of denial before clearing his throat to interrupt the ladies’ conversation. “Lady Ingrid, Lady Freyda, on our way here I spotted a lovely purple flower growing on the cliffside. I was wondering if either of you could tell me its name.”

At this Ingrid’s eyes lit up, and she proceeded to share a wealth of botanical information with him.

To the relief of all, the arrival of the third course hushed the room back to its original silence. Great racks of roasted beasts came out all at once. Large silver fish covered in slices of lemon, small, herb-stuffed hens, skewered eels basted in honey, crabs so red that they shone brighter than a fire, glazed duck atop juniper berries, rabbit stewed with mushrooms, and in the center of it all, a proudly displayed king boar.

King Vincent cut into his meat and held a slice in front of his face, inspecting it. He then cast the same look towards Tiernan and cleared his throat.

“My friends.” Vincent took a bite, taking his time as he chewed. After swallowing, he continued. “I’d like to thank our Vaelish visitors for traveling so far to meet with me, all for the sake of their Kingdom. A gesture I will never forget.”

He raised his cup. “A toast!”

Morganna shuddered at the sight of his wine-stained grin. Around her the rest of the table was raising their cups, so she quickly raised her own too.

“To new partnerships.” The king winked at Morganna as the rest of the room chorused his toast.

“It’s been what? Ten? Twelve years since last you visited? I must say you look no worse for wear, Morganna.”

She forced a smile. “You’re too kind.”

“I must say, I’m surprised that the two of you would show your faces here again. I thought you’d be too ashamed. It seems I’ve underestimated you.”

Even above the glamour, Morganna could see Tiernan’s face turn red.

Hold it together, she willed.

Vincent focused on Tiernan. “So what brings you to my steps this time? Another treaty? A proposal perhaps?”

“My son,” Tiernan stammered. “We’re here to visit my son and thought you might find it rude if we did not meet with you as well.”

“Ah. I forgot you had a son here. Why is he here again?”

“I don’t entirely understand the reason myself, I’m afraid. But he has a friend here and so this is where he wants to be.”

“Does he have no friends in Vaelion?”

“I couldn’t say.”

“Hm.” Vincent turned to Morganna. “And what about you? You don’t have a son here, or any other relations as far as I know. Why did you decide to accompany this fine family man on his trip?”

Morganna feigned a calm smile. “Diplomacy, of course.”

The king grinned at Morganna. His teeth and eyes were nearly the same shade now, making his smile even more menacing.

“Diplomacy. What a noble cause.” He let out a laugh. “You know, it’s funny to think how so many men call me names for killing but one single man. And here you sit with the appearance of moral superiority, all the while stained with the blood of thousands. Is that your illusion magic at work, Morganna, making their blood invisible? Is that what they teach you to do in your treetop schools?”

Beneath the table, Morganna opened a new vial of oil - one that was clear and smelled of mist - and waited for the attention to leave her. In a matter of seconds it began to work. The king turned back to Tiernan, and the rest of the table busied themselves with their meals. Morganna took the moment to whisper a prayer for their quick return home. If she had been a mouse she would have found a hole at the edge of the room and scampered through it until she was far, far away. But for now she was stuck, waiting until the meal was done.

Across from her, Lord Tiernan grew even more flush. He was unaccustomed to insults, and the Shadow King wasn’t holding back.

But it was another voice interrupted the king.

“Dear?” The Queen said sweetly. “Before the meat grows cold, I was hoping you would tell me the meaning of your toast. To new partnerships?”

“Ah, yes. I was just getting to that.” He bore another purple grin at Tiernan. “Let it not be said that I don’t encourage initiative when I see it. As a reward for your spirit, I have decided to let you help me with a little project of mine.”

“A project?” said Tiernan.

“We’re building a bridge from my door to yours. A symbol of our partnership, you might say. It will forge a path straight over The Falls, and extend all the way through the forests to Kireene. An innovation for commerce that both of our lands can work on together – as friends.”

“An inspired idea!” Tiernan raised his glass. “I would be happy to help in any way I can.”

Lady Morganna felt a pang at the bottom of her stomach. But, the king was no longer glowering at her, or at Tiernan, so she allowed herself to relax.

As the final course was served, livelier conversation returned to the room. The men went on about gambling and sport, while the king’s sisters asked Morganna about the glass globe that graced the Hall of Elders. When they were finished, Queen Belinda leaned over and whispered in Morganna’s ear.

“Lady Morganna, before you leave, I wonder if I could ask you a question about the Star Reader. You have met her, have you not?”

Morganna nodded.

“Is she as good as they say she is?”

The corner of Morganna’s lip curled ever so slightly. She turned to the Queen and spoke one word.

“Better.”