Three days later and the rain finally tapped out, replaced by this weirdly warm evening that didn’t belong in the calendar. The palace, man, it was humming—servants scurrying, rumors swirling, everyone pretending this banquet was all about the visiting bigwigs. Every hallway conversation had that sharp edge, like we all knew it was a setup with extra polish.
Invitation in my hand, wax seal pressed so deep you could feel the arrogance. “They’ve dressed this trap up real fancy, haven’t they?” I muttered, flicking the edge.
Wren peeked over my shoulder, smirk in full effect. “Naturally we’re going, right?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I said, folding the invite like it was just another bill. “But we’re not walking in blind. They want prey? Let’s be the hunters—just in prettier masks.”
Gideon had b
