“I was… quiet,” I said after a moment’s thought. “Always with my nose in a book. And I loved animals—still do, actually. Believe it or not, I actually wanted to be a veterinarian when I grew up. That was before I realized that Ravenwoods are supposed to be politicians, of course.”
Zelda’s eyes lit up. “A kindred spirit! I’ve always loved animals too. Birds, especially.”
“You do?” I perked up at that. “Do you have pet birds?”
“Oh, I have a whole aviary at my private estate,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Parrots, budgies, a bunch of other exotic kinds. My favorite, though, it my pet raven—Mel. She’s my best friend. You remind me of her, actually. Sans-feathers.”
I blinked, fully surprised. Zelda giggled and sipped her wine. “I mean no offense,” she said carefully. “Once
