Merrow laughed softly. “Honesty. Finally.” He made a swinging motion with his hand, giving his silent signal. Almost immediately, dancers flowed into the tent, moving through the spaces between the tables with mesmerizing and fluid movements. Their gold jewelry glinted in the light as they turned this way and that way. Laughter and chatter rose through the space. “Look around,” Merrow continued. “This is Emberfell at its height. Prosperous. Stable. Safe.”
Lyra’s gaze swept toward the servants moving silently around the edges of the tent. Many of them wore collars barely hidden beneath silk scarves. Their clothes were not the rags she and Kaela had been left in, but not the same finery she or any other guest wore. Most looked like they were braced for punishment. She hadn’t seen a single o
