I managed to sleep for a few hours. It was strange to finally be able to without my stomach deciding to throw itself out my mouth.

It was dawn. Right on time. I got up and slipped the gown on. Last night, Avaloryn came into my tent and dyed my hair a dark brown color. She said it was a temporary dye, and that after a few washes, the color will go away.

She walked into my tent with Henneh and sat on the ground. "Let's get you ready," Avaloryn said, patting my face with a brush.

Henneh began smoothing my dark brown hair back. "We're going to straighten it behind your shoulders. Your neck and collarbone will be exposed that way."

I nodded.

Not understanding why, Henneh and Avaloryn began talking with me. Joking around.

*~⚜️~*

Avaloryn strapped a dagger under my gown and on my thigh. "Use this only if you need to," she said.

We exited my tent and made our way over to the middle of the camp. Henneh, Rysdan, and Avaloryn all went into one wagon. Nylas was sitting in a carriage, and beside him was another carriage. A black and gold carriage with rims that trailed up the sides like vines.

Ashe stepped out from the carriage, a wide smile on his face as he laughed with Nylas. His suit fitted him even better than it did yesterday, and his hair was lighter than usual. He was holding onto two things in each hand.

Nylas nodded and went to the seat in the front to steer the horses. Ashe opened the carriage door and was about to go in, but then he stopped and looked back.

I smiled and went over to him, noticing when he was holding. Two scrolls in one hand, and two masks in another.

"You look handsome, Knightley," I told him, swinging myself up and into the carriage and taking a seat.

Ashe swung himself in and shut the carriage door. Silently, he handed me a beige masquerade mask with feathers splayed out from the top corners. As he put his on, I put mine on and looked at my reflection through the window. I was unrecognizable.

The carriage jolted forward. I kept my gaze out the window, refusing to give Ashe any satisfaction in talking with him.

I didn't understand why he'd talk with Nylas or Rysdan. Did he hate me? I didn't think he had much room to hate me—especially considering the fact that I came along on this mission. He should be grateful—

"You look... decent," I heard Ashe whisper from across me.

Heat pooled to the tips of my ears. I swallowed hard and glanced at him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to sound intrusive." Ashe quickly looked out his window, his chin resting on his hand.

I held back a smile and turned my attention back to my window.

*~⚜️~*

The carriage stopped in the courtyard of the Palace. Couples were already dispatching themselves in, their clothes shimmering in the early evening light. Torches lined the sides of the staircase, illuminating the roses that were planted around.

I was home.

Ashe opened the carriage door and reached his hand in, helping me out. "It's been a while since you've seen this," he murmured into my ear.

I couldn't stop looking around. The Palace looked the same, even when it was missing me. Maybe Diana hadn't been looked for me. Maybe Nylas said she was to make me feel better.

We walked up the staircase together, our arms laced together. I caught Ashe forcing a smile as we walked up, and I did the same.

Once we finally got into the Palace, we were led to the grand ballroom by a guard. The inside of the Palace still looked the same: marble floors, pillars of porcelain, large chandeliers. Nothing was different.

The guard opened a set of double doors, and Ashe and I faced the grand ballroom. There was a staircase that went down and led to the ground, but we stood at the top, staring out at the sea of dancers.

Ashe handed the guard two scrolls.

"Lady Lydia and Lord Byron of the Golden Isles of Entorre," the guard announced.

We made our way down the steps. I casually glanced around, trying to find my sisters. My eyes paused at my father, who was seated at his throne wearing blood red clothes. He was talking with my mother, who looked exhausted.

"Stay away from anyone that could recognize you. Act like everyone else, and when you see me tap my thigh, you come to me. Understand?" Ashe whispered to me.

"Understood." We weaved through the guests and made it to the parlor tables that had glasses of wine resting atop. "What are we trying to do?"

Casually, Ashe took a sip of red wine and said, "I know that you have the real Amulet."

I nearly choked. My eyes buzzed around and landed back at him. "What?"

He put a finger at his lips. "You and I will make an escape through the back garden. There's a catacomb entrance there."

"You're not mad?" My eyes widened as I saw a couple walk over toward us.

"I would've done the same—Hello, Lord Darion." Ashe—I meant... Lord Byron gestured for him to come over. "Please, let me introduce you to Lady Lydia, my wife."

Lord Darion and his wife, who I was sure was Lady Katrina, stood at our table. "Ah, Lady Lydia! I remember coming to your birthday ball many years ago in the Golden Isle. You've grown so much." Lady Katrina placed a gloved hand over mine. "I do hope you learned to walk with heels."

I glanced at Ashe, who was talking to Lord Darion about peace exchanges between Malakette and the capital of Entorre, Entorre City.

I tried to remember who Lady Katrina was. Some daughter of some ancient family in Entorre.

"How is Entorre City?" I asked, sipping some wine.

"Well, ever since the king's mistress passed, the city has gone to shambles. Honestly, King Lius is failing at control."

"But didn't they kill Igrette?"

Lady Katrina sipped wine and leaned forward. "They did. But apparently Igrette had a daughter that escaped to Thaeleck, and the daughter took a possession. Some goblet, I think."

"Igrette had a daughter?"

"In secret." Lady Katrina flicked a fallen piece of hair behind her ear. "Some say King Lius is here to find the girl. Don't tell any Thaeleckean I said this, though. If they find out, King Lius will go mad."

Well... this was certainly information. Lydia knew about this. Otherwise, Lady Katrina would've never told me.

Quietly, I asked, "Do you think the girl is working with Ashe Knightley?"

Lady Katrina shrugged. "No one knows what the daughter is capable of. The last person she came in contact with was Odaya, but that was in December of last year."

That was right. Odaya was in Entorre was some time, but she came back after she retrieved the Amulet.

Oh, Saints. That was the possession. It was the damned Amulet, wasn't it? But who was the girl that aided Odaya?

"Lady Lydia, would you care to dance?" Lord Byron—Ashe Knightley—asked with an outstretched arm.

"Of course, my Lord." I took his arm and made our way to the dance floor.

"It seemed like you two were having a fairly interesting conversation." Ashe began to dance, not bothering with showing off.

"Odaya and a girl stole the Amulet and brought it here."

"The girl is Avaloryn."

My jaw threatened to drop, but I kept my composure. "That's why King Lius wants to find Ashe Knightley—you, I mean. They want to find the girl and the Amulet."

Ashe's eyes widened. "King Lius has always been an idiot." He took my hands and placed them into his jacket pocket. My fingers touched a cold, hard thing. A chain. A necklace.

"What is this Amulet?"

Ashe quickened the steps of our dance, keeping up with the tempo of the violin and cello. "The rawest of magic. A key to Cadice's world."

My stomach dropped, and I could've sworn that nausea flooded me.

"It's a race to find Cadice's magic. King Lius has always wanted magic. He craved it. He killed his mistress because she learned magic, and he is willing to give up everything for it."

I remembered when King Lius had his mistress executed. The news had reached the stars themselves. Back when Kace and I were engaged, he told me how Nicholyn reacted.

"Why do you think Nicholyn and Manea were supposed to be married, Lady Lydia? Connect the points."

"But Kace and I almost married—"

"To get Kace closer to the catacombs," Ashe finished.

"Why are you telling me this now? Why didn't you tell me earlier—"

The music was getting louder and quicker. Every ounce of my heart was erupting with confusion and anger, and my hand twitched. I could slap him now.

"Because they're using you," Ashe finally said. "They used you when they lost you, and they used you when you were here. No matter what you're being used. And I can't help but wonder why they find you so fascinating?"

He knew. There was no way he didn't know that I was actually of House Cadice.

Ashe tightened his grip on my back. "We need to put on a show. Understood?"

I nodded.