Marlis shook her head. “You won’t need it.”

Although I hadn’t heard him, Gideon must have returned from his search some time earlier. He and I left our bedchambers and entered our shared sitting room at the same moment, and as soon as I saw him, my breath fled like a tidal wave retreating from a beach. The whole world diminished as my focus narrowed, encompassing only his singular figure.

Black suede trousers hugged the long lines of his legs, accented by tall, black boots. A crimson jacket cut in a short military style emphasized the breadth of his chest and shoulders, and a red gemstone winked in the folds of his silk cravat. A long sword in a dark scabbard jutted from his hip down to his knee, and a slim blade rested against his thigh for quick and lethal access. Gideon had always been good-looking, but at that moment....

At that moment, he was stunning.

I swallowed, trying to relieve the dryness in my throat. “A sword?” I said in a surprisingly steady voice. “I’ve never seen you use one.”

He frowned and stroked the weapon’s pommel. “It’s not my preferred form of defense. I should have a holster made for Sephonie so I can wear her at my side instead.” Sephonie was Gideon’s weapon of choice—a one-handed repeating crossbow. With it he’d performed remarkable feats of accuracy, and if anyone had found themselves caught in its crosshairs, they’d only lived to speak of it because he allowed it. “If I’m to be your guard, I’d feel better with her at my side.”

The candle flames around the room threw golden glints upon his hair. He’d drawn the strands into a long tail, but, as usual, a tendril had escaped and hung loose. The urge to tuck it behind his ear tingled in my fingers. Instead, I balled my fists and straightened my shoulders. “We should go. It would be bad form to keep the empress waiting.”

He crossed the space between us and crooked his arm. After I tucked my fingers into the bend of his elbow, he led me to the door. He smelled of soap and sandalwood—clean and male. My heart fluttered like the wings of a bird eager to fly. “Tonight, perhaps I will speak of your beauty.” His spoke in a low, gruff voice. “Perhaps you won’t flinch when I say you look lovely.”

Heat pooled in my stomach, and words failed me.

“It’s an honor to be at your side, Evie.”

I met his gray stare and cleared my throat. “I’m honored as well.”

He opened the door and drew me into the hallway. “Don’t wait up for us,” he said to his sister, though his eyes never left mine. “Something tells me this is going to be a long night.”

A heavy silence settled between us as we followed the footman. Unnamable emotions filled the air. Invisible energy crackled like static, and my blood had turned into sparkling, bubbling wine. “I take it you didn’t find Karolina?” I asked, breaking the tension.

He shook his head. “Not a whisper.”

“She could’ve been kidnapped.”

“With her horse?”

“It would throw us off. Make it look like she ran away.”

Thin lines appeared around his mouth like parentheses. “Either way, she’s gone for now. We’ll look again tomorrow. Knock on more doors. Ask more questions.”

“That’s a lot of doors, Gideon. Prigha is a huge city. I’m worried she’s already long gone.”

“I’m afraid of the same thing.”

The footman led to the first floor and into a dining room where gaslights glinted in sconces and in a massive crystal chandelier. Wine-colored velvet upholstered the sofas and chairs, and gold and green rugs complemented the plush furniture. The colors set a somber atmosphere, especially when compared to the riotous colors of the room in which the empress had first greeted me.

“Good evening,” said Otokar, who strode forward as we entered. He wore his usual dark robes, although silver embroidery embellished the hem and lapel in swirling symbols. Gemstone rings sparkled on his fingers. His hair lay in smooth waves as though recently combed, and he smelled vaguely of juniper. Yet a current of anxiousness buzzed around him like static electricity. His dark eyes seemed deeper set and more hollow than usual.

“Did you find anything with your, um, spells?” I asked.

His answer was a whisper. “Nothing yet.” His gaze slipped over me from head to toe before he met my eyes. “Nonetheless, the royal wheels cannot afford to stop turning, even for familial complications.” His attention shifted to Gideon, and his eyes seemed to darken. “You are most enchanting this evening, Evie, and your companion cuts a striking figure as well.”

I smiled at Gideon, who scowled at me and ignored Otokar’s compliment. “Doesn’t he? I’m thinking of ordering him to wear a uniform all the time. It suits him more than I would have thought.”

Gideon’s scowl deepened. Otokar chuckled and pointed to a footman bearing a tray of tall, stemmed glasses. “Champagne?”

The thought of drinking anything alcoholic turned my stomach, but I needed something to ease the dryness in my throat. “Water?”

Otokar turned to my companion. “Wine for you?”

Gideon shook his head. “I think it’s best if I keep a clear head, tonight.”

“Tonight, we are not working. We are pretending to enjoy ourselves.” The Magician crooked a finger at the servant, who trotted over dutifully and leaned in to hear Otokar’s whispered request.

“I am sworn to protect Evie,” Gideon said without a hint of humor. “That’s a duty I can’t afford to surrender for an evening of amusement. Especially not after Karolina’s disappearance.”

The Magician’s smile faded, but he made no reply. The servant returned with a glass of water for me, and I sipped it until the burn in my throat diminished. “Are the empress’s guests here yet?” I asked.

Otokar nodded. “They arrived earlier this afternoon. I cannot imagine what has been keeping—”

Voices raised in loud conversation interrupted his statement, and we turned toward the doorway as a boisterous group spilled into the room. A short, stout man led the pack. Round spectacles balanced on his nose, and a bushy white mustache and sideburns overwhelmed his mousey features. A bright-red sash cut diagonally across his blue brocade coat, and I wondered what the accessory signified.

Behind him trailed an older woman in gray silk, and at her side was a young lady not much older than me. She wore a dark dress cut in a modest style, and she’d twisted her hair in a rather severe knot. When the stout, mustachioed fellow saw us, a smile broke over his face. The white hairs beneath his nose quivered like an excited caterpillar. “Otokar, quel plaisir de te revoir!”

Of course he spoke Gallandic. I sighed and silently cursed myself, and my father, for the shortcomings of my education. He’d spoiled me too much. I’d adored him for it, of course, but now he’s gone, and I’m left struggling with things I should have learned as a right of birth.

Gideon eased closer and put his lips close to my ear. “They’re simply greeting each other. You’re not missing anything.”

I harrumphed. “I’m missing the fact that I don’t have a better education.”

“I’ll teach you, if you like. It’ll be a good way to pass the evenings, now that we have some leisure time.”

Otokar must have caught onto my discomfort. “For the sake of our guests,” he said in Dreutchish, “we should find some common ground. Lord Clément Moreau, Comté de Montigny,”—the Magician motioned to the stout dignitary—“it is my pleasure to introduce you to Evelyn Stormboune, Lady of Thunder and Crown Princess of Inselgrau.”

Montigny faced me and bowed. I returned a curtsey. “Pleasure to meet you, my lord.”

“S'il vous plait...” He caught himself, cleared his throat, and switched languages. “Please call me Clément.” A heavy accent flavored his words. Still, I understood him, and he understood me, and a great weight lifted from my shoulders. Perhaps I’d survive the evening without appearing like a complete dunce, after all.

“Pleasure to meet you,” I said.

“The pleasure is all mine, Lady Thunder.” The comté turned to the other members of his party and introduced the older woman, Deline, as his wife, the comtesse.

At her side, the quiet and indistinct young woman who had come in with the group curtsied, but her cold blue eyes never left mine, and I bristled at her impertinence. “Vanessa Furnier,” she said. “I am the comté’s attaché.”

I stepped closer to my companion. “This is Gideon Faust, my personal guard, and a dear friend.”

“We have heard of the troubles your kingdom recently suffered,” Clément said as he smoothed a finger over his bushy mustache. “But you look very well, considering.”

I clenched my jaw, forcing a smile. “Yes, considering.” The irony of his statement rubbed me like a rough seam in a saddle. He’d likely made assumptions about me based on limited and out-of-date information. He couldn’t have known how many times I’d faced and overcome captivity, slavery, and death.

“And what are your plans, now, Lady Thunder? Will you return to your kingdom and reclaim your throne?” An undercurrent of condescension ran through his words.

I drew myself up as straight as possible and attempted to stare down my nose at him, although we stood nearly eye-to-eye. Several sharp retorts came to mind, but I reached for diplomacy, despite the bitter taste of the words. “Thank you for your concern. Indeed, I do plan to go home.”