SOPHIA

The carriage stopped at the entrance to the Governor’s mansion. We donned our masks and alighted from the conveyance.

While the Capital was where the Emperor lived, this region of the Northern Realm was governed by Horatio Devine.

The Northern Realm had eight regions, and the Imperial Region was the largest. All eight governors were advisors to the Emperor, but only he had the ability to make laws, appoint Court members, and generally everything else involved with ruling the Northern Realm. However, the day-to-day running of each region was left to the governors.

The mansion was huge, sprawling, and sparkled in the lights of a hundred torches that lit up the pathway. As we walked up the stone path to the entrance, Nathan pointed out various things about the mansion.

"It sparkles because there are gold flecks in the white stone. This was originally a palace for the third emperor. It’s older even than the Imperial Palace. The fourth emperor is the one who started building the Imperial Palace, but he died before it was completed. His son finished it, and every emporer since has added buildings, tributes, and statues of their own."

"What are those creatures sitting on the edge of the roof?"

"Gargoyles," said Nathan. He stopped and pointed one out. "There’s a legend that when the Northern Realm was discovered by our ancestors, they came upon these creatures. They tamed them and trained them to be guardians of our people."

"Are they real?" I asked, fascinated.

"Doubtful, though all myths start with a seed of truth. Many people added stone effigies of the creatures to their homes for protection against angry spirits and demons. Even Silverkeep has them." He leaned down and whispered, "Some people say they come to life at night and eat the souls of evildoers."

I laughed. "Nathan! That’s not true."

"It might be," he said, tapping the end of my nose. "But you don’t need a gargoyle, my love. You have me."

Happiness danced through me like a thousand butterflies had taken flight within me. I held on to his arm, smiling, as we entered the mansion and went to the ballroom.

"Do you think Jace and Penelope are here?" I asked as I looked at the crowd of nobles. "It seems like the whole realm is here."

"I don’t think Jace would miss an opportunity to network. He doesn’t want to stay a brigadier general. He’s more or less a paper pusher. He’s never even seen combat." Nathan gave me a brief kiss. "Let’s not talk about him. We’ll deal with Jace, Penelope, your marriage, and the Willowmarch secrets starting tomorrow. Tonight, let’s just enjoy ourselves."

Before I could agree whole-heartedly, he whisked me onto the dance floor, smoothing inserting us into the flow of twirling dancers.

***|***|***

JACE

I wore a plain black mask that only covered my eyes. I wanted to find Fabian as quickly as possible. I don’t know what he did to Courtesan Lila to earn her wrath, but knowing him, it was probably deserved. I thought about the way he offered marital advice at the Hunter’s Ball. As if he were some sort of relationship guru. He treated women like playthings.

And now he would pay a price.

Guilt weighed on my heart like a heavy stone. Fabian wasn’t a bad guy. He had lots of friends, and he knew how to have fun. So what if he wasn’t the best boyfriend?

The gold case seemed like it was burning a hole in my pocket. I stopped in the ballroom, and watched the dancers. A couple wearing similar clothes and matching silver masks whirled past me. I stared at them as they made the circuit. The man leaned down and whispered in his partner’s ear, and she laughed merrily.

Why did they look so familiar?

Hmm. I probably knew them from somewhere in the circle. It was a small world for the nobles in the Eighth Region. I scanned the room looking for Fabian, but I should’ve known he wouldn’t be here. He didn’t like dancing.

He liked drinking, smoking, and gambling.

I knew there was probably card tables set up in another room. All I had to do was follow the smoke down the hallway and into a large room that was filled with card tables, men smoking and drinking, and women sitting on laps and giggling.

Fabian was in the back right corner. A fulsome blonde sat on his lap. She was obviously a courtesan, one lower in status than Courtesan Lila, who was a top-tier companion. This woman was mid-level at best.

Usually Fabian was pickier. He might like women, but he rarely fished in dirty ponds.

"Fabian," I said as I came to the table. "Winning or losing?"

"At cards? Losing miserably. But Lucy here is comforting me in the best way." He smiled at her, and she giggled, hiding her mouth behind her hand in an attempt to be coy. Her cheeks were colored bright pink and her eyes painted with gold glitter. She wore a wig like the noblewomen who sought to be fashionable, but hers was much lower quality.

It seemed obvious to me she’d latched on to Fabian in the hopes of earning more money than she was worth.

"Do you want to keep losing, or would you like to drink with me?"

"I fold," he said, tossing his cards to the table. "Lucy, my love, I’m afraid this is where we say good-bye."

"Mr. Velle," she whined as she pouted too red lips. "You promised me a walk in the garden."

"I did, didn’t I? Tell you what. Why don’t you meet me at the yellow rose bushes near the front? Say, half an hour?"

Eager, she nodded happily. "I’ll see you soon, Mr. Velle."

Fabian offered her a smile and a pat on the butt. She rose from his lap, and he stood. She couldn’t hide the greed in her gaze.

"Good-bye, my love," he said and blew Lucy a kiss.

She pretended to catch it.

"You’re disgusting," I said as we walked away. "Are you really going to meet her?"

"Hell, no," said Fabian. "I won’t dip my pen in that dirty inkwell." He rubbed his hands together. "Come, dear friend. Let’s go get drunk and find better women."