25
T he Grand Alevine Opera was a massive structure of creamy arches and domed ceilings. The black marble floor shone like a mirror. Endless flights of stairs crossed over each other, leading infinitely upward.
“You and your party will be staying on the third level, Your Highness,” our hostess said as we hiked up the steps. Lady Ruan was a middle-aged woman with glossy black hair streaked with gray. She had all the formality and elegance of a noblewoman, but it didn’t take away from her open amiability. Her brown eyes sparkled with pride when the stairwell opened up to a lavish living area. “Your Highness, Lady Narcissa, here is your suite.” She showed us to a luxurious chamber of white and gold.
Bennett frowned. “Are we to share a room?”
Lady Ruan faltered. “Ah, apologies, Your Highness.” She offered us a sheepish smile. “If you prefer separate chambers I will have someone prepare another. For now, why don’t you both sit down? I’ll bring tea.”
“Thank you, Lady Ruan,” I said.
She departed, as did Lord Frederick and the others. I touched Bennett’s arm before he could leave.
He looked at my hand. I detected a hint of surprise before it fizzled out. “What is it?” he asked curtly.
“I need to speak to you.”
He took a step back. “I have duties to see to. Perhaps another time.”
I flattened my lips and took his wrist, pulling him inside before he could object. There was no sense in letting this drag on.
I seated myself on a plump armchair near the door. The room was flooded with skylight, but I didn’t linger on the lavish interior. Bennett rubbed his wrist.
“You are not cutting Maddox and Flannery from the Royal Guard.”
“Narcissa, they are not fit for their positions,” Bennett said, his voice deceptively calm.
I crossed my arms, peevish. “Do you ever raise your voice? ”
This seemed to irritate him. He stepped forward, fixing me with his hazel eyes. “Do you always concern yourself with the positions of guards?”
I stood. “What does it matter to you?”
“I am your betrothed. And for you to have gone off with one of them in the middle of the night at Vandil—” Bennett stopped abruptly, his color heightened.
I scrunched my brow, wondering what that had to do with anything. “My brother was helping me that night. He doesn’t deserve to be punished for that.”
Bennett blinked. “Who?”
“Maddox Greenwood.”
“Greenwood?” He looked taken aback. “So he’s...not a favorite of yours?”
“Pardon?” I sputtered. My face burned at his insinuation. “You thought I would be unfaithful to you?”
My offense seemed to surprise him. Bennett shook his head vehemently. “I—no that’s not what I meant,” he said. He exhaled. “It’s just the two of you seemed close. I...I made assumptions.”
I sat back down, reigning in my feelings. His poor opinion of my character was nothing new, after all. But to think I would have favorites among the guards!
“Forget it,” I said with as much composure as I could. “We don’t have time for this.”
Bennett’s voice grew quiet. “Time for what, Narcissa? Protecting you?”
Romance. Tender feelings. Ridiculous lovers’ spats. He admitted to being jealous of Maddox of all people. Wherever this conversation was leading, I didn’t want to go.
“I do not need to be protected,” I said hotly.
“You are the future princess.”
“I’ve been in danger before. I can handle myself. ”
He frowned. “Crown princesses do not handle themselves. Part of my duty is to care for you and—”
“ Care for me?” I laughed. What gave him the right to avoid me for weeks, then tend to my scratches and argue for my protection in the next breath? “Is this a performance for the public, like at Vandil? What about after the fire? Where were you then?”
The question hung in the air.
I blushed at the silence that followed. What a fool I was. What right did I have to want his care, especially when I injured myself due to my own selfishness? When I knew he would never choose me over the witches of Vandil?
Bennett finally spoke. “I thought you didn’t want to see me because it was my fault you got hurt.”
I stilled. “What?”
“Dragging you through the rain for an entire day was irresponsible,” Bennett continued. “You were exhausted and feverish. Then Lord Frederick came and I let you run off. I put you in danger when I should have protected you.” His eyes strayed to the scar on my neck. “Your mother’s letter...I shouldn’t have let you read it.”
He framed that night as if everything was his fault. But it was mine . Wasn’t it?
“T-The letter was addressed to me. Of course I had to read it,” I said, hardly knowing what else to say.
“You don’t have to associate with that woman anymore, Narcissa,” he said.
I parted my lips, taken off guard. What was he saying? That he wanted to protect me from Mother?
My heart soared on its own accord, but I reeled it back. Perhaps when I was a child I deserved to be protected, but I had long since passed the age of making my own choices. The things Mother made me do, I did them willingly. I did them because I craved her approval. Now I had to face the consequences.
Bennett ventured closer. “Did she ever hurt you?”
I gripped the armrests. Speaking to him about Mother was the last thing I wanted, especially after what she had done to the queen. It was the ugliest part of our past, the root of everything bad between us.
And he wouldn’t understand. How could I explain the raps on my wrist, the cold stares, or the sharp words any more than the affectionate embraces and pretty gifts? The days Mother was happy with me I cherished for too long. The days she was not, I could not forget even if I tried.
“She loved me,” I said instead, as if those words encompassed all. In a way, they did. I tucked my hands under my elbows. “In her own way. But...not anymore.”
Or perhaps she still did. Her elation through the letter was evident. It wasn’t difficult to imagine her back beside me, praising my progress and kissing my hair.
“Narcissa.”
“I told you I am fine.” I sounded like a stubborn child, but I didn’t care. I shouldn’t have dragged him inside to talk. I was more confused than I had been before. And he still seemed intent on firing my guards. “Don’t you have duties to see to?”
Bennett grabbed my hands, his expression earnest and confused at once. It was the look he had given me all of yesterday.
I sucked in a breath. “What are you—”
My annoyance snuffed out, along with all thoughts of Mother and guards, when he jerked forward and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. The gesture was achingly tender. I tipped my head back in surprise.
I recognized the feeling. He had done the same when I was unconscious. While he was...heavens. He had tended to me.
It was fortunate I was sitting, otherwise I would have melted into a puddle beneath his warm eyes. They widened, as if he had surprised himself. My gaze fell to his lips.
Bennett pulled away abruptly, stumbling over a ridge in the carpet. “Apologies. I—excuse me.”
I flushed as he gave an uncharacteristically awkward bow. He fled to the door, but before he could make his escape, Ulysses appeared.
“Your Highness! Am I interrupting?” the steward asked.
“I was about to mail my reports,” Bennett said quickly.
“I see.” Ulysses cleared his throat and glanced between us. “A letter came from His Majesty, and...well. Read for yourself.”
Ulysses held out a cream envelope. Bennett took it and scanned the contents. The embarrassment on his face gave way to something more serious. A beat later, he stuffed the letter into his coat pocket.
“So Father disapproves of the hearings in Vandil,” Bennett stated. “All the more reason to mail my reports.”
Ulysses sputtered. “Wait. Your Highness. There’s something else you should know—”
The steward barely took a breath before Bennett left. Ulysses looked from me to the hallway until finally scrambling after the crown prince, coat flying.
My forehead was still damp and tingling by the time Lady Ruan came with tea. “Where is Crown Prince Bennett?” she asked, looking around the suite.
I wiped his kiss away with the back of my hand. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach. I didn’t dare identify it. “He left for errands. ”
“Ah, what a shame. I was about to propose a tour,” Lady Ruan said. “I suppose we can postpone it until he returns. Celeste was looking forward to meeting you.”
“Celeste? As in Celeste Carr?” I said.
She brightened. “So you’ve heard of her! She would be thrilled to know.”
I scrambled at the chance to distract myself. Rising soprano Celeste Carr. This could be my chance to see if she was connected to the rebels.
“Wait!” I said as Lady Ruan was about to leave. “Perhaps you could still give me the tour? I’m sure Bennett wouldn’t mind.”
Lady Ruan paused. “Well, alright. I suppose I can show you the auditorium and backstage,” she said, smiling. “I’ll be back to get you in ten minutes. Bring some friends along, if you wish.”
Once Lady Ruan left, I scoured the floor for Giselle. She was the only one I could think of who would want to go with me.
I eventually found the seamstress kneeling in an outdoor hallway with stone arches overlooking the city. Another figure sat beside her.
“Maddox?” I turned my collar up as I approached the pair.
Maddox looked up glumly, his eyes bloodshot. Pippin was curled up in his arms. The tabby enjoyed attention from everyone, it seemed. “So? Did His Highness decide to remove me after all?” His voice was a croak as if he had been crying the entire night.
Giselle stood and handed Misty to me. “He’s been like this all day,” she whispered. “You better have good news.”
I shifted Misty onto my shoulder and told them that Bennett hadn’t made a decision. “He left before I could convince him,” I lied. I hoped the cold was enough to excuse my flushed cheeks.
Maddox groaned and hugged Pippin to his chest, burying his face into his fur.
Giselle sighed. “You should have kissed him. That would’ve changed his mind.”
I knelt before Maddox. “Everything will be fine. And if you do get removed from the Royal Guard, I will tell Father it was for unfair reasons.”
“It won’t matter to him,” Maddox said, his voice muffled by Pippin’s fur. “I’ll still be a failure. He’s coming here, did you know? With King Maximus.”
“The king is coming?” I asked, surprised.
Giselle squatted beside me. “King Maximus is paying a surprise visit to see how we’re doing, since this is the last stop of the tour. The whole procession knows but...” She paused. “Rats. I don’t think I was supposed to tell you that.”
“I’m going to get a scolding and then he’s going to disown me,” Maddox said. A sob tore out of his throat.
I bit my cheek, not entirely sure how to proceed. He had never been in such a state before and I had little experience in comforting people. “Do you two want to join me for a tour of the opera house?”
Giselle heartily agreed and dragged Maddox to his feet, though he looked like he wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole. After some cajoling, I managed to get him to wipe his face and hand Pippin over to Giselle.
We met Lady Ruan at the stairs. She seemed surprised at my choice of company, including the two cats, but proceeded with the tour graciously .
“You have already seen these grand steps, of course,” Lady Ruan said as we descended the endless flights of stairs, “but the real star of the show is the auditorium.”
She was right. The auditorium had rows upon rows of velvet seats and a high, domed ceiling from which a magnificent crystal chandelier hung. The stage was framed by yards of royal purple velvet, drawn open to expose a painted background of a starry night. Stagehands hauled a heavy wooden board in the shape of a crescent moon across the stage. Behind them, a swath of painted clouds were suspended on cables.
Giselle gave a low whistle. Even Maddox forgot to look miserable.
“A peek at tomorrow’s show,” Lady Ruan said with a wink. “It is Celeste’s opening night after a month break. We expect to have a full auditorium for the rest of the week. And bless her heart, she decided to give the witches of Alevine free entry for one of her performances.”
I shifted Misty’s weight to my other arm. It was an odd thing, after hearing so many human businesses complain about witches. Why would the Grand Alevine Opera allow them to see a show free of charge?
“Will you not lose money?” I asked.
“Celeste is willing to cover the costs herself,” Lady Ruan said. “She’s quite sympathetic to witchkind. And with all the unrest...” She trailed off and shook her head. “Forgive me, Lady Narcissa. I did not mean to bring up these matters.”
“No need to apologize. We are here to address them.”
Giselle looked around with interest. “Are we invited to the show?”
Lady Ruan returned to her previous cheer. “But of course! You’ll be our honored guests. ”
“Think of all the evening gowns,” the seamstress said dreamily. She set Pippin on the floor. “Excuse me, this has been nice, but I have some projects in mind I would like to get a start on.”
Giselle flounced away to the hall. “Oh, hello Your Highness!”
Moments later Bennett appeared, nose and cheeks flushed from the cold. Ulysses followed behind him, panting.
“Your Highness!” Lady Ruan said, “I was just showing Lady Narcissa around. We’re going backstage to see Celeste, our newest singer. Would you like to join us?”
“Of course. Carry on.” Bennett gave a brief nod to Maddox, then turned his eyes to me. I couldn’t discern the look in them. All I could think about was his kiss.
I dug my nails into my palms as we followed Lady Ruan down the carpeted aisle. As we ascended a short flight of stairs, I tapped Ulysses’s shoulder.
“Yes, milady?” The steward wiped his nose with his handkerchief.
I gripped the railing. “Apologies. Where did you go with Bennett just now?” I whispered.
Ulysses sneezed, then gave me a watery-eyed look. “The post office and...bah. You’ll find out soon enough,” he said with a sigh. He blew his nose again and trotted to catch up with the others.
Backstage was almost as impressive as the front, though in a rustic, chaotic sort of way. Masses of rope and cord hung from high wooden beams just below the ceiling. Lady Ruan led us through a narrow passageway into a separate hall.
“I hope she's still here,” she said, turning to a painted red door. She knocked twice. “Celeste? Are you in there, dear? ”
“Yes, come in,” a husky voice said.
We entered. A young woman sat swathed in pale blue satin before a cluttered vanity, her glossy dark hair hanging loose down her back. Her eyes widened.
“Your Highness, Lady Narcissa,” Celeste said, executing a graceful curtsy. She turned to Lady Ruan. “My, if I had known you’d come with distinguished guests I would have tidied up.” Her smile moved the beauty mark on her cheekbone. I was impressed by how much she resembled her likeness on the flier.
“It’s no trouble,” I said.
“What lovely kitties you have!” she exclaimed, reaching out. Misty hissed at her gloved hand. Pippin hid behind Bennett’s legs.
“I’m sorry. They’re nervous around strangers.” I looked at Pippin oddly. I expected Misty to be prickly, but not Pippin.
“Don’t be.” Celeste recovered with a smile and gestured to the sitting area across the room. It was furnished elegantly, though much was drowned beneath a collection of frilly pillows. “Come, everyone, sit! It is such a pleasure to welcome the future rulers of Olderea. I’m sure touring the kingdom has been quite delightful.”
I studied her as we all took a seat. The singer was delicately beautiful, save for the fake beauty mark that stood out in contrast to her skin. Nothing looked suspicious in her room, but I couldn’t be sure with how cluttered it was.
“Thank you, Miss Carr. I can think of no better place than the Grand Alevine Opera to conclude our tour,” Bennett said, placing his hand over mine.
I jumped. I barely registered that he had taken a seat next to me. “Neither can I,” I managed to say, covering my surprise with a smile. “It is the gem of the city, as far as I can tell. ”
This was another act for appearances, surely. Though why he chose now to make an effort was beyond me. I shifted Misty onto my lap as an excuse to remove my hand from his.
Lady Ruan laughed. “Oh, I’m honored, though the real gem here is Celeste.”
The singer pushed the older woman playfully. “You flatter me, Lady Ruan,” she said, tossing her silken hair behind her shoulders. “I would love for you to come and see my performance tomorrow night, Lady Narcissa, Your Highness. I’ll be starring in Ode to the Moon . Have you heard of it?”
I stroked Misty’s back. “I’m afraid I haven’t.”
Celeste reclined dramatically in her seat, looking every bit like the actress she was. “It’s a recent composition. I find the story so romantic. A lunar goddess falls in love with a mortal king, only to be shunned as a nefarious succubus by his people. Her grief is so great it takes her life, but her spirit returns to the moon.”
Bennett nodded slowly. “That sounds...pleasant. We’ll be there.”
Lady Ruan clapped her hands. “Perfect! I’ll reserve your seats tonight. I’ve only seen the rehearsals, but it is absolutely phenomenal. Celeste has the most wonderful voice,” she said. “Guests have been swarming the opera house since she arrived.”
After chatting a little longer about opera, we left Celeste to rest. The singer seemed kind enough, and according to Lady Ruan, had a philanthropic view toward witches.
Soon after, Lady Ruan ended the tour, claiming that there was nothing interesting left to see besides storage rooms and stagehands’ quarters.
“It’s getting late, but if you wish for an in-depth tour, I’ll be glad to give one in the near future,” Lady Ruan said. She bid us a good evening and informed us that supper will be brought to our rooms.
Bennett didn’t split off with the others once we hiked up the stairs. The darkening hallway was empty, save for Misty and Pippin. It was with growing dread that I realized no one had arranged a separate room for us. He seemed to catch on.
“Stay,” he said abruptly when I opened my mouth. “I’ll find someone to prepare another room.”
I nodded. Bennett stuffed a hand into his coat pocket and shifted on his feet.
I cleared my throat. “Is something—?”
“I’ve always been awful at this.”
“What?”
Bennett removed his hand from his pocket. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. Then, “May I take Pippin?”
I gave an awkward laugh. “Of course. He’s your cat.”
Bennett knelt and gathered the tabby cat into his arms. He didn’t sling Pippin over his shoulder like he used to. He bowed quickly. “Good night.”
Misty mewed when he left. He’s acting strangely, don’t you think?
I passed a hand over my face. “When is he not?”