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Dorian nodded thoughtfully, with no hint of an I-told-you-so attitude "Well, you’ll choose what’s best, I’ when he next visits"

"Perhaps," I agreed My gaze drifted to the opposite side of the courtyard, and I felt a so with me anywhere and defend iel, bright and full of energy, was holding onto Jas to coax her into a dance Gentry musicians had appeared in a corner and struck up a tune that hadher head, but even I recognized the coy look of soet It was obvious she secretly enjoyed his attentions

"It doesn’t bother you?" Dorian asked

"Nah," I said as we finally reached the food "He’s a good kid, and at least he’s relatively close to her age Besides, now that I’ve clainant first" When I’d firstna our father’s prophecy She, like Rurik, was soe for the better

I meant to ask Dorian about the Yew Land, but the opportunity never really presented itself Aside fro up to talk to us, ere also just caught up in the festivities thedo in a tense state these last few hed and cheered with the others when Rurik brought Shaya out onto the dance floor and spun her around I watched Jasiel flirt with youthful innocence I even drank some sort of sweet nectar, which the chef had sworn to oblets constructed fro me not for the first time that my life really was a fairy tale--just not always a happy one

Dorian ad look "I suppose I’d be wastingyou to dance?"

"You’d have more luck with one of the horses," I said

He chuckled "You’re s how beautiful fertility is to us--not like hu them"

"That’s an understatement," I teased "I’ve spent most of my life with them I can’t help but think like a human"

"I know," he said withyou’ll shake"

I refused Dorian’s further invitations to dance, but later, in watching him twirl around with other women, I realized the recent tension wasn’t just between our kingdoms Whether it wasthe Iron Crown or simply disputes over how best to protectnonstop It was nice to have just one evening where ere at peace with each other I was res used to be, back ere a couple

It was after ht when I finally retired from the celebration Enchanted fireflies had replaced the cherry petals, illu I slipped aithout any big good-byes because I’d learned a long tio that once you started with one, many et to bed So, really, onlyand following me inside the castle

When I reached my rooms, I saw that some helpful servant had placed Ilania’s statues in there,with the unicorn statue I’d seen earlier, there was also one coracefully on top of each other I would have that one sent off to the Thorn Land, since it seeh to put the other statue in storage here, as well as give me the chance to ask Dorian about the Yew Land since I was certain he was staying over tonight I’d also have to ifts So much to do, but I was too exhausted to deal with any of it just yet

Thinking of Dorian reh I was ready to fall over, I delayed a moo been warrew cold and sinister Volusian appeared in the darkest corner, his eyes glowing red

"My mistress calls," he said, in his flat tone

I stifled a yawn and sat on the bed, suddenly feeling so to Roland whenever he’s up in the ets tiets time,’" I warned The last time I’d sent Volusian with a request to my stepfather, the spirit had simply said, "Youto get to the Otherworld, certain my death was imminent With Volusian, one had to be specific

"Aselse?"

"Nope That’s--"

"What is that?"