Page 23 (1/2)

"Well? Are you going? We need to leave soon if you are"

"No," she said through her food

"For soods by not attending I iine that an assassin would take more interest in the day of the dead"

She"I worship in my oay Perhaps I’llhis sword "Mind yourself while I’ too elaborately--Brullo told ot a Test too?" sheon horseback, and a spot on her wrist was still tender

But he said nothing et it, the sound of the whip still snapped in her ears

Grateful the service was finally over, Dorian Havilliard strode by hiion neither convinced norprayer after prayer, he was in desperate need of soh his clenched teeth, rubbing a spot on his tearden He passed a cluster of ladies, each of whoave them a terse nod as he strode by His mother had used the cereible ladies to hi not to screae, alreen velvet It was the color of a em-like shade that didn’t quite have a name Not to mention the dress was about a hundred years out of fashion His gaze rose to her face, and he s, and then turned to her two companions "Princess Neheain The folds of fabric--like the floaters of a river--were rather attractive "You’re looking festive" Celaena’s broered

"The Lady Lillian’s servants were attending the service when she dressed," said Chaol "There was nothing else to wear" Of course; corsets required assistance to get in and out of--and the dresses were a labyrinth of secret clasps and ties

"My apologies, ry, and a blush rose to her cheek "I’m truly sorry my clothes don’t suit your taste"

"No, no," he said quickly, glancing at her feet They were clad in red shoes--red like the winter berries beginning to pop out on the bushes "You look very nice Just a bit--out of place" Centuries, actually She gave hiive me," he said in his best Eyllhich wasn’t very impressive at all "How are you?"

Her eyes shone with ae Dorian’s attention flicked to her two guards, who lurked in the shadows nearby--waiting, watching Dorian’s blood thruton had been pushing for a plan to bring more forces into Eyllwe--to crush the rebels so efficiently that they wouldn’t dare challenge Adarlan’s rule again Just yesterday, the duke presented a plan: they would deploy e any retaliation fro to his repertoire of abilities, Dorian had spent hours arguing against it But while some of the council members had also voiced their disapproval, the y to be a sound one Still, Dorian had convinced theive him ti before her, Dorian quickly looked away from the princess If he were anyone but the Crown Prince, he would warn her But if Nehemia left before she was supposed to, the duke would knoho had told her, and inforh between Dorian and the king; he didn’t need to be branded as a rebel syht?" Dorian asked the princess, forcing himself to look at her and keep his features neutral

Neheave her a smile that only meant trouble "Unfortunately, I have other plans Isn’t that right, Your Highness?" She didn’t bother to hide the undercurrent of annoyance

Chaol coughed, suddenly very interested in the berries in the hedges Dorian was on his own "Don’t blame me," Dorian said smoothly "You accepted an invitation to that party in Rifthold weeks ago" Her eyes flickered, but Dorian wouldn’t yield He couldn’t bring her to the feast, not with soThere would be tootrack of her would be difficult

Nehe?"

"No, but I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time," Celaena said, then switched into Eyllwe and said soh that he understood the gist of it to be: "His Highness certainly kno to keep wohed, and Dorian’s face warods help them all

"Well, we’re very i elboith the princess Perhaps allowing theerous idea "So, we hness" She curtsied, the red and blue ge in the sun She looked over her shoulder, giving Dorian a sneer as she led the princess deeper into the garden

Dorian glared at Chaol "Thanks for your help"

The captain clapped him on the shoulder "You think that was bad? You should see the" With that, he strode after the women

Dorian wanted to yell, to pull out his hair He’d enjoyed seeing Celaena the other night--enjoyed it iht up in councilcourt, and hadn’t been able to visit her Were it not for the feast, he’d go to her again He hadn’t h it was outdated--nor had he known she’d be that irritated about not being invited to the feast, but

Dorian scowled and walked off to the kennels

Celaena ser across a neatly triht the dress was lovely Festive indeed!