Page 139 of The Gilded Cage

“Yeah, well, she really doesn’t like our family.” With a pointed look, Kiva added, “You, especially.”

Zuleeka shuffled on her feet. “I might have visited her more than I let on.”

“She wouldn’t give me the dagger,” Kiva said, figuring that was what Zuleeka really wanted to know. “I tried, but she was adamant.”

Zuleeka’s shoulders slumped. “I knew it was a long shot. I’d just hoped ...” Shaking her head, she said, “Never mind. It doesn’t matter now.” She jerked her chin in the direction of the exit. “We really do need to leave.”

And then she started leading the way out of the warehouse, around more boxes and crates and barrels than Kiva could count — the building was much larger than she’d thought — before they finally stepped outside to find the sun setting in the distance.

“I need to grab something before the party, but I’ll meet you at the palace,” Zuleeka said.

“You really don’t have to come,” Kiva said, hoping her sister would stay away.

“Tor’s already not going to be there. It might seem odd — even rude — if both of us ignore the princess’s invitation.”

Frustratingly, Zuleeka wasn’t wrong, so Kiva blew out a breath and said, “I’ll see you soon, then.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

By the time Kiva finally made her way back to the palace, her feet felt like lead, her head was pounding, and she desperately needed a nap. But with the clock ticking down to the masquerade, she made herself wash quickly, scrubbing off Torell’s blood — amazed no one had noticed it — and donning her gown.

Mirryn had delivered her a mask, as promised, and while the shimmering delicacy of it was beautiful, it was nothing compared to the masterpiece that was Kiva’s dress.

Fashioned entirely out of a pale gold silk, the bodice cut low across Kiva’s chest and fit tight to her waist, before flowing out like liquid to the floor. What truly made it spectacular was the luminium beaded into it, like little specks of sunlight, leaving the dress — and Kiva wearing it — looking nothing short of radiant.

Coupled with her intricate mask and glittering slippers, when Kiva peered in the mirror before leaving her room, she had to do a double take, barely recognizing herself.

“What am I doing?” she whispered, frozen to the spot. But then a knock on her bedroom door had her jumping and hurrying across her room to answer it.

On the other side was Jaren, dressed in formal black from head to toe, with whirls and eddies of gold embroidery dancing along the collar of his shirt and the seams of his jacket, begging for Kiva to reach out and run her fingers over them. Overhim.

From his boots to his black-and-gold mask, he was utterly magnificent, and try as she might, Kiva couldn’t take her eyes off him.

Not that she tried very hard, especially when she saw the look inhiseyes as he stared shamelessly right back at her.

Heat pooled in her stomach at the desire on his face, at the sheerhungerthat only deepened as his gaze raked slowly over her, like the softest, sweetest of caresses. Her skin felt like it was melting right off her bones, every part of her suddenly throbbing with want, withneed—

And then Naari walked into the room.

Kiva leapt backwards, as if she’d been caught doing something wrong. She was panting lightly, feeling as if she’d run a lap around the training yard, embarrassed by her reaction but also still experiencing the magnetic pull toward the prince.

“Ready for the party?” Naari asked, oblivious to the tension in the room. “Where’s Tipp?”

Kiva shook off what she could of her stupor. “He’s, uh —” She fumbled for a response, having been so preoccupied on the walk back to the palace that she hadn’t considered what excuse she might use. It was on the tip of her tongue to say he was sick, but Naari and Jaren would want to check in on him, and they’d also know Kiva would struggle to leave his side if that were the case.

“He went to Silverthorn with you, didn’t he?” Naari pressed, reminding Kiva that there were guards watching the River Road — but apparently their eyes had been elsewhere today, missing the abduction that had occurred on the road up to the academy. “Did you come back together?”

It would take Naari all of two seconds to discover if Kiva lied, with numerous people — including the gate guards — having seen her return alone. Licking her lips, she answered, “It was his first time there, and he wanted to stay longer. Rhessinda — my healer friend — offered to show him around while I came back to get dressed.”

Naari frowned toward Tipp’s open bedroom door, before shrugging and saying, “I’ll keep an eye out and let you know when he returns.”

Kiva’s stomach knotted, but she murmured her thanks. She only had to stall until morning. Then she could talk to Tipp and, hopefully, convince him to keep her secrets.

“You look nice, by the way,” Naari said to Kiva.

Jaren made a strangled sound, the first noise he’d uttered since arriving, but Kiva kept her eyes on Naari and replied, “So do you.”

The guard was wearing her customary black, but she’d traded her leathery armor for a pantsuit, the cuffs and collar threaded with the barest hint of gold, like an added afterthought for meeting Mirryn’s color scheme. To finish, Naari wore a simple but still dainty mask, the golden flecks standing out in stark contrast to her dark skin.

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