Page 80 of House of the Raven
“To see if there’s anything I can find out about Mother’s necklace.”
“Why would the library have information on your mother’s necklace?” He clearly thinks this specific outing will be a waste of time.
At first glance, it does seem that way, but the more I think about it, the more convinced I become. “If the fae want that necklace so desperately, it means it’s important.”
“I’m not denying that, but the library? You’re overreaching.”
“Maybe, but what if it’sthatimportant?”
“Important enough to warrant a book or a scroll being written about it?”
I nod. “It sounds ludicrous, I know, but it’s the only idea I have.”
He sighs. “All right, but do I have to come?”
I give him a narrow-eyed glare.
“Fine, fine, I’ll help you fetch books, but you do the reading. Deal?”
“Deal.” We shake on it. I have a feeling he’s going to be busy, running up and down the stacks to get me what I need, anyway.
“I don’t mean to rush you or anything,” he says carefully, “but what do we do after that? Is your plan more… fleshed out?”
“It is.” I smile, cocking my head to one side.
“You minx. What have you concocted?”
“I’ll tell you all about it after I change.”
Ishoohim out of the room and dress quickly. Once I’m ready, I open the door and drag Jago back inside.
“Hey, this is one of my nicest jackets.” He smooths the lapels I carelessly crumpled. He blinks and looks me up and down. “The dress, huh?”
“You said I needed a real disguise. Do you think this will fool Castellina’s nosey dwellers?”
He smiles. “I got something else for you.” He reaches for the unopened package. “One more small touch and no one will know who you are.” He pulls out a small tin of brown paste and proceeds to cover the white streak in my hair.
23
VALERIA
“You can play with my necklace but only for a moment. Understood, my little pixie?”
Loreleia Elhice - Queen of Castella - 9 AV
“Saints and feathers! I feel ridiculous,” I say as I walk down the sidewalk arm-in-arm with Jago.
“From the way everyone is staring, it’s working.” He waves as we pass a woman about my age. She looks at me with a mixture of alarm and jealousy. I don’t see how both emotions go together, but apparently, she both approves and disapproves of my outfit.
The red silk and damask dress Jago got for me came with a bodice, which he made sure to lace in such a way that my bosom feels as if it might burst forth at any moment.
My heels are precariously high, and I’m afraid I’ll trip and break my neck. There is no way I’m letting go of Jago’s arm.
“I thought the point of a disguise is to avoid being noticed,” I say.
“You already tried that, and all of Castellina knew who you were. This is perfect.”
“But everyone’s looking at me.”
