Kerrigan was shocked by the sheer number of debuts this year. As if many had waited for the tournament year. She’d heard that wasn’t uncommon, as it meant all the eligible bachelors who had entered the tournament and not succeeded usually went for a deb that year. Finally, near the back of the endless line was Darby.

Her black skin glowed like a moonlit night. Her dress was the softest swath of fabric Kerrigan had ever seen, and she owned every single step she took down those stairs. Everyone stared at her in that moment. The hint of gold on her lids, the long sweep of her black lashes, the enchanting light pink atop her lush lips. The swish of her lithe hips and the command she acquired in just a head tilt. Her deep curtsy was perfection. She’d always been spectacular at the show of it all, but this was something else altogether. Kerrigan had been practicing sword play and magic work, and Darby had honed her own craft.

Whispers broke out as she took her place at the front of the line. An approving nod from one of the assembled royalty said all that needed to be said—Darby was the star of the Season.

Clover’s lips were pressed so hard together that they practically disappeared. “Well, she did all right.”

“Better than all right,” Hadrian said.

Clover huffed. She downed the rest of her wine. “I need another drink.”

Hadrian shot Kerrigan a pained look. “We’ll find you later.”

Kerrigan waved him off. “Have fun.”

“What’s with them?” Fordham asked. “I thought they were together?”

“They’re complicated.”

Like us. That was what she wanted to say.

Luckily, she was saved from having to hide that look from her face by Audria appearing. “Oh my gods, your friend is the talk of the night!”

“She did great,” Kerrigan agreed.

She fluttered her eyelashes at Fordham. “You don’t mind if I steal Kerrigan for a minute, do you?”

For a split second, he looked like he very much did mind but then came back to himself. “Of course not.”

“Great,” Audria gushed. She linked arms with Kerrigan and pulled her across the room. “I have so many people I want you to meet.”

“Meet?”

“Absolutely. Friends of mine. People you would have known from Bryonica had you stayed in the tribe. Important introductions for you to have.”

Kerrigan bit the inside of her cheek to keep from telling Audria exactly how much she wanted to make these people’s acquaintances. But it was one night, and Audria was so happy. It couldn’t be that bad.

Except it was. It was worse.

Kerrigan desperately want to escape the clutches of these women, but she had no chance of doing so. Audria tugged her around as if she were anxious to impress her friends with her new toy. It was exhausting, and after over an hour of it, Kerrigan had a headache.