It would be one thing if it was just mindless prattle, but it was also the number of these women who continually said uncomfortably offensive things about her being half-Fae. How she’d accomplished so much despite her blood. How she was so brave for showing her ears. How they couldn’t believe that someone like her had snagged a prince like Fordham. And on and on. The endless microaggressions made Kerrigan wish she were back in the Wastes, where at least her heritage wasn’t a topic of conversation.

She was so close to fleeing that she startled when Darby appeared at her side. She glowed inside and out. “Kerrigan.”

They embraced quickly. It had been weeks since Kerrigan had seen her. The longest the former roommates had ever gone. She hated that they were separated but loved that Darby was coming into her own. Even if it meant this absurd spectacle.

“Well, aren’t you the toast of the Season?”

Darby grinned and ducked her chin. “You make quite a sight yourself.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” she said with a laugh.

Darby looped her arm with Kerrigan’s and tugged her away from Audria.

Audria was chatting with a blue-eyed Fae male she’d had her eye on for the last three dances, giving them the perfect escape route. Kerrigan had no intention of ever returning. She was already planning a way out. She needed to find and tell Fordham before she did so. And she hadn’t even danced yet. Pity.

“Thank you,” she said to Darby. “You did that effortlessly.”

“As if I didn’t know that you were ready to escape.”

“I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you,” Darby said. “It’s not the same without you. I honestly thought I’d always want my own room, and now that I have it, I miss having you right across the room to gossip with until the early hours of the morning.”

Kerrigan giggled. “We weren’t that bad.”

“Yes, we were, and I miss it.”

“Me too. Though you seem to have captured the attention of all the gentlemen this Season.” The only indication Darby was displeased was a fluttering of her fingers, something she’d done since she was a child. Kerrigan gripped her hand. “You do know that you don’t have to go through with this.”

Darby nodded. “I do though.”

“You don’t.”

“I can take lovers, Kerrigan. It doesn’t have to be that bad.”

“You will have to produce children,” she whispered low, worry in her voice for her friend.

Darby squeezed her hand. “You have enough to worry about. You don’t have to worry about me too.”

“Too late.”

“I love you. Now, make your escape before Audria notices. I’ll be fine.”