Their bags were carried to their rooms ahead of them while attendants directed them to bathing quarters and brought out fresh clothes in their tribe colors.

Kerrigan stepped out of the bath and was toweled off before a navy dress with embroidered silver roses was put before her. She blinked at it. “This is Bryonican colors.”

“Yes, my lady,” the attendant said, curtsying deeply.

“I’m of the House of Shadows.”

They frowned and glanced at each other. “Many here still see you as Bryonican, my lady.”

She wanted to argue. Wearing this color would give them the wrong impression. She wasn’t returning to Bryonica. No matter what anyone thought. But causing a fuss would surely be noted as well.

She frowned and let them drape her in the colors she’d long ago given up. When she stepped out of the chamber, she saw Audria in a similar attire with the House of Drame insignia emblazed on her chest. Kerrigan was glad that at least her father’s House of Cruse wasn’t on her own dress.

“You look wonderful!” Audria gushed. “Oh, I love seeing you back in our colors.”

That made one of them. Though she didn’t say it.

Fordham however frowned when he saw her. “Blue?”

She sighed. Of course, he was dressed in all black for the House of Shadows.

“I tried to tell them this wasn’t my color.”

He touched the fringe of lace at her collar. It was definitely more ornamental than what she normally wore. “This doesn’t suit you.”

“Really, Fordham?” Audria gasped. “You’re such an ass!”

He stepped forward, ignoring Audria, until he was in Kerrigan’s space. She took a deep breath and met his gaze. He bowed slightly, taking her hand in his and pressing a kiss to it. “Charbonnet black is better,” he said low.

She startled at the tribe name for the House of Shadows. She’d never heard him use it before. But before she could ask about it, Roake and Noda returned from their baths. Noda in Concha teal blue and Roake in all black with an Elsiande pink cravat at his throat. Then, the attendants were ushering them through the palace and straight to the throne room.

Audria squeezed Kerrigan’s hand. “Here we go.”

Roake shook slightly. “I’m going to be sick.”

“They’re not your king and queen,” Noda said with a laugh.

“They’re still royalty.”

Fordham sniffed. As if he wasn’t royalty in their very midst. As if she and Audria weren’t from a royal line as well. Not that Kerrigan wanted anyone to think of her like that.

The doors to the throne room creaked open.

“His Royal Highness, Crowned Prince Fordham Ollivier of the House of Shadows,” the attendant called. “Lady Kerrigan Felicity Argon, First of the House of Cruse of Bryonica, now of the House of Shadows.”