Bayton frowned and looked to her sister. “That is unnecessary. We were assigned to you.”

“Right. Just doing your jobs,” Kerrigan said. “Well, okay.”

They hurried over and stripped her down, plunging her into the heated water. Thankfully, she’d lost most of her modesty in the House of Dragons. The bathing quarters were filled with dozens of littlings at any given time. The last year, she’d actually enjoyed that only the senior Dragon Blessed had to share a space.

“So, which is which?” Kerrigan asked.

The twins looked at each other.

“I’m Bayton,” the first said. She had a small mark on her upper lip that was her only distinctive feature.

“I’m Benton.” Benton might have been just a little softer in the face, but otherwise, they were entirely the same.

“Ben and Bay,” Kerrigan said. “Got it.”

The sisters giggled, and Kerrigan joined them. Then, they straightened and sobered. Their eyes were wide with alarm.

“Apologies,” Bayton whispered.

“We didn’t mean …”

“To laugh?”

“At you, miss.”

“With me actually,” Kerrigan said. “It’s fine. I like to laugh.”

But apparently, laughing wasn’t an approved task because the twins withdrew after that. Saying nothing while they finished with the bath, dried her off, and pulled her hair up and out of her face. A fine silk dress appeared, and they slipped her into it. It was the black and silver of the House of Shadows livery that she had so admired on Fordham. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all.

“Thank you,” she told the attendants.

Their eyes rounded, and they curtsied deeply before disappearing from the bathing chamber. She shook her head in confusion. They’d acted like beaten dogs.

When she stepped out of the room, Langdan was waiting for her, but Fordham was nowhere in sight.

“Where has Fordham gone off to?”

Langdan narrowed his eyes. “His Royal Highness has already retired to his chambers.”

“Right. His Royal Highness,” she said, trying not to let the words come out sour.

“If I were you, I would be sure to use the formal denotation while you’re here.”

“Of course,” she said. “I assume that you are to escort me.”

“Indeed,” he said flatly and then turned on his heel.

She resisted the urge to kick his shin. But she thought about it.

Langdan either took her on the most circuitous path around the mountain or no one lived here. They didn’t see anyone. No whispers trailed behind her. Maybe no one even knew they were here besides Benton and Bayton and this insufferable dolt.

“Here we are,” Langdan said.

Langdan rapped on the door twice, and Fordham’s face appeared a moment later.

“What?” he snarled.

Langdan straightened and gulped at the tone. “I have brought your … lady.”

Fordham arched an eyebrow. “You didn’t set up rooms for her?”

Langdan looked scandalized at the suggestion. “Certainly not.”