She’d found black Society robes waiting in her room when she woke from her magically induced slumber with a note that read, Training robes. They weren’t the lush, almost-glossy robes, but a rough spun cotton. She’d slid them over her training clothes with a little thrill of delight anyway. Her entire life, she’d been surrounded by people in black robes with the dragon insignia on them, and now, they belonged to her.

Whatever medicine Helly had given her had worked wonders, but she still felt depleted. Her magic wasn’t a hundred percent recovered. Her body still ached. And even though she’d slept for more than a day, she was still tired. But she couldn’t be today.

“You made it!” Audria Ather cried, throwing her arms around Kerrigan.

Audria Ather, Third of the House of Drame in the line of Bryonica, had been one of Kerrigan’s friends when they were children. They’d played together before Kerrigan’s father sent her away to the House of Dragons. It was Audria who had realized that she was Princess Felicity and offered for her family to sponsor Kerrigan. She’d wanted them to be like sisters again. Fordham had given her an alternative—join him in the House of Shadows—and Kerrigan had taken it. Anything to not have to return to the Bryonican life that had been taken from her.

Audria wasn’t all bad. They were even friends. Even though she’d revealed Kerrigan’s identity to the entire court. Kerrigan still hadn’t come to terms with everyone knowing that she was Kerrigan Felicity Argon, once First of the House of Cruse, and her father, the great Kivrin Argon. She’d hidden it for so long that it didn’t even seem possible.

“I made it,” Kerrigan said, hugging her back.

“Oh my goodness, you look like the House of Shadows chewed you up and spit you out,” she said with a giggle.

Not far off.

Kerrigan laughed, releasing her. “How was your break?”

“Excellent! You know that the Season is starting now that the tournament is over. You’ll have to come to the parties with me since I can finally tell everyone you’re Felicity.”

Kerrigan grimaced. “You couldn’t drag me to a Season event.”

“You wouldn’t be fit for one anyway,” Roake said with distaste.

Roake Brevard was from the south in Elsiande. Traditionally, those from the south believed that magic should be used for nothing, but the younger generation was pushing back on that notion. Roake was the leader of that faction and had won the tournament to prove his point. He was also obsessed with Audria and made his distaste for Kerrigan clear.

“She would too fit,” Audria said. “Don’t be mean, Roake.”

He looked at her with pure devotion. “Of course. I wouldn’t think they’d let half-Fae participate.”

“We’re not prejudiced!” Audria insisted.