<Thanks,> Eris said dryly. She swept her vomit-of-color dress out with her hand and led them farther into the ballroom.

The room was full of people resplendent in the latest fashion of their various planets. Women laced into corsets, the skirts of their gowns trailing behind them. Tholosians favored jewel tones—rich greens, blues, and reds—to match the heavy jewelry glittering at their throats, their ears, or in circlets across their brows.

Many wore wigs braided with ribbon, more jewels, or mechanical birds or butterflies, their wings fluttering softly as the women glided through the ballroom. The gowns were as much of a uniform as many of the men’s military threads, medals shining at their chest, posture ramrod-straight beneath epaulettes.

Eris made sure to match. Her hair was somehow even more complicated than it’d been for the meeting with Prince Damocles yesterday. Deep purple braided silk, silver filigree set with gems. It looked heavy, like it pinched.

Nyx spotted others she knew, and self-consciously hunched her shoulders. It was difficult not to feel exposed, as if her lies were written upon her face.

Eris paused beside Nyx. <Shit,> she whispered. <I didn’t think he’d be here.>

The other women followed her gaze and went equally still. The Archon sat on his throne, still as one of the marble statues ringing the room. Nyx’s breath caught, and she forced herself to let it out slowly.

Even from there, his golden eyes blazed. His crown sat upon his brow, studded with precious stones from the worlds he had conquered in bloody battle, but the metal was the same Old World steel as the ancient palace on Tholos. The long, flowing robes of his office puddled on the floor. Dark blue velvet, a tapestry of his conquests stitched in gold and silver thread, just like the dome above him. Every aspect of his bearing a reminder that everything belonged to him. That he had the power to take anything he wanted. Their homes, their possessions, their lives.

The Archon’s gaze traveled around the room, taking in his loyal subjects.

<Change of plans?> Nyx asked through the Pathos. <His presence will tighten security.>

<No.> Eris’s eyes fixed on Damocles as he noticed her and left his father’s side. <No change.>

“General.” Eris dropped into a deep bow. As she rose, he took her hand, raising it to his lips.

<I’ll go with Ariadne, then,> Nyx argued. <If she runs into trouble . . .>

<Clo will go with her,> Eris said firmly. <This mission needs technical skill, not violence. You’ll stay with me.>

“Zoe,” General Damocles said. “I’m glad to have someone here who doesn’t infuriate me.”

Eris smiled. “Is that what you say to all the ladies?”

“Only ones who give me things I like.”

“Ahh, excellent answer.” Eris edged closer. “Then as payment, you must show me around. I’ve never been up here before.”