“You want me to sit here?” I ask, too stunned to keep my voice even. “Are you sure that’s okay?”

Prince Caelan chuckles softly, nodding as he takes his place at the throne.

I sit, uncomfortably aware some of the Residents have begun gawking. Whether I’m ready for this world or not, I guess there’s no going back now.

“Commander Kyas,” Caelan says suddenly, and my eyes snap up in surprise.

Standing in front of us is the Commander of Victory’s Legion. With dark ginger hair slicked back against his scalp and a soft beard, his eyes gleam a deep blue and his uniform is as crisp as the evening air.

“Your Highness,” he says, bowing. “Apologies for the late arrival.”

“I hope our new guards have settled in?” Caelan picks up his goblet, briefly acknowledging a curtsying Resident nearby.

Commander Kyas gives a dutiful nod. “They have. Everything is as you requested.”

“That’s good,” Caelan says, taking a drink. “I’d like to pay a visit to the Winter Keep tomorrow, to meet the new recruits.”

I try not to appear interested.

“As you wish, Your Highness,” Commander Kyas says, his eyes never meeting mine.

I’m glad—if he caught me staring, he might see the truth in my eyes. That I know he’s a traitor—and that I’m one too.

Prince Caelan waves a hand to dismiss his guard, who takes a place at the end of the head table. Vallis is already seated next to him, squirming uncomfortably in his chair and his face more pinched than ever. He mutters something to Commander Kyas—something unpleasant, judging by the way the Legion Guard frowns. A second harp begins to play from the balcony, and I pull my attention away, distracted.

Servants appear at once, transferring food onto each plate, filling goblets, and smiling politely with their haunting, vacant eyes. I ignore my natural instinct to say thank you when one of them fills my plate with meat and pie, but my eyes slip to the girl’s face.

The girl from the palace.

I ignore the sudden pounding in my heart and flatten my lips, eyes pinned to her even when she glides away to another table to serve more Residents.

“Have you heard the story of the Bloodmoon?” Prince Caelan interrupts my thoughts, and I know I have to choose whether to keep sight of the girl, or keep up with whatever game I’m playing with the Prince of Victory.

I smile. “Not from you, Your Highness.”