The palace drips with glittering white flowers and silver branches. Crystals flicker in every direction, enchanting the room like it’s filled with stars.

Residents are everywhere, their faces hidden beneath masks much more elaborate than mine. Some of the masks are covered in feathers and jewels. Others are inked onto their skin in fantastical patterns. And some are quilted in fabric and cover their equally outlandish hairstyles.

Every gown is more beautiful than the last, every suit tailored to perfection. And it occurs to me suddenly that I’m one of the few people wearing Prince Caelan’s colors.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I realize it’s drawing more attention than I want. Pairs of eyes follow me all over the room, and Residents whisper to each other behind their cupped hands. My dress is a statement I hadn’t meant to make: I’m not just Prince Caelan’s friend—I’m a part of his court.

I remind myself coolly that it’s all a lie, a role I’m playing to take back Infinity, and push through the crowd with all the grace of the Residents I continue to mimic.

I don’t see Prince Caelan anywhere. Maybe the members of the royal family don’t make an appearance until after the ceremony, which isn’t until later in the evening, right after the procession takes place in the throne room.

Maybe if I’m lucky, I can avoid seeing Caelan tonight at all.

I know what needs to be done, but I’d prefer if I didn’t have to look into those silver eyes another time. Not when I know what’s going to happen in a couple of hours.

I make my way from the ballroom to the gardens, taking note of the Legion Guards and empty corridors. Outside the palace, guards from every court fly overhead and stand watch along the surrounding wall. Inside, they move like shadows. Like they’re part of the furniture and nothing more.

It feels overwhelming now, but soon they won’t be a problem. They’ll be too busy watching the throne room, not the hallways.

The only guards I need to worry about are the twelve near the Orb.

I ball my hands into fists, hoping the Reaper will do its job when the time comes, just like I plan to.

The hallway to the underground chamber is being watched by two burly Legion Guards from Victory, the whites of their uniforms glistening beneath the crystal chandeliers. I recall the blueprints Annika showed me, making a mental note of where to go once the coast is clear.

A new song begins to play from the orchestra, and the ballroom erupts in a gentle waltz. I start to turn for the garden, thinking it’s easier to avoid getting caught on the dance floor altogether, when I collide into a cape of white fur.