Raisa’s hand crept to her neck. A faint welt lingered where the pendant had rested. Was it possible? Could it really have been a matter of too much wine and Micah Bayar’s kisses?

“Are you saying you were mistaken?” she said. “That the necklace wasn’t really…”

“No.” Averill shook his head. “I was not mistaken,” he said without a trace of doubt in his voice or expression.

“Why hasn’t my mother come to talk to me about it? Why is she asking Lord Bayar instead?”

Averill hesitated, as if debating how much to say. “Lord Bayar suggested that you and Micah simply got carried away. You violated the rules against congress between wizards and the Gray Wolf line, and so were looking for an excuse.”

Raisa snatched up a bouquet off the mantel and flung it into the fireplace. The porcelain vase shattered, sending chips flying in all directions and scattering lilies and orchids across the hearth.

“Your Highness!” Magret exclaimed, poking her head in from her quarters next door. “Blessed lady!” she added when she saw the mess.

“Briar Rose,” her father said, shaking his head and putting his finger to his lips. Raisa read the message in his eyes. Trader face, he was saying.

It wasn’t easy. Raisa was in the mood for breaking things. But she mastered herself and said, “It’s all right, Magret. It slipped. I’ll clean it up later.”

Averill waited until the door closed behind Magret before he went on. “Marianna has forbidden Micah to see you. He’s restricted to Aerie House. She has confined you to your room. She seems to believe that’s appropriate punishment.”

“What is Micah saying?” Raisa asked glumly.

Averill shrugged. “He’s saying nothing at all. That I know of, anyway.”

Raisa gestured vaguely at the floral display. “He’s been sending flowers. Asking to visit.”

“You know your mother doesn’t like trouble,” Averill said. “She’d rather not know about some things so she doesn’t have to confront them. It may be nothing more than that.”

Raisa nodded. “I even thought maybe she wanted to keep me away from the other parties to, you know, make my party more special,” she said. “She seems determined to make it the party of the year.” It sounded foolish now that she was saying it.

“That may be,” Averill said, though he didn’t sound convinced. “Apparently Marianna sees no need to show you off before then.” He hesitated, then plowed ahead. “Your mother may worry that I have a clan match in mind for you. There’s been talk about you and Reid Demonai.”

“Reid?” Raisa frowned. She and Reid had shared some kisses, some long walks in the woods, a few dances at clan gatherings. “I like Reid, but there’s been talk of him and every girl at Demonai.”

“It didn’t help that I supposedly spirited you off to Demonai without telling her,” Averill said.