“Faustus the Fighting Fae once fell while flatulating ferociously from fishy fennel fritters,” I say in a menacing voice, aether lacing my words. All three fall to their knees, both from silent laughter and the compulsion of the monarch magic. Even Fionn is enjoying himself.

My eyes meet Hawthorne’s, and I swear some kind of spark passes between us, like our magic is reaching out to one another. His eyes widen before he frowns, about to say something. I don’t want to talk about whatever connection seems to make my magic react so strangely around him, so I decide it’s time to end this. I straighten and stand tall, rolling my shoulders back.

“That should be enough. I’ll return to the Council and assure them you weren’t involved. You should probably look a bit nervous and broken for the next few days. I’m not known for kindness or mercy in these situations.” After the words are out of my mouth, I regret them, not wanting them to know the truth of how far I’m willing to go to protect my people.

Silene and Fionn nod, but Hawthorne approaches me. “Laurel, wait,” he says. I look at him, and his fingers twitch, like he’s fighting the urge to touch me. The thought makes my stomach flutter. I give him an expectant look. “I just wanted to tell you, I meant what I said during our dance. I would love to train with you. I know you can channel light after tonight’s little show, but I haven’t seen you use any of the advanced techniques. Perhaps I could even teach you a thing or two.” He winks, and I can’t stop the smile that follows.

“As I said, I’ll think about it, princeling.” Then I disappear.

It’s been a week since the ball, and I’ve received reports that the Velmaran ambassadors have been scarcely seen. Rumors swirl they’re licking their wounds after my hour with them. What they’ve actually been doing is trying to get an audience with the Sons and Daughters’ leadership, sneaking out using Hawthorne’s light channeling to remain inconspicuous. Based on the short missives they’ve had delivered to me, the rebels are being dodgy about when and where they’ll introduce Hawthorne to their leaders.