little true cause to use the full extent of my shadow ability here. Montfort has no royal court to speak of. There is no queen to eavesdrop on, no young prince to follow unseen. Still, that doesn’t mean I don’t do my fair share of listening where I can. Mostly on the street, exploring the city of Ascendant without worry. After all, I’m a Nortan noble, a Silver born to rule, and once I was the future queen of the Rift. Though I am safe here, I am not often welcome outside the estate. Reds and newbloods who recognize me look on me with scorn, Silvers with pity or jealousy. Sometimes I go out with Evangeline, shielding us both behind a veil of my ability, though it makes navigating the crowds more difficult. Not that Evangeline has ever minded stepping on toes.
Premier Davidson’s meetings are too well guarded, even for me. He retains his council behind locked doors with newblood guards on his heels. One can detect abilities; the other has elevated senses that allow her to smell or hear even an invisible intrusion. The latter reminds me of Evangeline’s mother, a woman never caught off guard. She always had too many eyes to see through, too many noses, too many beasts at her command.
If everything carries on as it should, I might be spending a lot more time with the newblood guards, and Davidson especially.
It’s been at least two hours since Evangeline disappeared. She ate breakfast in unusual silence, devouring whatever the servant put in front of her. I didn’t push. It’s a difficult day for all of us, most of all her. When she told me she wanted to be alone for a while, I was ready to give her the space she so desperately wanted.
She gave me a copy of the letter she wrote, the one Ptolemus is supposed to read during his broadcast tomorrow. She isn’t the type to want input or even support, but there are no secrets between us these days. She wanted to give me the choice.
I haven’t read it.
It sits on the coffee table in our salon, taunting me even from the next room. I’m not a fool. I’ve lived in Silver courts as long as Evangeline has, and I’ve probably overheard more than she will in her lifetime. It’s a shadow’s way to watch and listen. Sending a letter, instead of going to the Rift herself—it’s risking disaster. And no matter how many times I tell her this, Evangeline refuses to listen. She’s always been stubborn, always quick to dig her heels in. I thought this place might cure her of that. She could be different here. But very little about her has changed. She’s still proud, still venomous, still terrified of losing the few people she holds dear.
I avoid the salon and the letter’s temptation, busying myself with the already-made bed instead. We don’t have personal servants, but there are maids who clean our rooms daily, ready to provide anything we might ask for.
Not for much longer.
I huff out a breath, blowing a lock of hair out of my face. I don’t have the faintest idea how to clean most of my clothing properly. Especially not the lacy pieces Evangeline likes best. I made sure to tuck a few of those in the cases. She deserves a reward if she changes her mind.
On the abdication, and other things as well.
Sighing, I lie back against the cool coverlet of our bed. The blankets are dark green, the same color as the Montfort flag, and I imagine I’m sprawled against a forest floor. My scarlet hair looks striking against the fabric, bright as a wound. I debate ringing for the maid and asking her to draw me a hot bath, when someone enters the salon from the hall. There’s only one person who wouldn’t bother to knock, and I steel myself for the inevitable disagreement over today.
Evangeline moves with grace. Not like a cat, but a wolf, always on the hunt. Usually I like when she’s hunting me, but I’m not her prey right now. She doesn’t meet my gaze when she enters the room, even though I’m silhouetted quite nicely against the windows. The light shifts over me, dappling my pale skin and red dress in a pretty haze. I like wearing red. It matches my hair. It makes me feel alive. Evangeline wears her house colors today even though she doesn’t need to anymore. Black leather, gray wool. She seems