Page 47 of The Black Key

CORA SEEMS TO BE AVOIDING ME OVER THE NEXT FEW days.

She’s always with the Duchess, who has been looking tired, almost haggard, since Hazel’s escape. She never seems to be in her room when I’ve tried seeing her before bedtime. I finally manage to corner her by waiting outside her room the morning of Coral and Garnet’s luncheon at the Royal Palace.

“What’s going on?” I demand, and she jumps at the sight of me.

“Everything is fine,” she says, glancing up and down the empty hallway. “She got out when the doctor was distracted. She’s safe in the medical room now.”

“Safe?” I hiss. “She said you were trying to kill her!”

“Why would I do that?” Cora takes a step forward so my back is pressed against the wall. “The doctor gave her something to calm her down after the shooting. It was still in her system. She was confused. Disoriented. No one in this palace would want to hurt her.”

“But—”

“Look, I made a promise and I’m going to keep it,” Cora says through clenched teeth. “Just don’t forget to hold up your end of the bargain.”

Then she turns on her heel and storms off. I lean my head against the wall and close my eyes. I want to believe her. I want to believe that Hazel is safe.

But she isn’t. None of us are.

I make my way back up to Coral’s chambers, to prepare her for the luncheon.

Maybe Lucien can help me sort all of this out.

THE ROYAL PALACE IS JUST AS GRAND AS I REMEMBER IT.

Our motorcar winds its way up through the thick forest and past the topiary, which showcases birds and beasts crafted impeccably out of ten-foot-high hedges. We emerge into a large square with a fountain in its center, four boys blowing trumpets, water pouring out of their horns in thin arches.

The palace itself is crafted out of a burnished metal that glows like liquid gold. It climbs into the sky in turrets and spires and towers, its gleaming surface making me squint in the bright sunlight.

“I can’t believe the Duchess tried to advise us not to come,” Coral says as the chauffeur opens the door for her. “How could we refuse an invitation from the Royal Palace?”

The Duchess was not thrilled when she heard about this luncheon.

“You know what they’re saying, darling,” Garnet says with a casual glance in my direction. “Mother is simply trying to keep us safe.”

“Well, of course we’ll be safe,” Coral says, her chest swelling with pride. “Doesn’t she know my husband is a Master Sergeant in the Regimentals?”

Garnet’s expression softens and I feel my heart soften, too. Coral might be a royal, but she’s a sweet girl, really.

We walk up the low steps to the front doors, opened by footmen clad in blue and red, shiny brass buttons on their coats.

Lucien is waiting for us in the immense, circular foyer.

“Garnet, Coral, welcome,” he says warmly. “Their Royal Graces are eager to see you. Lunch will be served in the Lotus Garden. Please, follow me.”

He leads the way, Coral and Garnet arm in arm behind him, while I bring up the rear. I’ve been to the Royal Palace twice before, once for the Exetor’s Ball and again for the celebration of the Longest Night. But clearly, I haven’t even seen a fraction of it. Lucien leads us down wide halls lined with huge oil paintings, others with richly detailed murals. One hall’s floor seems to be crafted out of pure diamond. Another has lights that shift their color as you pass, changing from mauve to lavender to pale green.

We end up in front of a set of glass double doors. Lucien opens them and bows, gesturing Coral and Garnet outside. I stop in the doorway and can’t help the way my breath catches in my throat.

The Lotus Garden has no discernible walls, just lush greenery in a wide circle. And instead of rows of flowers or neatly cut grass, all around us is water. Crystal-clear water filled with lotus blossoms and lily pads. The soft white flowers float lazily, as frogs and fish dart around them. There is a flagstone walkway out to a large stone island in the center of the garden, where a white table and chairs sit underneath a wide umbrella, plates and cutlery laid out, a bottle of white wine chilling in a silver bucket in its center.

The Exetor and Electress are already sitting. The Electress waves.

“Garnet, Coral, you’ve arrived!” she calls out. “Wonderful. The chef is making lobster thermidor. I do hope that’s all right. Lucien, leave us. Show Coral’s lady-in-waiting to the green room, she can wait there until we’re finished.”

“Yes, my lady,” Lucien says with a bow, and we leave Garnet and Coral to their lunch.

As soon as we’re out of sight and alone, Lucien whirls around and envelops me in a hug.