Page 86 of The Shadows Between Us
“When I’m told not to do something, I only desire to do it more,” I say before rounding the corner out of sight.
But something bothers me about the council’s insistence on an heir from Kallias. Wouldn’t they know exactly how his powers work? And if so, wouldn’t they want him to avoid touching anyone?
Unless they are indeed the ones trying to have him killed.
I’m beginning to think Kallias’s fears are perfectly warranted.
CHAPTER
19
I stand in the middle of the ballroom and turn in a slow circle. “We’ll need potted flowers. I want the entire ballroom lined with them. They’ll form pathways just like a flower garden.”
Epaphras, Kallias’s appointment keeper, is less than thrilled to be in my employ for the day. (Apparently I got on his bad side when I ignored him and barged into Kallias’s meeting.) But Kallias insisted he could keep his meetings straight for one day so I could have the best of his schedulers taking notes for me. My ball is to have the utmost priority.
At first, I thought it strange he would insist when an attempt was just made on his life. But then I realize he doesn’t want that attention on himself. He doesn’t want his people to think he’s in danger, that there’s any threat at all to him. He wants things to appear normal.
“Why bother with pots?” Epaphras asks sarcastically. “Why don’t we just dump dirt right onto the ballroom floor?”
“I think it’s brilliant!” Hestia says. “Jewels of the Queen’s Gardenis a wonderful theme! The ballroom will look splendid once you’re done with it.”
“All the ladies can dress to look like different blossoms,” Rhodaadds. “Oh, we better commission our seamstresses quickly before they’re all booked!”
“You’re at an advantage,” I assure them, “since I have yet to send out invitations. Epaphras! I will need stationery and penmanship samples, of course. The invitations must go out by this weekend.”
“Naturally,” Epaphras bites out.
“Best inform Kallias I am in far greater need of your services than he is. I shall need you for at least the next week, I should think.”
The scribe goes pale, and I share a secret smile with Rhoda.
“Galen,” Rhoda says to the shadow behind her. “Do contact my seamstress and set up an appointment. Make sure she knows it’s urgent.”
“Of course, my lady.”
Epaphras stomps off, muttering something about his skills being wasted, as he exits the ballroom.
As soon as he’s gone, Hestia fairly leaps upon me. “At last we’re alone! Now tell me quickly,is it true?”
“If I’m to answer, I need to first know the question, Hestia,” I reply, though she no doubt wishes to discuss the attempt on the king’s life.
“My lady’s maid heard it from her sister, who works as a laundress, who heard it from a gardener, who heard it from—”
“Dearest,” Rhoda interrupts, “I don’t think we need to know the precise line the news traveled.”
“Right.” Hestia turns to me. “Are you staying in the queen’s rooms?”
I blink. Oh. Then I offer her a sincere smile. “Yes.”
Hestia groans with jealousy. “You are the most fortunate girl in all of the six kingdoms. What are they like?”
“Last night, I bathed in a tub large enough for three to fit comfortably. The walls are lined with oils and fragrances. I put fresh rose petals and lavender oils in the water. If I didn’t fear drowning, I would have slept in it.”
“You must make me a list. I need a copy of the labels from all the bottles.”
“Perhaps I could just—”
“Every. Label,” she says, cutting me off. “I simply must know what brands the queen used!”
