Anwen

I rap on Estrella’s door, the hallway behind me humming with activity. All the delegations are here—including Snowcrest—and the servants race around like ants in a colony, completing final preparations before the welcome ball just getting underway downstairs.

She opens the door.

“Fuck,” I mutter.

“I am going to take that as a compliment.” She puts out her arm for me to take.

“You should.” I shake my head to clear it. She’s beyond ...