Urchin led us through the room and I struggled not to stare at the lay out. Above our heads hung a massive kelp bed held aloft by something I couldn’t see, lit with tiny lights and strung with pearls and starfish. I froze as something moved within the swirling plant’s beds. A sea otter swam through the kelp as if it were water over our heads and not air. That display would take a lot of power, but I didn’t see any Sylph’s—air elementals—around holding it together.

The tiny creature grabbed at a fish that shot past and swirled in a circle as it played. A second otter joined, and they twinned around one another in a dance that should have been impossible.

“They don’t know they aren’t in water. The Sylph ambassador set it up before she . . . left.”

I turned to see Ayu staring at the otter with me. “Left. Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“For now, yes. You’d best hurry. Your ambassador is ahead of you, and I doubt you want to let her out of arm’s length.”

She was right, Belladonna was sitting at her assigned chair. Her hands trembled as she reached for the goblet at her place setting.

Lifted it to her mouth.

Tipped her head as her lips parted. The gates to the home of her body opened.

A cold shot of fear lanced my heart.

“Belladonna! Manners!” I yelled across the room at her, making everyone stop and stare at us. I strode forward. “You know better. Are you the ambassador or am I?”

Her eyes widened and then narrowed. “Ender, you overstep.” She lifted the goblet again as I reached her.

I slapped it out of her hands.

“Your father would be embarrassed.”

She shot to her feet.

Requiem stood behind her. “Ladies, please. There is no need to be so formal. Of course, let your ambassador dig into the meal. It was especially prepared with her in mind.”

“Of course, it was.” I reached out and grabbed Bella’s wrist, gripping it until the bones under my hands ground together. She whimpered, but I didn’t look at her, I kept my eyes on Requiem. “Perhaps you would like to share a goblet with my ambassador, in a show of good faith?”

Belladonna looked at me and I glanced at her, softening my hold on her wrist. I saw the understanding hit her and she relaxed. “I think that is a wonderful idea.” I let go, knowing she understood as well as I did.

Let nothing pass the gates to your home, for you will not see the dawn. The food and drink were poisoned. We were no more safe now than we had been when we first stepped foot into the Deep.

Requiem shook his head and patted his belly. “Alas, I have already eaten my fill, but here, I will drink to your . . . health.” He scooped up the goblet and downed it in a single gulp.

How, how could he do that if it was poisoned? I was sure I was right though and was staking our lives on it.

“So much for manners,” Belladonna muttered under her breath. Louder, she said. “Shall we sit and converse then?” She didn’t touch the food, and relief swept through me.

Requiem gave her a nod and they sat side-by-side launching into a discussion about the best ways to rule. By force, bribery, fear, or adoration. I stepped back to give them room. Not because they needed it, really. More because it was what was expected of me.

The night dragged, the smell of food made my mouth fill with saliva and my mind wander. Undines began to leave in twos and threes before Requiem stood. “Lovely speaking with you, Belladonna. You are a creature of fascinating contradictions. Ambassador, princess, lady of culture, and yet there is so much power in you.”

She tipped her head slightly. “A woman no matter how plain she seems is always a sea of mystery, Requiem. Surely at your advanced age you must know that by now?”

Oh snap. I had to bite the inside of my mouth to keep from laughing out loud.

Requiem’s eyes darkened. “You play a dangerous game.”

I stepped forward. “And you aren’t?”

He raised his eyes to mine and I realized we were pretty much alone, the three of us at the head of the table. “You two are free to roam wherever you like for the remainder of your stay. Just be warned that not all of my people welcome you as I do, so I cannot guarantee your safety outside your rooms.”

I didn’t stop the snort that escaped me. Requiem ignored me and dropped his eyes to Belladonna. “Your mother, is she well?”

Belladonna stiffened, her whole body suddenly vibrating with tension. “She’s quite well, thank you.”

A slow smile spread across his lips. “I do believe it has been years since I spoke with her. Perhaps I should send her a message, invite her to see me crowned.” He rubbed his hand over his jaw.

Belladonna stood, pushing her chair back. “I am tired. It has been a long two days. Goodnight, Requiem.”

She took a measured pace, not hurrying but not dawdling either. I walked at her side, glancing back to Requiem. His smile only widened as our eyes met. He lifted a hand and waved.

The walk to our room was silent. Belladonna went straight in and began to pace. I stood in the doorway. “Stay here, I’m going to see about some food.”

“Everything will be poisoned, Lark.” Her gray eyes were clouded with frustration and more than a little fear.

“How can that be? They all ate. Even Requiem downed a goblet.”

She rolled her eyes at me. “I forget you didn’t take the schooling we did. Every family has things they are resistant to. Things they can ingest or be infected with, with no affect.”