Zaethan twitched irritably when he realized the others had gone quiet. Sayuri crossed her arms, while both Ira and Dmitri listened curiously. The y’siti stared blankly into her empty glass, feigning disinterest for the sake of the others.

“It—” Zaethan cleared his throat and poured a shot of water. “It turned out exactly as intended.” With a cheeky smirk, he tossed the water back.

“I’m relieved to hear it.” She nodded solemnly and stroked the muzzle of the highlander wolx. His forelegs were folded under her chair in order to rest his oversized head in her lap.

“Here, here!” Ira splashed his glass with sparkling fluid and nudged a shoulder into Zaethan. “As did mine, my friend, as did mine. One of Salma’s finest!”

“Get your hands off me,” he snapped.

“You must not have felt that way last night.” Ira’s hands flew up in mock defense when Zaethan raised the pen. “Shtàka, so temperamental! Not that there isn’t a market for that sort of thing.”

“By the Fates, Ira, I’m about to—”

“Right. Now that we’re all settled, shall we begin?” Dmitri bookmarked the ledger and set it aside, replacing it with several pages of parchment scribbled in his own hand. “Last night, word arrived by courier notifying us that the Zôueli royals will arrive in a matter of days. Therefore, I’ve begun listing the arrangements we need to make. After all, their visit is more significant than a mere solstice celebration between allies.” Dimtri placed the parchment down and looked around the five-sided table. “I think it’s time my Quadren knew that we are courting Bahira’Rasha.”

“Princess Rasha?” Zaethan couldn’t help his surprise. After their recent arguments, he’d given Dmitri space, but he’d never imagined his friend would keep something so vital out of their conversations. “Are you courting her, or is the Peerage?”

“I’d prefer we use her Zôueli title. It might seem more welcoming,” Dmitri emphasized, for Zaethan’s benefit, no doubt. “Bahira’Rasha is a strong choice. The Peerage suggested the match, but I’ve…consented to their wisdom.”

“Courting?” Sayuri sputtered, the smooth perfection of her brow crinkling erratically. “For what?”

“Ah, the shapely lands of Razôuel.” Ira’s hands met behind his mop of hair. “Think you could handle a Zôueli queen, Your Highness? They’re so…bossy.” He grinned.

Sayuri’s gilded features fell. “Queen…”

“Thank you, Lord Bastiion. That very attitude is why I’ve taken the liberty of drafting some assignments, if you will. Rasha’s mother, Bahira’zol’Jaell, will be accompanying her and her brother, Bahir’Tozune, to Bastiion. I’m told he is eleven or so. Ira,” Dmitri rapped the wood, “write this down.”

“I’m certain even I can remember the name of an eleven-year-old.”

“Good, because he will be your charge.” Dmitri’s quill pen skirted over the folds in his parchment. “He enjoys riding and archery. As both activities require a sober mind, let’s start drying you out.”

Seizing Ira’s goblet in hand, Zaethan promptly replaced it with a glass of water.

“You want me to babysit—”

“A prince. Bahir’Tozune, precisely. Moving on…Zaeth…” He flipped to a second page of notes. “Have you prepped the palace for the Zôueli party? I believe they are to be housed in the eastern wing, is that correct?”

“It’s the most logical placement. We retain our ability to monitor their security, while they can enjoy the views. The western wing would be more secure, but I doubt their queen would tolerate the docks.”

Zaethan listed other provisions, sentry counts, and accommodations for the Zôueli guard. As he finished, Ira stifled a disgruntled yawn, while the y’siti caressed her mutt absently. Sayuri reclined in wordless disbelief.

There’s one benefit to this news, he thought.

“Most impressive, Lord Darakai. As always.”

Zaethan leaned back, pleased. It felt like ages since his friend had acknowledged his aptitude for anything. Dmitri referenced his final page. “Lastly would be Bahira’Rasha herself. My mother will personally host the queen, but Rasha may require a sort of…social escort during our festivities.”

Smoothing her inky hair where it slipped down her shoulder, Sayuri sat up a little taller. “I suppose I could introduce the princess into my elite circles.”

“Thank you, Lady Pilar. That’s very gracious of you,” Dmitri said, patting her jeweled fingers. “However, Rasha has evidently harbored a fascination with the lands of Boreal since girlhood.” Withdrawing his hand and glancing at the y’siti, he added, “Luscia, would you be kind enough to assist me? I fear she’ll quickly grow bored of my conversation, with my avid appreciation of herbaceous shrubbery and whatnot. Might you relieve her from time to time?”

Without warning, Pilar’s seat skidded backward as Sayuri stood and slammed her palms onto the tabletop in front of the witch. Dmitri grabbed his cane, bewildered.

“Lady Pilar!”

Her scrutiny narrowed as she inched closer to the y’siti. Amber against snow, their noses almost touched. “I know what you are doing, you putrid northern whore. And you are going to regret it.”

The prince shot to his feet. “Sayuri!”

The y’siti’s strange eyes sparkled when she glanced up for the first time that morning. “Remember yourself, Lady Pilar. I won’t remind you again.”

Zaethan broke from Dmitri’s side when her war-tainted animal’s ears flattened, and his snarl revealed a set of elongated canines. Gripping Sayuri by the arm, Zaethan dragged her into the hall. Standing watch in the shadow of a column nearby, the Najjani captaen stepped into the light streaming through the wall of windows. The northman’s skin, normally so pale, now rivaled the shade of his hair, and his face was twisted with rage.

Briskly, Zaethan heaved the Pilarese al’Haidren down the corridor and around the bend.

“Y’siti trash, all of them! He is utterly enthralled by her, Zaethan. Enthralled!” she shrieked. “Don’t you see it?”

“Depths, Sayuri,” he hissed, “of course I see it.”

“Then what are we going to do about it?”

“Shtàka.” Zaethan tossed her into an alcove. “We aren’t going to do anything.”

Her hands planted on the slight curve of each hip. “Something has to be done about the witch before her spell infects him for an entire lifetime. We both know what I’m saying is true.”