The banquet hall was thick with air, perfumed and softly whispered. Chandeliers revolved lazily overhead, casting radiance and stretching shadows across silk gowns and masked faces.
Reth's heart beat in his ears. He froze, frozen by her gaze.
The woman standing before him had a silver mask in the form of raven wings. The sunlight struck it at the perfect angle, cutting as a blade. Her red lips parted. A single word hung between them.
"You."
He clutched the tray harder. One glass remained — golden and bubbling softly.
He appeared like any other servant. Simple brown attire. Slumped shoulders. Bad arm carefully tucked into a clean cuff. He had to maintain the pose. One person seeing him might ruin everything.
Asthia and Elenya were betting on him staying under the radar, getting what they required, and getting out scot-free. The woman before him wasn't in the equation.
Reth's gaze remained on the floor. His voice was low, soothing.
