Lady Ireth Valen always smiled with her teeth, not her eyes.
"My dear Seraphina," she said as she leaned in for a kiss on the cheek, "you look… well."
"So do you, Ireth. What a pity mirrors don't lie," I replied sweetly.
The tea set clinked as we sat beneath the ivy-draped gazebo. A tray of sugared petals and fruit-glazed biscuits sat untouched. Ireth's maid poured tea. Mine stood behind me silently—eyes wide, no doubt realizing I wasn't the same girl who once trembled at Ireth's presence.
Ireth took a dainty sip. "I heard about your little incident at the banquet. How fragile you've become."
I tilted my head. "And yet, I'm still more important than you."
Her smile didn't falter. "You've changed."
"Yes," I said, letting the silence stretch. "I've awakened."
***
Ireth was once Seraphina's closest rival. A childhood friend turned political threat.The girl who flirted with Prince Kael even while pretending to help Seraphina win his favor.The girl who accused Elira—the Saint—of consorting with demons, just before her trial.
Poison, gossip, betrayal. Ireth did it all in lace gloves and pearls.
I watched her now, amused. "How is your father, the duke? Still funding rebel causes in the North?"
Ireth's grip on her teacup twitched. "You must be mistaking me for someone else."
"Oh no," I said. "I never forget venom when I've tasted it once."
A flicker of fear passed through her eyes.
Good.
***
As we finished tea, a letter arrived in the hand of a royal messenger.
Ireth's face paled.
"From the palace?" she whispered.
I broke the seal.
"To Lady Seraphina Dorne,You are summoned to a private audience with Crown Prince Kael.Wear the pendant."
I folded the letter and stood. Ireth's breath caught.
"The prince requested… you?"
I leaned in, whispering near her ear."Tell me, Ireth… does betrayal taste sweeter before or after it's served cold?"
I left her speechless, trembling behind her teacup.