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Cyrus nodded. “The usual story will apply, Gerald. I have been called away on business and will return soon, but you are unable to say exactly when or where I am.” He paused and glanced at the tiny sigil on the inside of his wrist. “I hope it will not be necessary to contact you, but keep the whisperseal relay open? Just in case?”

“Of course, my Lord.” Gerald nodded.

Cyrus walked to the far end of his breakfast parlour, tapped a panel in the woodwork and waited as a door opened. Then he walked into the cupboard that wasn’t a cupboard and closed the door behind him. Extracting a tiny key from a pocket inside his waistcoat, he inserted it into a slot and turned it. The descent to the darkness beneath the streets of Caelemar began.

*~~*~~*

In the sunshine above the streets of Caelemar, Maelin and Alladarossa Cordovan walked together past freshly washed shop windows that glistened, reflecting both the young women and the soft waves shushing gently against the wharf.

It was an image that more than a few passers-by noticed; Maelin’s stunning silver-haired cool beauty was a striking contrast to Alla’s chestnut hair, which glinted with golden fire in the sunlight. Both women were around the same height, and Maelin’s slender elegance set against the lush curves of her friend made them a delightful sight.

“So tell me about this ball,” said Alla. “There are rumours and whispers running rife everywhere, so I’ve been told.”

“You have an invitation, yes?”

“Yes. It arrived the same day you did.”

Maelin blew out a silent breath. “She didn’t waste any time, did she?”

“I’ll assume that’s a rhetorical question,” chuckled Alla. “And if you’re talking about Lady Theryn the second, then no, she didn’t.”

“Have you met her?” Maelin glanced at her friend as they made the turn toward the fashion district.

“Only briefly,” replied Alla. She paused. “I’m not sure how to answer questions about her, Mae. She is, after all, a relative of yours, and I’ve no wish to offend you in any way.”

“No...no...” Maelin stopped short, almost tripping Alla. “This is a woman I’ve met once. She has, without any word to me, organised a ball in my honour. She’s hinted that there will be eligible gentlemen in attendance, and I don’t have to be a genius to understand that I’m worth a fair amount in the marriage business.”

“Urgh.” Alla tucked her arm into Maelin’s and urged her forward. “One of those women. That doesn’t raise her in my opinion, you may be sure. And truthfully? She wasn’t very high to start with.”

“Why?”

Alla shrugged. “I have a strong dislike of those who consider themselves better.” She let out an inelegant snort. “Better as in better than me, better than that, better than anything...”

“Ah yes. That quality is definitely there in full force,” sighed Maelin.

“So this ball of yours? If you’re not careful, my darling friend, you’re going to be manoeuvred into a position so tightly bound that you’ll have to fight like the very devil to escape.”

“Er...” Maelin raised an eyebrow at Alla. “That’s rather dramatic, isn’t it?”

“Is it?” Alla slowed her steps a little. “Let’s imagine here...the musicians are winding down after the first set and people are readying themselves to socialise, drink, eat, wander the halls and corridors of Theryn House. Of which there are many, I might add.”

“All right, I can picture that...”

“And there you are, stunningly beautiful, amazingly intelligent, with the Theryn name shining over you like an illuminated sign...”

“I see the picture,” said Maelin dryly.

“On your arm? A gentleman who has been at your side on and off, danced perhaps twice with you, is clearly smitten...and he guides you away from the crowd and through some hidden door, vanishing with you for nearly an hour.”

“Very unlikely.”

“But possible. When you return? You don’t realise that one of your ribbons has come undone at the back of your gown, or that perhaps one curl has loosened. All quite normal occurrences at a ball, of course, but...you’ve been absent with a gentleman. And now you return...”

Maelin’s skin chilled, and she was silent for a long moment. Then she looked at Alla. “I’m trying to decide whether to hug you hard or push you off the wharf, damn you.”

“I see I made my point.” Alla gazed at her friend.

“You did. You did indeed. And you’re absolutely right. So I won’t push you off the wharf, but I might buy you a dress, as well as one for myself.”