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Finbar gave a cutting smile. “Far better than she looked in Daradon, if your previous comment was any indication.”

I fear our gifts might not meet your standards, I’d said. They’d believed I’d been making a jab at Perla.

“A pleasure indeed, my lady,” Perla replied, ignoring the remark. “Especially since I hadn’t imagined seeing you again so soon.”

I suppressed my wince. Though her words had emerged whisper-soft, they’d possessed a definite edge.

“Lady Alissa was visiting the mainland on behalf of your king,” Finbar explained. “She generously decided to join the Ansoran delegation for our fete, along with my cousins, Princess Valeria and Prince Keil.”

“It’s good to meet you, Lady Perla.” Valeria dipped her head in greeting. And though she couldn’t have gathered the full extent of my distress, she’d gathered enough to give Perla a tight, sad smile.

Keil inclined his head next, his expression soft. “Lady Perla. We met in Daradon—”

“Ambassador Arcus,” Perla said, with pointed intensity. “I remember you very well.”

“Oh?” Finbar arched a brow. “Then do tell us what kind of mischief my cousin got up to within the Daradonian court. We’ve heard all manner of conflicting rumors.”

I was about to speak up, irked that Finbar was challenging my earlier claim, but faltered as Perla’s gaze flicked to me and hardened. Because I knew I had not fabricated the glimmer of anger in her eyes before.

During Rose Season, Perla had believed that Keil and I were meeting secretly. What did she think now, seeing us together as part of the Ansoran delegation? Hearing that I’d journeyed here on Erik’s behalf?

Fear slithered inside me. Perla had freed me from Erik’s prison . . . Surely she wouldn’t reveal me as a Wielder now.

She took a deep breath, and I tensed, awaiting the strike. Then she said, “I’m afraid I didn’t spend much time in the ballroom during Rose Season. I cannot comment on Ambassador Arcus’s activities.”

I was quietly exhaling when Finbar looked between me and Keil, a dark gleam in his eyes. “How convenient,” he said.

And I knew that Finbar didn’t trust Keil. Didn’t trust us.

“Come, come.” Holden clapped Keil on the shoulder. “The first jolly is in full swing, and we have prepared a special welcome for our guest, in thanks for her kingdom’s gifts.” He drew a golden necklace from under his collar, revealing an emerald-inlaid crest dangling from its length.

And hanging on the same chain beside it was a short silver ornament shaped like a rose and stem.

My stomach tightened. Because running down the length of that stem in an asymmetrical pattern were sharp little thorns.

Apparently, Perla wasn’t the only gift Erik had delivered to the general.

As Holden led us back toward the main hall, I drifted closer to Perla, who stiffened at my nearness. An odd whirring droned over our footsteps, like the hum of a bumblebee, and I glanced down to find the chain of a pocket watch trailing along Perla’s frilled skirts.

I’d never heard a pocket watch make that sound.

“Where are you residing, Lady Perla?” I smiled, trying to ignore the writhing in my gut. “I would like to call on you while I’m here.”

“Our courtiers dwell within the Crater,” Finbar answered for her. “You’re welcome to join them.”

Valeria gave her cousin a knowing look. “I would advise you against tearing Lady Alissa away from our delegation, Fin. Her betrothed wouldn’t appreciate your attempts to keep her for yourself.”

Her betrothed. Perla drew up at the words. Even Finbar tensed. But rather than deny Valeria’s accusation, the exiled prince simply dipped his head in grim acceptance.

Festivity crashed over us as we re-entered the sweaty throng of the treasure hall. I was side-eyeing Perla, wondering how she would react if I reached toward her with my specter to signal a private meeting, when Holden stopped before a grand door and turned toward me.

“We welcome you, Lady Alissa. And we hope you shall make yourself at home.”

As though on cue, the door opened, and we were swept into another room on a tide of reveling courtiers.

But with my first inhale, I halted. Sudden nausea washed over me, the scent burning like acid down my throat. Panic held me still until the swarm of bodies cleared and I saw for myself the golden walls, all shimmering under a fading sunset.

And all covered in vines of pungent, bursting roses.