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So instead of asking him, I made the decision myself I drew up taller, raised my chin, took a slinky step closer to him, and said, "Maestro, where is your mask?"

"That’s all you have to say?" He smirked, beautifully

Verusha rushed forward to hand hi, "Do you kno hard it is to find such things the day before the ball? Ah, but you two lad to see the backs of you, that is certain"

He tied the mask on and turned back to hter than the shio of the arded each other, bird to bird, solemn and silent I ached to kiss him, but it was impossible Both in front of Verusha and with two beaks in the way The only proble was that we couldn’t do a darateful creatures," Verushahis coat off in a way that was transparently all about getting her hands on his rule thank you Not a word about how lovely anyone looks What is the world co out the tails of his coat and cutting a grand bow His hair slid down around his irl when he kissed her hand

"And what of you, my little ermine pup?"

"Queens don’t thank their servants," I said, my voice frosty

She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief "I have never been prouder,I ever hoped you would be The day you thank est old woman I’ve ever met," Casper said, and she swatted him in faux annoyance

"A queen does not thank servants, boy You have much to learn about a world that runs on blood You o thanking the servants at the ball, or they’ll know him for what he is"

"And what, exactly, am I? An abomination?"

Her eyes narrowed at him impishly "A secret weapon Your senses will be just a little sharper, your vision just a little clearer As if nature knows you need advantages as you adjust You will helpold fool, you haven’t utterly failed," I said, and Verusha bea, and tio, my dear Save us all"

"And have fun?" Casper added

"Harrumph Fun is for later, once the snow falls on Ravenna’s corpse," Verusha said

"The fun begins once I’ Casper’s arm, and Verusha followed us to the front door of the shop Thite blud froiving thee door for us, and Casper helped rateful finally to feel air on e It wasn’t so large or so small that it would draw attention, nor was it the newest or the oldest It had been recently painted outside, with bright blue appointilt should be And the comfortable and roomy interior could have easily fit four people I tried to settle my dress under me comfortably, but it seeht, the tiny beads dug into my flesh I remembered now that I had sat on the fluffiest of down pillows for the painting in the

Across froeted and leaned, likewise unco at the palace, I had never considered theto the ball in what should have been grand coh the field and into the forest and the ancient clearing where snow fell but didn’t stick I attended e sixteen and had never once sat down in one of the speciallyslippers catch in the carpet of a carriage

Re my responsibilities and suddenly aware of the press of ti Outside, leather reins slapped against curried flanks, and the bludmares screamed and leaped into a run Casper lurched out of his seat and barelythat" He settled back onto the bench, hands clutching the velvet, and I laughed

I’d heard that long ago, the horses had been as benign and harreat prey aniaits besides balk and gallop Now every Bludes started with a jerk, and there were even handles built into the walls for those who needed extra bolstering Verusha had been right; Casper did indeed have a lot to learn

"It’ll be twisty in the city, so you ht want to hold on" I pointed to the handle "But once we’re on the road to the palace, things will be rather boring for a while It takes several hours, and we es and various mishaps"

"Mishaps?"

I waved a hand and leaned with the carriage as ent around a corner "Broken axles,horses, random bears The usual"

With a huff of annoyance, he took off his fine jacket and folded it, showing the brilliant gold within that very nearly matched his hair I was just about to point out the hook on the hen he hung the jacket neatly fro