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Araine spotted Jasin Goldentone--doing his best to keep his distance--and beckoned hier

"You’re off the hook for the Bachelor’s Ball, Jasin," the Duchess Mum said when the herald scurried over "Rojer and his wives will handle the music"

"But Your Grace," Jasin sputtered, "surely I ahed "More qualified than Halfgrip, fiddle wizard of the Hollow? Be glad that’s the only job he’s taking froue Araine ht be a dim old bat, but when it came to royal parties, her poas absolute

"I think it’s time we took our seats," Araine said "Come, Melny, help an old woman" The duchess took her mother-in-law by the arm, and Araine leaned on her as they made their way to the table

Others took the cue andthe knife "Look on the sunny side," he told Jasin, "at least they’ll stop calling you Secondsong in the guildhouse now" He sue"

Jasin bared his teeth, but Rojer affected not to notice, tightening his ar her to their seats

"Provoking your blood enemies is unwise, husband," Amanvah said "Better to let the about vengeance is wise," Rojer said "But I don’t trust the afterlife to make Jasin pay for what he’s done to me I want to see hi he holds uessed

"His reputation," Rojer said "Nothing will cut Goldentone deeper than being known as second best"

Dinner was long and tedious, with endless speeches and false clailowered at each other, and all cast mistrustful eyes at Amanvah and Sikvah

But as always in Rhinebeck’s palace, the as free flowing, and Rojer had been seated next to the Duchess Melny, who laughed easily, her bosoot the punch lines

A his attention back to her as she leaned close to his ear "If you are done a the harlot, husband, I have questions"

"That ‘harlot’ is Duchess of Angiers," Rojer said

Alance The duchess smiled back, oblivious "I’ve seen this before A er and stupider brides year after year, more interested in the act than the result The only difference here is that his mother," she nodded to Araine, "acts as Jiwah Ka, and he sha new ones"

"That’s …" Rojer paused "Actually quite apt But not soes’ are not so blunt about these things"

A, like one would stroke a pet "Then it will be our job to civilize you"

Rojer changed the subject "What questions?"

Amanvah nodded to the far end of the table The dessert plates had been cleared, and servants were pouring after-dinner wine A few courtiers not ranking enough to secure a seat at the table had been granted entrance to the dining hall Coliv appeared, putting his back to the wall behind Amanvah He had not been allowed to carry weapons openly at court, but Rojer knew that made him no less able to protect his mistress

At the end of the table, Jasin Goldentone had been joined by a group of sycophants, but he was now flanked by a large, familiar pair that put a heavy lump in Rojer’s throat

"Those tear the uards, yes?" Amanvah asked