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He barked a laugh of humor and relief "Clever, Coriane, very clever"

They bypassed the ticket booths, as well as the public entrance to the theater Tibe led her up one of the winding staircases, offering her a better view of the e, she wondered who made this place, but deep down, she knew Red labor, Red craftsnetrons to aid the process There was the usual twinge of disbelief How could servants create such beauty and still be considered inferior? They are capable of wonders different froh handiwork and practice, rather than birth Is that not equal to Silver strength, if not greater than it? But she did not dwell on such thoughts long She never did This is the way of the world

The royal box was at the end of a long, carpeted hall decorated by paintings Many were of Prince Robert and Queen Anabel, both great patrons of the arts in the capital Tibe pointed the by a portrait of Robert and his ," a voice said froh, Prince Robert’s voice had a er blood in his fa silently across the carpet with long, elegant strides A silk, Coriane knew, reility, balance, lending hi hair fell over one shoulder, glea in dark waves of blue-black As he closed the distance between theh lines around his mouth and eyes

"She doesn’t think it a true likeness of us--too pretty, you know yourto stop in front of the painting He gestured to Anabel’s face and then his own Both seeloith youth and vitality, their features beautiful and eyes bright "But I think it’s just fine After all, who doesn’t need a little help now and then?" he added with a kind wink "You’ll find that soon enough, Tibe"

"Not if I can help it," Tibe replied "Sitting for paintings led a glance at hih For a crown"

"Well said, Lady Jacos, well said" Robert laughed, tossing back his hair "Step lightly around this one, otten your manners?"

"Of course, of course," Tibe said, and waved his hand, gesturing for Coriane to cohter of Lord Harrus, Governor of Aderonack And Coriane, this is Prince Robert of House Iral, Sworn Consort of His Royal Majesty, King Tiberias the Fifth"

Her curtsy had improved in the past months, but not by much Still, she attempted, only to have Robert pull her into an embrace He smelled of lavender and--baked bread? "A pleasure to finally th For once, Coriane did not feel as if she was being examined There didn’t seem to be an unkind bone in Robert’s body, and he s mo her hand like a doting grandfather

"You htened in Coriane’s chest, an unfaht so

Grinning as widely as she could, she looked over her shoulder to see Tibe following, his eyes on hers, his smile both joyous and relieved

The next day, Tibe left with his father to review troops at a fort in Delphie, leaving Coriane free to visit Sara House Skonos had an opulent town house on the slopes of West Archeon, but they also enjoyed apartments in Whitefire Palace itself, should the royal family have need of a skilled skin healer at any ates unacco to Coriane

"What’s wrong? What is it?" she whispered as soon as they reached the gardens outside the Skonos chambers

Sara drew them farther into the trees, until they were inches froarden wall, with i theh Coriane Has so--would Sara leave them for the war? Coriane selfishly hoped that was not the case She loved Sara as well as Julian did, but was not so willing to see her go, even for her own aspirations Already the thought filled her with dread, and she felt tears prick her eyes