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brilliant idea to give you free rein in the city tomorrow.”
    “It wasn’t my idea that I spend all morning looking for some blasted fan to satisfy Serena’s latest whim.”
    Cordon grins, and his gray eyes twinkle. “It was, actually. And I don’t think you have any intention of helping Serena tomorrow. You’ve got something else planned entirely. I just want to know what it is.”
    “I’ve just got a few things I need to take care of,” I say.
    Cordon’s grin vanishes, as though I’ve let him down. “When will you learn to trust those who care about you, enough to tell them the truth?”
    I look away. “I do trust you, Cordon.”
    I leave him standing at the foot of the stairs, aware I’m telling a lie neither of us believe.
     

CHAPTER 10
ELARA
     
     
    W hen I wake up the next morning, I quietly pull on my boots and grab my satchel, careful not to disturb Serena, who is still sleeping. Downstairs, I’m just about to step outside when Marinda, the innkeeper’s wife, asks me to follow her into the kitchen, where a man in a black cloak waits.
    “This is Gunther from the Royal Orphanage. He is here to see how you’re getting on.”
    Gunther nods. He has a pale, pockmarked face and aloof brown eyes which travel dispassionately up and down my body. “Is your stay in Allegria going well?” he asks once his gaze finally lands on my face.
    “It is, thank you.”
    Gunther continues to study me, his eyes moving over my features, and Marinda and I glance uneasily at each other.
    “Perhaps you’d like to stay for breakfast?” Marinda asks, gesturing to a pot of porridge bubbling over the hearth.
    Gunther finally tears his gaze away from me. “No, thank you,” he says to Marinda. And with another nod of his head he departs, leaving us to stare after him.
    Marinda frowns. “That was odd.”
    “Yes, it was,” I agree, “but Mister Blackwell, the orphanage director, is a bit odd too.”
    “That’s the thing of it,” Marinda says. “I don’t understand this business with the orphanage sending you here. I’ve never met Mister Blackwell. I had never heard of him before he sent us his letter and the payment for your rooms. But I’ve seen the outside of the orphanage, and I just don’t see how they can afford to sponsor a trip for you to visit Allegria.”
    I hesitate, unsure how to respond. I still don’t understand why Mister Blackwell pretended to know nothing about Mister Travers. But after all these years, experience has taught me he won’t answer any questions he doesn’t want to.
    Before I can answer, I hear the stairs creaking and the Ogdens’ bickering voices.
    “Could you at least make an attempt to look presentable while we’re here?” Mistress Ogden rants. “My father paid you a hefty dowry because he thought he was sending me into a proper noble family.”
    “Or maybe he was just desperate to be rid of you, dearest. Did you ever think of that?”
    I hastily bid Marinda a good day and leave before the Ogdens see me and change their mind about sending me on an errand.
    Outside, I make my way toward Eleanor Square. Bright morning sunlight glints off the opals inlaid in the cobblestone streets, giving the day a hazy, rainbow-colored feel. The city is even more crowded today. Several men huddle together in groups, speculating about the king’s address and hoping he’ll have something to say about the rising price of grain and the rumors of a brewing war with Kyrenica. I pass a group of women wearing glittery costume masks who debate over what Princess Wilhamina will be wearing during the address.
    Eleanor Square is a large open area bordered by the Galandrian Courthouse on the west and the Clock Tower on the east. The Allegrian Historical Library marks the north side and on the south is the Royal Opera House. The Opal Palace, a monolith of creamy stone and twisting turrets is visible from the Square, rising up on a hill over the southernmost section of Allegria.
    I buy an apple tart