Chapter Ninety-Four

  The dining room at the Dragonfly Inn was at least filled with familiar faces. The guests who’d graced Ma Bell's table who hadn’t been too prickly towards Harmony had all gotten invites. The flows and their stage crew joined the crowd. Some of the staff from Coodly's Manor were there. Personal staff and bodyguards were free to join in as Ma Bell’s staff and hired guards were in full force. Old friends and those two steps above strangers who she knew between her table time with them and the dossiers she’d read from Max.

  It was gratifying because of how unlikely any of these folk were secret assassins. Thorne had promised her the group behind the kidnapping wouldn’t physically attack her. The seventh floor had proven that it was only partially true. Unless that was a different group than the one who tried to kidnap Rose? How many groups and organizations had her existence pissed off?

  “Lady White, back from conquering Nae’s Garden!” The introduction from the staff brought a round of appuse from the crowd, which interrupted Harmony’s distressing thoughts. [Poise and Bearing] Smile and wave.

  Large crowds were not Hyacinth's thing so he had slipped away to rest before the evening's pnned evolution. But with Adric at one elbow and Ambrosia at the other, she was fully supported. The first tray of alcohol passed by holding cocktails of varying designs. Snatching one, Harmony downed it in one big swallow. Only in the aftertaste could she find the hint of raspberry and mint. It burned her throat and warmed her body. She needed that. [Recall] set a reminder not to do that too much.

  Adric arched his eyebrow but didn’t comment.

  A lubricant to ease killer memories and social anxieties. It almost rexed her enough to check out the evolution options, but that would be too distracting and demand immediate attention and access to the books in her room. Why tease herself that way. The guest of honor shouldn’t run from her party.

  Ma Bell approached. “Congratutions are in order over the garden, and did you manage to cross that threshold?” The Innkeeper asked with some curiosity.

  “Yes. My next choice is coming.” She grabbed another drink but this time only sipped it. "It's a bit intense."

  “Then this might as well be a farewell party. I can’t say hosting you hasn’t been eventful, and I hope the connections you’ve made here remain in your memory.”

  “Are you revoking my stay?” Harmony asked.

  “Oh, no dearie. But I imagine with only a little more than a handful of days before the Ascendant Games you’ll want to head home to prepare.”

  That would be the next leg of her path if she made it past the queen. “I suppose so. The Dragonfly Inn will always fly in my memories. Feel free to quote that.”

  “Oh, I will.” She answered with a chuckle. “Now enjoy the party, I hope you find it better than what the court will introduce you to.” With a deep curtsy, her host left.

  One thing she’d learned at the woman’s dinner table was that she was a bit of a gossip. That was why she pushed conversations rather than anything malicious. Ma Bell was sure to be spreading how Harmony reached evolution while staying at her Inn. The news was going to leak soon anyway.

  Harmony mingled, [Recall] allowing her to ease into conversations with the many faces of her stay at Naewauld, asking how they’ve been with details be it Berthold’s investments or Sir Watsford’s nephew. A talk with Fel about how Astel was doing after having repced Bates.

  It was easier to talk to them than go for deeper conversations with those joining her at court tomorrow. Maxwell was already a little tipsy, and a few misinterpreted words might send his oath to her off.

  Len was deep in conversation with some of the members of the flows, gesturing a little wildly. Conspiracy theorist would probably be a hard profession to reign in. Had she suggested the wrong one? How would her choices affect her?

  She couldn’t avoid them forever, and she wanted help with evolution research. It was the one she didn't want help from who approached first.

  Tyler, stumbling over, cornered her, drunk, sparks of orange fshing in his eyes and ears loud enough that Harmony didn’t need soul sense to see them. Now she had a reason to excuse him from coming up to help discuss her evolution options. “Is it true what Lady Lois said in her interview?” He asked with a slurring hesitantness.

  Oh ashes, the interview! That slipped her mind in the stress of the climb and the whole killing people issue. [Poise and Bearing] snapped into pce. “I’m afraid I have yet to read the reporter's article, so I can’t say what she wrote.”

  “That Lady White has yet to find love. No special someone is waiting for her after she dangerously climbs Nae's Garden alone. I know I’m not, but Adric isn’t either?”

  The prince wasn’t far enough away not not snort a chuckle at that which Harmony ignored.

  “Prince Adric is my bonded. I might have made a few mistakes early on but I’d never control him in that way. He’s more worried about caring for and managing me than I am for him.” Harmony turned to Adric. “Which I am grateful for, Addy.” She turned back to Tyler. “But no we're not lovers. Were you worried about that?”

  “Have you seen him?” Tyler blurted out.

  “Oh yes, he’s pretty and adorable, but you take on the responsibility and trials of having a pet and see how you feel. The truth is I told Lady Lois that I’m not focused on retionships while I’m working towards and through the Ascendant Games.”

  Tyler winced as his ears glowed like there was a fire inside of them. “Harm, I…”

  That better not be another expression of his undying love! Harmony cut him off. “Go sober up. We have the court to face tomorrow.” Authority ced her voice. It stung. Reminding her she might have reached the threshold to evolve but hadn't crossed it yet. Until she did court would be a death sentence.

  She wasn't the only one at risk. This would be a good time to find Princess Rosaline. Maybe if she could get her in a private room then they could talk. Harmony scanned the crowd for her or Hargreaves. “Adric, have you seen your sister?”

  The prince winced. “While you were chatting up guests, she confronted me to ask if it was true that you’ve reached the spot where you can evolve. I didn’t lie. I don’t think she expected to be the st to need to reach that point. After a bit of a huff, she left.”

  Bloody weeds, she should have pulled her aside sooner. Probably wouldn’t have listened anyway. Hargreaves was a capable sort and could provide more than enough protection. “That’s disappointing.” No use chasing after her, the princess made her choice, and now she needed to make hers. “I’m ready for this party to be over. It's time to find my path.”