“Down the corridor and on your left, my lady,” said the ever-helpful Figgins.
I followed his directions and hurried to meet Vivienne.
“There you are,” she said, jumping up from the sofa and coming over to hug me. “Where were you? I have been waiting for ages.”
“Sorry, Viv, I was at a dress fitting with Aunt Serena. I have to go to a party at Damien’s house tomorrow night.” I scrunched up my nose.
“Oh no.” Vivienne looked suitably upset at the situation. I knew she would understand immediately. “So, where’s Erien?” Vivienne’s eyes scanned the room.
“He’s out.” Why did she care?
“Oh!” Vivienne’s face fell.
“Viv,” I said carefully. “Do you fancy Erien?”
“No, no, of course not. Don’t be silly,” she said, jumping up off the sofa. “I was just asking.”
I smiled. Vivienne definitely had a crush on Erien. It was sweet, and I thought they would make a cute couple. I wondered if I could set them up.
Vivienne changed the subject. “Did you tell your aunt about the book?”
“She knows; Professor Dekela told her.”
Vivienne sat back down next to me, and I proceeded to tell her everything that Aunt Serena had said.
“How can I forget about the book?” I said to Vivienne finally. “If Morgana gets all the keys, she will open the Book of Abraxas and take over the whole of Avalonia. No one will be able to stand in her way.”
“Your aunt and the professor are right,” said Vivienne. “You can’t prance around the kingdom looking for the keys; they could be anywhere. If you don’t learn to use the powers you have, it won’t matter if Morgana has the book or not—she’s going to kill you anyway. Now that your granduncle knows about it too, she can be stopped from ever getting the book or the rest of the keys. You have already done enough and alerted them of Morgana’s plans. If you are going to be a queen, act like it. You need to learn to delegate responsibility. You have to let them handle it.”
I nodded. She had a point, and Vivienne always had a way of putting things in the correct perspective. I had to concentrate on my studies and learn all I could. I couldn’t stay hidden forever, and I needed to prepare myself for what was surely coming. Again, I thought about telling her my other secret, but I decided that this probably wasn’t the right time, and I kept my mouth shut.
The next night, I admired myself in my new evening gown. The creamy satin shimmered in the candlelight, and one of Aunt Serena’s maids did up my horrid mousy hair into an elaborate coiffure of ringlets and pearls, all elegantly pinned up and set beautifully.
As the carriage pulled up to Blackwater House, I looked on, amazed. It was a huge, three-storied stone mansion at least twice the size of Everdale House and richly ornate, but frankly overdecorated, I thought. The inside was even more impressive, with a marble foyer, huge columns, and statues everywhere.
As liveried servants escorted us to the drawing room, I glimpsed intricate tapestries, massive windows draped in fine silk, gilded frames, and portraits that lined the gleaming mahogany walls.
The drawing room was full and bustling with chattering ladies in all their finery, as well as smartly dressed men in their evening doublets and highly polished boots. It was brightly lit with fragrant candles burning in massive silver candelabras and a huge crystal chandelier gleaming overhead, hanging from an ornate and intricately carved ceiling.
“Ah, Serena, how lovely to see you,” said a beautiful lady whose chestnut hair was spun with gold. She wore a maroon dress, which clipped her tiny waist before falling to the floor in a cascade of rich velvet. It was thickly embroidered with gold flowers, and she had matching blooms adorning her elaborate hair.
Aunt Serena greeted the lady warmly. “Sorcha.” She then pulled me forward. “Rory, this is the Duchess of Blackwater.”
“Your Grace,” I said with a small curtsy.
Serena had taught me most of the ways I should address people. I was still confused about ranks. I knew a duke was the highest ranking noble after the king and prince, but then was it a marquis or an earl, a viscount, and then a baron, or the other way around? It was all very confusing.
“So this is Rory,” said the duchess, eyeing me up and down. “Damien has told me about you. I am so sorry about your parents. It is unfortunate and such a huge loss for a girl your age.”
The duchess sounded genuine and was not at all mean like Damien, but I reminded myself to be careful; after all, this was the archmage’s sister I was talking to.
I was introduced around, and most of the people paid me only a passing greeting. I was relieved that no one was too interested in me, as I was not very comfortable answering questions about myself, since I had to lie so extensively.
Soon dinner was announced, and we were led into the dining room, which was also larger than the one at Everdale House. The massive hardwood dining table was highly polished and could easily seat fifty people. White-gloved and liveried footmen, who accompanied us everywhere like shadows, showed us to our seats.
Somehow Damien managed to seat himself next to me. I don’t know where he turned up from; I hadn’t seen him the whole evening. Calisto was seated opposite me near Zorek, but luckily a huge flower arrangement hid me from her view. I was not in the mood for Calisto’s cutting remarks. Next to me, much to my horror, was Lady Leticia Glenbarry, who looked peeved to have been seated next to a nobody like me.
I was plowing through the first of ten courses when Aunt Serena gave me a glare from across the table. I soon remembered that she had warned me that proper young ladies don’t eat as though they have never seen food
