Abigail's face fell and she sucked in a sharp breath. In her arms, Reed let out a heartbreaking cry. Phoenix leapt to her feet, crossing the small space between them and scooping Reed out of Abigail's hands. As she suspected, Reed stopped mid-wail and hiccuped.

Without a word, Abigail pulled a pair of gloves out of a table-side drawer, covering her bare hands. In the meantime, Reed grabbed a hold of a fistful of Phoenix's hair and yanked.

"Ow!" She jerked back, frowning down at him. His dark eyes studied her face, more astute than she'd expected. "Hi Reed."

His lips cracked into a smile so like Eric's it nearly stopped her heart. "Hi," he said in a chipmunk voice. 

Abigail put a hand to her mouth, tears glistening in her eyes. "He's talking now?" Standing, she reached out for him, and Phoenix passed him back. "I've missed so much."

"Where's the parade?" Phoenix asked Abigail's mother.

"It'll pass through the whole town, ending in the main square at the castle." Beatrice moved to block Phoenix's path. "Shouldn't you know this if you're his sister?"

"They've been apart for some time," Abigail said, moving to Phoenix's side. "You can't honestly be thinking of going."

"Of course I am." Phoenix spun around and spotted her cloak draped over the couch they'd lain her on. 

"But you'll be seen." Abigail shifted Reed to a more comfortable position.

"Castor said I should be seen. I can't let him do this." As Phoenix moved toward the door, Abigail stepped in her path.

"This is about his engagement? It's too late. He's moved on. Just let it go, Phe."

Phoenix bared her teeth down at Abigail. "There is no chance in hells I'm letting that horror anywhere near Eric. Something must have happened - he must not be immune."  She shoved past Abigail, who grabbed her by the wrist with her free hand.

"What are you talking about? Do you know this - this woman he's marrying?"

"Know her?" Phoenix spun back around. "She's Noelle's sister - a demon wandering free. Her gift is sort of like lying or coercion. People believe anything she says, whether or not it's true." 

"Mind control?" Beatrice asked, still standing in the doorway.

"Kind of. Either way, I wouldn't let her have Maverick and I'm sure as hells not letting her have Eric." She glanced at Abigail. "Stay here if you like. But I'm going."

Abigail hugged Reed tighter to her. "I can't - I can't see him with someone else. I don't care if you think it's not real."

"Fine." Phoenix sidestepped Beatrice. "But if I were you, I'd go find my best dress and be ready for this celebration thing tonight."

"Phoenix, I--"

"No." Phoenix fastened her cloak. Beatrice pressed herself against the door jam as though pretending she was part of the wall and not in the middle of their conversation. "You have to go. He has to know you're all right. If you aren't going to tell him about Reed, he should at least know you're alive."

Before Abigail could argue, Phoenix meandered her way back through to the main foyer, two doors over, and exited.

#

Eric adjusted the glove on his left hand while he waited for the carriage at the front steps of the palace, annoyed to be wearing them at all. Narissa didn't think it best to have his "new look" out on display. Announcing him as the heir had been enough of a hurdle to jump, and one Eric never thought Narissa or Bainon would have gone through with.

But one must never underestimate the power of Aundreya's desires.

After convincing Narissa that she and Eric were engaged, Aundreya moved in on Bainon. Eric had sat there at the feast that first night, dumbstruck with how easily they fell into her hands. The next night, Narissa announced Eric's "true" identity as the son of the king, Bainon announced his engagement to Aundreya, and Aundreya herself soothed any ruffled feathers.

"After all," she'd said, addressing the entire crowd at the feast, "what better way to stop the Militia than to show them we already have an heir in place? Who needs theirs?" 

Now, two days later, she looped her arm through Eric's. "Smile, darling. You look so glum."

"I don't like the gloves," he replied, flexing his fingers. He'd been amazed at how easy it was to placate Aundreya. Despite their disastrous dance the first night, she hadn't seemed to notice when he'd suddenly changed his tune and acted as though her lies were taking hold. 

"Those gloves look fine." She placed her hand over his. "It's better this way, isn't it?"

"It is." Eric turned at the sound of approaching footsteps. "Samson, good. What news?"

"The carriage will be pulling up in a minute, sir."

"Your highness," Aundreya corrected him, batting her lashes up at Samson. "He's not just your Commander anymore. He's your prince."

Samson didn't reply, standing at the ready at Eric's side.  He caught Aundreya surveying his second with haughty frustration.

"You can go now," she said.

"I'm fine here, thank you. It's my job to protect my Commander."

"No. Your job is to make sure I'm happy. You want to leave, because that's what's best for me right now. Go."

Samson blinked, turned on his heel, and marched away. Eric resisted the urge to call him back, grinding his teeth instead.  His Second had agreed to the plan to go along with Aundreya's wishes until the opportune time to tell her the truth, but Eric hadn't factored in Samson's inability to resist Aundreya's lies.  

It required a regular reminder of the plan, what Eric needed from Samson, and how they had to continue. Luckily for Eric, Samson's loyalty ran deep enough for Aundreya's lies to be forgotten...eventually.

"There it is." Aundreya shielded her gaze from the midday sun as the open carriage came toward them.

Bainon and Narissa, who stood several steps ahead of them, glanced around. "Are you coming, my dears?" Narissa asked.

They approached the carriage, Bainon handing Narissa inside, Eric doing the same for Aundreya. The couples sat opposite each other, Aundreya and Narissa keeping up friendly conversation as the carriage pulled out, beginning the procession.

Many of Eric's men followed behind, lined up like little toy soldiers, marching behind their king. As they entered the streets, the people of Osha stood out to meet them, cheering and waving as they passed. Eric and the other three waved back, smiling and nodding.

These people respect their king, Eric thought as he watched Bainon reach out and clasp the hand of a man as they went slowly by. What basis does the Militia have for anarchy?

"Ugh, they smell," Aundreya said under her breath as she put one hand to her nose, the other still waving. 

Ah, well there's her. Eric restrained the desire to roll his eyes and continued. Aundreya might be an object for contention, but she'd never be queen, as Eric wouldn't be king. 

But if I thought she really could be queen, I might be willing to rise up against her.

But they don't even know about her yet, another voice argued. Eric pushed all the thoughts aside, letting his mind wander as he went through the motions.

Near the end of the procession, Eric caught sight of something strange. A cloaked figure stood in the crowd, not clapping or cheering, their face entirely covered. Something tingled at the base of Eric's spine as the figure moved closer, heading right for the carriage. Time seemed to slow as Eric shifted into play.

Reaching down, Eric realized he didn't have his sword - Narissa had insisted he wouldn't need any weaponry. The figure drew closer, and Eric saw the silver glint of a dagger as the stranger raised their hand high, close enough now to cause damage if they threw it.

With his hands gloved, Eric didn't have access to his new powers, but he spread his arms wide, blocking Bainon across from him. The figure's arm stretched back, ready to throw the dagger...

And was hit sidelong by someone else, taking both of them to the ground.

"Stop!" Eric shouted, already standing in the carriage. He hopped out, his men breaking formation to surge forward on the two in front of the crowd, fighting for the dagger. More men descended upon the carriage, whisking Aundreya away at her behest, though Narissa and Bainon demanded to stay behind. 

In the chaos, the struggle before him had ended, a woman having knocked the cloaked man unconscious. His hood had fallen back in the struggle, and Eric crouched down beside him.

"He's just a boy. Maybe fifteen?" Something about the young man felt familiar, but Eric couldn't place his face. "Why would the Militia send a child?"

"They didn't. He's acting alone." 

Eric straightened, turning to thank the woman for her act of bravery, but the words died on his tongue. 

Before him stood a familiar face, her fiery red hair in disarray from her struggle, her green eyes filled with both fear and excitement. 

"Nice day for a parade," she said, her muscles tensed like she was poised to run.

"With some exceptions," Eric replied, joy warring with anxiety at her arrival. As much as he may have tried to deny it, seeing her here suddenly felt like a missing piece had returned to him.

"Who is this darling creature who saved us?" Bainon asked, stepping up to Eric's side. "My dear young lady, you have our gratitude."

"My name is Phoenix," she said, accepting Bainon's greeting and bowing at the same time. "I only wanted to help. I think that young man might be a bit disturbed."

"We'll take him in for questioning." Bainon spun his pointer finger in a circle, and Eric's men moved to comply, dragging the boy away. Eric watched Phoenix follow their movements, concern evident on her face.

"You've saved our lives," Narissa stretched out her hand, palm down. "We must find a way to repay you."

"Oh I don't need--"

"Nonsense." Narissa looked Phoenix up and down, taking in her shabby appearance. "A commoner - I'm not surprised, but I am pleased.  You will join us tonight for the celebration feast honoring my son's engagement."

Phoenix's mouth popped open and Eric tensed. "She doesn't need--"

"Every good turn deserves to be rewarded." Narissa placed her hand on Eric's arm. "Don't be so prejudice."

"But I don't exactly have an outfit for that sort of thing," Phoenix said, eyes wide.

"I'll handle that. Leave your address with one of Eric's men here and you'll be taken care of." She tugged at Eric's arm. "Come, we have much to do before tonight." She paused just as she reached the carriage once more, glancing over her shoulder.

"And Phoenix, dear, I expect to see you there."

#

Phoenix stepped back into the Truso manor fifteen minutes later, head still spinning.

"Well?" Abigail appeared in the foyer with Reed. "Did you see him?"

"Worse - I saved him."

"How's that worse? What happened?"

"Narissa invited me to tonight's celebration. She's sending over a dress as we speak." Phoenix put a hand to her head.

"Well, you can't go," Abigail said, shifting Reed to her hip. "It isn't safe."

"I know, Aundreya will be there." Phoenix thanked Adonai that Aundreya had been taken away before speaking to Eric. "But I don't have a choice. Narissa expects me."

Abigail pursed her lips. "If you're going, I'm going with you. I'm not letting you do this alone."

Phoenix grimaced. "You may regret that. I think I need to sneak down to the dungeons and question their newest prisoner."

♪Phoenix is going to the ball♫

She doesn't have a chooooice.

All right - you know who that young man is, right? Sure you do.

I want all your thoughts - thoughts on Eric's plan, on Aundreya in general, on what you think Samson will do when he sees Phoenix for the first time, on Narissa and Bainon, on the stranger who attacked Eric...

TELL ME ALL THE THINGS.

Also, tell me what color you think Phoenix's dress should be. I can't decide, so you can help!