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other to pay attention to me. The prince would be too occupied with announcing the guests.
    I concentrated on the royal couple and the prince, attempting to prepare myself. The king and queen’s love for each other was unmistakable. She leaned into him and clung as tightly as real ivy. He beamed at her and looked prouder than an Ayorthaian lyrebird. As I watched, Ivi’s expression turned impish, oh-so-adorably impish. She touched her husband’s cheek and whispered in his ear. For a moment he looked discomfited. Then he exploded into laughter, and she looked vastly pleased with herself.
    Feeling I was intruding by watching them, I looked instead at the prince, who cocked his head in a doggy way when a guest spoke to him. He traded witticisms with the guests. He seemed to have a light heart and a clever tongue.
    When a guest reached the king, he held her hand or put his arm around her shoulder. Ivi whispered, “Thank you,” to each one—I couldn’t hear, but I could read her lips. She smiled the same smile each time, too, brilliant, but automatic and lacking warmth, nothing like the melting smiles she bestowed on her husband.
    I grew desperate. Only a dozen people were ahead of us.
    Most guests spoke their congratulations, but some sang a verse of their own composition. One guest had a flawless high soprano. She wasn’t as beautiful as the queen, but she was a beauty, dark skinned with a face of gentle curves. She sang,
    â€œCongratulations!
    Â Â  May your voices mingle
    Â Â  Long and late.”
    The duchess whispered, “We expected the king to marry Lady Arona, who would have been a much better match. And we wouldn’t have had such an inauspicious wedding, either, if Arona had been the bride.”
    Not necessarily. Lady Arona might have had a sore throat, too.
    â€œLong and late.
    Â Â  May your double life
    Â Â  Spin a single melody …”
    Ivi’s smile faded. She smoothed a stray lock of gray hair behind the king’s ear. She was demonstrating her claim to him. She was jealous!
    â€œOf joy
    Â Â  Forever,
    Â Â  Of joy
    Â Â  Forever,
    Â Â  Of joy
    Â Â  Forever!”
    King Oscaro patted Ivi’s hand. Now I was jealous. The gesture was so loving. No one would ever pat my hand that way.
    He spoke, loud enough for me to hear, “Thank you, Lady Arona. Your good wishes can hardly fail to come true.” He paused and then burst out, “Arona, is my Ivi not a wonder?” He turned to Ivi. “My dear, you are always lovely, but tonight you outshine the stars.”
    Ivi looked smug. Lady Arona seemed to take the king’s remarks with good grace. She curtsied and started off, down the corridor.
    Four people now separated the duchess and me from the prince.
    â€œYour Grace?” I said.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œI forgot …” What could I have forgotten? “I forgot my handkerchief. I’d better fetch it. I’ll—”
    â€œNonsense. I’m not going to wait—”
    â€œYou needn’t—”
    â€œHow dare you interrupt me!”
    Two people remained before us.
    â€œYour Grace, I can’t stay. Let me go. I must go.”
    She understood. “Don’t be silly. I didn’t bring a companion in order to be alone.” She stepped closer to the prince.
    I followed her. I was uglier than a hydra. I was as big as the corridor. There was nothing to look at but me.
    Prince Ijori announced the duchess. I stood frozen.
    She stepped forward. “Congratulations, Sire. Congratulations, Your Majesty. I hope you’ll be very happy.”
    I didn’t move. I stared at the floor. My blush was as red as raw meat.
    The duchess said, “Aza! The king is waiting!”

CHAPTER SEVEN

    I HEARD A GIGGLE behind me. I took a half step forward. Then I froze again. I couldn’t do it. I decided to run.
    But Oochoo saved me. She came to me, tail wagging madly. I reached down and