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dropping her eyes again. She brings her hands up to her lips, then slides them gently to her throat, all the while staring demurely at her lap. Then she flicks her eyes up again.
    She smiles.
    She’s flirting with the mirror, and in that instant, I know the truth.
    â€œShe’s in love with herself,” I say in a voice barely louder than a whisper, and then I clasp my hands over my mouth.

Chapter Seven
    Samantha
    â€œWHAT?” HISSES ZOL.
    Suddenly everyone is craning for a better look. It’s clear that my theory is correct, even as I get squashed out to the edge of the circle. The Princess has risen and is standing by the mirror now, smiling and chatting to her reflection. She doesn’t look ill at all. In fact she looks . . . radiant.
    Renel clears his throat, trying to take back some control of the crowd. “Yes, yes, well done, Kemi.” He glares at me. “Princess Evelyn was poisoned by a love potion we believe she made by her own hand.”
    Unbelievable. Love potions are dangerous—not to mention illegal—and the original recipe was wiped from existence by royal decree well over a century ago. Anyone who even writes out a new recipe in their private journals draws the attention of the Novaen secret service. Arjun thinks the fact that the royal family hasthat power is scary and oppressive, but at least it keeps people safe—except for, I suppose, the princess. I’m impressed. I didn’t think it was possible for royals to mix their own potions. Their Talent is so strong, who knows what effect it would have on the ingredients.
    â€œAttention. Attention!” Renel claps his hands. When no one turns to look at him, he touches his staff to the wall, and the window to the princess goes dark.
    â€œShe doesn’t look like she’s in mortal danger,” says someone I don’t recognize.
    â€œThen you don’t understand anything about the royal family and aren’t fit for this hunt,” snaps the king. “We dedicate our lives to keeping the flow of magic in check. If Evelyn’s mind is compromised in any way . . .”
    â€œShe could bring the entire city of Kingstown to its knees,” says my granddad. “Once again endangering us all,” he mutters under his breath, so that only I can hear.
    The king doesn’t say anything, but his silence speaks volumes.
    Renel steps up again. “Now you understand the gravity of the situation. We have enough doctors here to keep the princess in a stable condition. But that could change. How quickly we can save her is down to you.
    â€œNow, there hasn’t been a Wilde Hunt in over sixty-five years, so I must make you aware there are several rules that must not be broken. Not only will the royal family enforce the rules, but the hunt demands it.
    â€œOne: Only Participants called by Auden’s Horn are eligible to compete in the Wilde Hunt. The first Participant or his apprentice to submit a potion that turns the horn gold will be declared the winner. Submit the wrong formula, and the horn will remain black.
    â€œTwo: You are the chosen Participants, but you still have a choice. You have twenty-four hours following the call of the horn to enter your name. Once you do, you are bound to the hunt. In return, you will be issued with royal-approved Wilds passes, giving you access to anywhere you need to hunt for ingredients.
    â€œThree: In addition to the Participant and his apprentice, one Finder may be chosen per team.
    â€œAnd finally: Since a love potion antidote is a mirror cure, the winning potion must be as close to the princess’s formula as possible. That means that all ingredients used in this Wilde Hunt potion must be natural.”
    â€œYour Highness, with all due respect, that is preposterous!” Zol exclaims. “We could have a synthetic potion prepared in days . . . Hunting for the ingredients could take weeks.”
    The king