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floor.
    “What’s going on?” she asked Marek.
    He took a large step so he was walking alongside and not behind her. “It appears the castle workers are preparing for something,” he answered.
    Two maids bowed to Allyssa as they rushed by, carrying large bouquets of flowers.
    “What are they preparing for?” Allyssa demanded, stopping to face Marek.
    “I haven’t been told what specifically.” He clasped his hands behind his back and kept his focus just above her head, not meeting her piercing gaze. If they were alone, she would have punched him in the stomach for his ridiculous formality.
    “Take a guess,” she said, putting her hands on her hips, her temper heating up instead of cooling down. She was the crown princess. He had to answer her truthfully.
    His eyes flickered to hers momentarily before staring at that blasted spot above her head again. Marek cleared his throat and said, “Someone of importance is arriving. That’s all my father said.”
    Allyssa started tapping her foot. “He didn’t tell you anything else?”
    Marek shook his head. Allyssa resumed walking. When they had received word that Prince Zek of Fia was coming, her parents had barely done anything to prepare for his arrival. Of course, he was of little consequence. So whoever was coming now had to be of great significance to warrant so much preparation. But why keep her in the dark? Unless this was what her father planned to discuss with her. Given the fact that he wanted to talk in private because of her temper, this must have something to do with her. Something she might not take kindly to. She stormed into the library.
    A fire roared in the massive hearth, casting a soft glow throughout the four-story room. She went straight to the section where the histories of the kingdoms were and immediately located the book her tutor had assigned. Since her guards were waiting patiently at the library’s entrance for her, she made her way to her favorite section. Trailing her fingers over the spines, she found the next book in the series she was reading for pleasure about a girl from a foreign continent who had magic and used a bo staff to wield that power. Allyssa was eager to learn if the girl defeated the evil king.
    Fairly certain she could remain calm when she spoke to her parents, she headed to the royal wing, discreetly observing the people still awake and moving about. She had never seen this much activity at night. One sentry was meeting with a handful of guards, waving his arms about as if giving instructions. Several kitchen workers were carrying baskets of food to the kitchen. Dozens of servants were still cleaning.
    When she reached the Royal Chambers, her parents had already turned in for the night. As Allyssa went to her bedchamber, she was filled with a sense of dread. Things were about to change. She just knew it. Thankfully, she was about to leave the castle and spend some time with Grevik. Chasing thieves through the city would help ease her nerves. At least, that was what she hoped. 

 

    Allyssa wished they were roaming the streets. She hadn’t snuck out of the castle to just sit in a tavern for hours and not do anything even remotely productive. They only had a couple of weeks until Grevik became an official City Guard, and they couldn’t track down criminals together anymore.
    “You look more agitated than normal,” Grevik teased, poking her in the ribs.
    She shot him a look of annoyance. “Why are we sitting here?” she asked.
    He leaned back on his chair, observing the patrons eating and drinking. Now that she was paying attention, she saw several groups of people huddled close together talking. No one was playing cards. What is going on?
    “Did you hear the news?” he asked, leaning forward on the table and lowering his voice. She shook her head. “My friend Vardin’s sister works at the castle. She told him another prince is on his way to ask for Princess Allyssa’s hand in marriage.”
    Based upon the way