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quite raucously. When Thrix had shown her a picture of Mr. Felicori, the queen had marveled at his girth and wondered how it was possible that such a large man could be an object of adoration. Malveria had very strict views on all matters pertaining to weight, views that were completely unmitigated by human standards of charity or tact. She was apt to shudder and shift uncomfortably in the presence of overly large people. Thrix had not yet informed her that some of the women on view at the opera might not be quite sylph-like either, and was quite looking forward to Malveria’s reaction when she first set eyes on them.
    Malveria checked her lipstick. “So, we attend the opera, we dazzle the crowd with our fabulous dresses, and afterwards, you enthrall this Mr. Felicori so that he follows you to Scotland and sings at your mother’s important event. I have the whole program memorised and will do my utmost to help.” Malveria paused and looked troubled. “This lipstick. Now it is perfect, but in a few hours, I know it will have faded. Why cannot a lipstick be manufactured that does not rub off? Sometimes my evenings have been quite ruined by this dreadful phenomenon.”
    “It’s a trial,” agreed Thrix, “but we just have to carry on the best we can.”
    Malveria adorned herself in her wrap and accompanied Thrix downstairs to the waiting taxi. Though it was a short journey to the opera house, the evening traffic was heavy and progress was slow.
    “Though I remain dubious about this large man telling us his problems through song, I welcome the diversion,” Malveria said. “Life at court has been stressful of late. First Minister Xakthan has once more been dropping hints about the succession. Much as I don’t wish to discuss this, it is a problem. Were I to die with no one in line to succeed me, the nation would descend into chaos. It is a poor prospect for everyone. So poor that there have even been hints that it may be time for me to formally adopt Agrivex.”
    The enchantress raised her eyebrows. “Surely you can’t really be considering Vex as the next queen?”
    Malveria shuddered. “Indeed not. Having built up my realm, one would not like to see it destroyed by the foolishness of my almost-adopted niece. But if I were to adopt Agrivex, she would at least be a figurehead behind whom my First Minister Xakthan could rally support. With Agrivex as figurehead and Xakthan in control, the nation might be spared a great deal of strife. It would placate those ministers who are becoming anxious until I think of some better plan.”
    “Have you thought of actually producing a successor?” asked Thrix.
    Malveria sighed. “Again, very difficult. I really don’t know of any suitable Fire Elemental with whom I would wish to raise children.”
    The queen fretted at the memory of the last meeting of her advisory council. “My councilors are intensely annoying. Really, Distikka is the only one I trust.”
    “Distikka?” Though the enchantress was familiar with the queen’s court, she hadn’t heard the name before.
    “A new member of my council, and our only female. Though the history of the Hiyasta is littered with queens and princesses, our females do not make politicians, as a rule. Distikka, however, has recently come to prominence. She talks good sense, even if she does have an unfortunate habit of being badly dressed.”
    The taxi slowed to a crawl as the narrow streets around the opera house became crowded with pedestrians, pushing their way between the traffic. Many of them were formally dressed, having parked nearby to walk the last few yards to the opera.
    “And yourself, Thrix? Do you have any romantic dalliances in prospect?”
    “Definitely not,” Thrix answered, firmly.
    “You cannot give up. Though your recent affairs all ended in disaster, your next may not necessarily do so.”
    Thrix wasn’t flattered to hear her affairs described as disasters, but she didn’t protest. It was true. “I think