Aire's reaction was immediate and sharp. However, her confusion vanished, and got replaced by recognition.
Her breath caught, and slowly, very slowly, her eyes lifted to Nate's face. She turned away from him, and scanned the hall as though seeing it anew.
She stared at the long table, each watching royals, the daughters draped in silk, and the wives seated beside their husbands, observant and quiet.
Then her gaze landed on Madam and the women standing with her.
Aire's fingers immediately curled into the fabric of her dress.
Xanden noticed instantly.
"She wiped you?" he asked, voice low and lethal, following the line of Aire's sight.
Aire swallowed.
She felt the weight of the room pressing in with dozens of eyes, waiting. She hesitated just long enough to seem uncertain.
Then she nodded.
"She did," Aire said softly.
