The actors exchanged glances, then shrugged and resumed. Though their performances were noticeably more nervous now.
Damien dropped his own disguise. No point in him hiding if she was exposed.
"That's Lord Valcrest!" someone hissed. "The shadow wielder!"
"And he's here with the queen!"
"Are they... together?"
Oh good. The gossip was starting fresh.
"We should probably leave," Damien suggested quietly.
"No." Lyristae's voice had that stubborn edge he was learning to recognize. "I'm watching the play. They can stare all they want."
So they stayed, watching the increasingly nervous actors stumble through their comedy while the crowd watched them more than the performance. When it ended, Lyristae applauded enthusiastically and tossed the actors a gold coin that was probably more than they made in a month.
"That was wonderful!" she called. "Truly entertaining!"
The actors looked like they might cry with relief.
