All the women groaned internally. The queen leaned her head against Sienna's shoulder. She truly didn't like spending time with this sister-in-law of hers. The dignity of the royal family always took a hit when she was around.
The crowd applauded and all of them looked at the front. Gael was sliding a ring on Vera's finger. In return, Vera offered him a carved jade pendant, a traditional token of her clan, etched with the image of a prowling tiger. The crowd murmured approval, the air thick with incense and the faint sweetness of fox fruit wine.
"What is going on with your mother?" Lina asked Cyra. "Why is she guarding your father as if she was hired to be his personal bodyguard for the night?"
Sienna sniggered, turning her head to look at the flowers. They were clusters of yellow beeswax blossoms arranged in tall crystal vases, their petals trembling as if alive. The scent was heady, almost intoxicating.
