(Please keep in mind that Prince Vincent is known outside the court as "Kather"––it's his code name to avoid unnecessary attention.)
Rory gently passed Burnt Dumpling into Nix's hands, then turned to Jasper with a small, anticipatory smile.
"Could you walk me over to the lounge?" she asked softly. "I need to change."
Jasper nodded at once. "I'll change as well."
Across the room, Lola Brandon glanced at the little bird—now casually tucked into Nix's pocket—then rose gracefully to her feet with her two companions close behind her.
"We'll go prepare too," she said lightly.
Nix's attention, however, never left Rory. His gaze followed her until she disappeared toward the inner lounge, so focused that he didn't notice Burnt Dumpling quietly wriggle free from his pocket and slip after Lola with quick, silent hops.
Barely three minutes later, the moment Lola stepped into the private lounge, she spun around and shoved her two mates straight back out the door.
