Chapter 235

“Fourth?” Honor asked, rearing back in surprise. “Fourth? How? It hasn’t been a month!”

There didn’t seem to be any doubt in her exclamation; Rosalie wouldn’t lie about her advancement. She was too important to be spouting frivolous untruths like that. Instead, Honor’s face showed pure disbelief. A lack of understanding of how Rosalie’s claim was even possible.

“There are ... extenuating circumstances surrounding the how,” Rosalie said. “I was fortunate in several regards. In ways others couldn’t hope to be.” She glanced at Zoey as she said that.

“Well—” Honor said, trying to maintain the heat in her voice, but she’d been caught off guard. “Regardless. I’m third. That’s respectable.” She narrowed her eyes at Rosalie. “And I could still take you. Advancement isn’t everything.”

“I doubt you could, lady,” Delta said.

Orange eyes pivoted to her. “Did I ask your opinion?”

Purple eyes narrowed in turn. “You think I give a shit what you—?”

A hand on Delta’s shoulder stopped the retort. Delta blinked at Rosalie, who also seemed surprised that she’d reached out to calm her; that wasn’t a typical Rosalie reaction. Rosalie cleared her throat and retracted the hand. It had at least worked to cut Delta off.

“Would you like to have a round?” Rosalie asked Honor. “I would appreciate it, actually. It’ll stop the vultures from swarming while we catch up. Give us some privacy.”

Zoey suspected the second part was Rosalie’s real goal. But by the way Honor crossed her arms and immediately answered, “Sure. Let’s,” Zoey thought the red-haired girl had different aims. She didn’t want to enter the arena to catch up with Rosalie. She had something to prove.

Zoey doubted she’d find much success there. Rosalie had an advancement on Honor, and Rosalie was ... well, Rosalie. She didn’t think there was anyone of a similar advancement, much less lower, who could beat her in a one-on-one. And that wasn’t mentioning the passive, permanent buffs she received through Zoey’s skills.

She wondered what the story was behind these two.

“Of course you’re already dragging her away,” Cordelia said in exasperation. “We didn’t even finish introductions, Honor.”

Honor didn’t seem remotely abashed by the chiding tone. She spun on a heel and stalked toward the nearest empty arena.

“I apologize,” Rosalie offered Cordelia. “But it’s ... Honor. This has to be dealt with. We can speak after?”

“Yes, yes,” Cordelia said, seeming amused. “I would love to catch up, but I’ll say my hellos to your teammates in the meantime.”

Rosalie’s face was impassive as her attention flicked between Cordelia and them. Zoey couldn’t guess what she was thinking. She wouldn’t say a mask had slid over Rosalie’s face, but she was more reserved than Zoey had seen her in a long time.

Eventually, Rosalie nodded, then turned and pursued Honor.

“What was that about?” Zoey asked. “And, hi, it’s nice to meet you. Sorry, I guess?”

“Oh, no problem, dear. Hardly your fault. Zoey, right?”

“And Delta, Maddy,” Zoey said, gesturing at each of them. Delta inclined her head, still annoyed by Honor’s attitude, and Maddy waved brightly.

“What’s got a stick up redhead’s ass?” Delta asked.

Cordelia quirked an eyebrow—such crude and direct phrasing probably wasn’t seen often in high society circles—but she didn’t comment.

“You,” Cordelia said plainly.

“Me? I didn’t say shit. She started it.”

“Or all of you, rather. You took her spot on Rosalie’s team,” Cordelia said, confirming Zoey’s suspicions. “That ‘started it’. It’s reasonable she’s upset—though her behavior isn’t. She, like half the guild her age, has been aspiring for that position since she was a child. And was a forerunner for attaining it. Honor is very good at what she does. She was all but guaranteed a spot until you three came along.”

Delta blinked. She gave a begrudging look toward the arena; for Honor to have been ‘guaranteed a spot,’ she must be an incredible fighter, which Zoey knew Delta respected.

By now, Rosalie and Honor had climbed onto the arena platform and stood at opposite sides. They were speaking, but the words were swallowed by whatever magic shielded the platform’s invisible borders.

“It’s safe to say anyone Rosalie regularly sparred with was a prodigy of their generation,” Cordelia said. “But yes, Honor at the forefront among them.”

“You too, then?” Delta asked. “You’re also hot shit?”

Again, she raised an eyebrow, but didn’t comment on Delta’s word choice. “I’m a year older,” she said with a wave. “I entered the Fractures too early to be considered part of her vanguard crew.” She shrugged. “Though future opportunities were more than possible. Nothing says her initial team would be her forever team.” She gave the three of them a curious look. “Though, it seems all our assumptions have been turned on their heads. I’ve heard some interesting rumors about you three.”

“We got here yesterday,” Delta said. “How are there already rumors? You people stand in circles talking all day?”

Cordelia laughed. “Frankly, on occasion, yes,” she said. “But the return of the heiress is a little more important of an event than usual. Of course news spread fast. Not to mention the Guildmaster’s official announcements.”

Delta grunted. She faced Quinn. “And you? What’s your deal?”

“I’m uninvolved.” He shrugged. “I’m here with my fiancé.” He nodded at Cordelia. “And to say my hellos to the returning d’Celestin heir, of course.”

“Oh. You two are a thing?” Delta asked. Zoey hadn’t made that guess either, not that she was surprised, necessarily.

“Quite happily,” Cordelia said, smiling at Quinn.

Their conversation was temporarily forgotten as the fight began. The five of them had walked to stand out of the way while they watched Rosalie and Honor’s fight. While Zoey was aware of a prickling on the back of her neck that told her they were being watched from several angles, no one else had approached. That was likely why Rosalie had been relieved Cordelia had bee-lined for her: their presence was fending away, however briefly, other interlopers. She wondered how long that would last.