Master Lucian led Valentina to a secluded alcove in the garden, half hidden behind a lushly flowering wisteria. The sweet scent of the purple flowers mingled with the spicy aroma of wild thyme growing between the paving stones.

"I've received disturbing news from Bridgewater," he said quietly, after making sure that no one was within earshot. His usually relaxed posture was noticeably tense.

"What news?" Valentina felt her stomach tighten.

"The Illumination seems to take a special interest in the university as of recently." Master Lucian lowered his voice even further. "There are rumors that they will be sending one of their highest ranking Illuminators – a guy named Eastwald."

"What aroused their interest?" Valentina managed to keep her voice calm, even though her heart was racing.

"Nobody knows for sure." Master Lucian tugged thoughtfully at the tip of his sleeve. "But when the Illumination starts to take an interest in something, it never means anything good. They're like bloodhounds – if they catch a whiff of something they think is corruption or forbidden knowledge, they won't let go. And they have the power to search every room in Bridgewater, to interrogate every student. Where the Illumination appears, often enough only ashes and tears remain."

Valentina thought of her forbidden books, of the dark secrets she carried with her. And the corrupt Essence that was probably still spreading imperceptibly in Faustus' rooms. Of the illusions she had left behind in place of the Distilled Essence vials she had stolen from the university's well-guarded storage facility. Of Vyxara.

"Don't get me wrong," Master Lucian continued. "I don't suspect you're involved in anything really dangerous. But..." He smiled thinly. "Let's just say I imagine you might have a book or two that you'd rather the Illumination didn't find. Books on advanced Essence theories that some might consider... heretical."

"I don't quite understand what you're getting at," Valentina replied cautiously.

"Of course not." Master Lucian's smile widened a touch. "I just want to give you some friendly advice: as long as you are here in Dusktown, under the duke's protection, you are safe. The Illumination would have trouble investigating here without his express permission. But in Bridgewater..." He let the sentence hang meaningfully in the air.

"So you're advising me...?"

"I advise you to think very carefully about what you take with you when you return to Bridgewater. And what you might better keep safe here in Dusktown. The Duke has an excellent library, which also contains some... shall we say, special works. Books that would be much safer there than in a dormitory."

"He's good," Vyxara purred appreciatively. "He tells you exactly what you need to hear without ever being direct. No wonder the duke appreciates him so much. Of course, we absolutely won't give him our books. We will find another solution."

"That's very generous of you," Valentina said slowly. "This... hypothetical advice."

"I'm just trying to support a promising young Essence Weaver." Master Lucian plucked a wisteria flower from his sleeve. "It would be a shame if your career were jeopardized by a careless book selection."

"Do you have any more... advice for me?"

"When the Illumination arrives – be careful, but not too careful. Too defensive behavior makes you suspicious. Be respectful, but not submissive. And above all..." He looked her straight in the eye. "Don't rely too much on the duke's protection. His influence reaches far, but the Illumination is a force unto itself. They could remove you from Bridgewater before he can intervene."

Valentina nodded slowly. "Again, I thank you for your... hypothetical care."

"Not worth mentioning." Master Lucian straightened up. "Now we should get back to the party. People are certainly beginning to wonder where you've got to."

As they walked back to the feast, Valentina's mind was already working at full speed. She would have to find a way to hide her more dangerous books safely. And she had to think about how she could keep the Illumination's attention away from her.

"We'll work out a plan," Vyxara assured him. "But Master Lucian is right – be careful. The Illumination is dangerous. Even for us. Especially for us."

The rest of the party suddenly appeared to Valentina as if through a veil. She smiled, chatted and danced, but her thoughts revolved around the impending danger in Bridgewater.

She still hadn't fully organized her thoughts when Kindle Superior Beatrice came walking towards her, her burnt orange robes rustling, her wrinkled face contorted into an expression of virtuous concern.

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"My child," she began in a voice that sounded like dripping honey. "I am so worried about your salvation."

"Oh no," moaned Vyxara. "The pious bore was just what we needed."

"You are so young, so..." The Kindle Superior made a vague gesture. "...impressionable. The temptations of the court are many, and the path of virtue is narrow."

"You are very kind to be so worried," Valentina replied politely as she frantically searched for an escape route.

"The sin of adultery is a serious one," the old woman continued unperturbed, her voice now sharper. "Even if some at court may see it differently. The Martyr has taught us-"

"Ah, Valentina, there you are!" The duchess suddenly glided to her side, elegant as a dancer. Her slender fingers closed around Valentina's hand. "Forgive me, Kindle Superior, but I must borrow Valentina for a moment. An urgent matter."

Without giving the Kindle the chance to answer, the duchess gently but firmly pulled Valentina along with her. Only when they were out of earshot did she lean slightly towards her.

"I didn't really have anything urgent to talk about," she said with a barely perceptible smile. "But nobody deserves to listen to these dreadfully boring sermons."

Valentina stared at her in surprise. The duchess, who was usually so cool and distant, still held her hand as they strolled through the garden together. The puzzled and curious looks of the other guests followed them wherever they went.

"It seems," the duchess continued in a tone that sounded almost – but only almost – amused, "that you have managed to make the two most important men in my life fall head over heels with you at the same time."

Valentina almost tripped over her own feet. "Your Grace, I-"

"Don't worry." The duchess waved her hand. "You haven't done anything wrong. On the contrary – you handled the situation with remarkable grace so far. I just wanted you to know that you need not fear my wrath."

They made an elegant circuit of the garden, the duchess nodding graciously to various guests as she continued to hold Valentina by her side.

"My son," she said quietly, "has always been prone to great feelings, he's a romantic. And my husband..." A subtle smile played around her lips. "Well, I've known him for over thirty years. You are not his first mistress, and very likely not his last. But you are smarter than most. More discreet. More respectful. And he takes great pleasure in you, that much is certain."

They reached the pavilion, where the duke was already standing up, apparently about to make an announcement. The duchess led Valentina to his side, finally letting go of her hand.

"And now," she whispered to Valentina, "my husband will make your position at court official. In his own way."

The duke raised his glass and the conversations fell silent. He radiated the natural authority that made him so successful and, in Valentina's eyes, so attractive.

Dusk had settled over the palace garden, and the Essence Weavers began to light the lanterns. Master Lucian directed their work with small gestures as the elaborate patterns made the lights dance. Golden sparks floated through the air like tiny fireflies, and the music of the minstrels merged with the gentle splashing of the fountains.

"My friends," the duke began in his warm, carrying voice. "The height of summer is approaching, and with it the season of great celebrations. I think we should plan something special this year."

The duchess stepped to his side, elegant as ever. "A celebration would be wonderful, my husband."

"Indeed." The duke smiled. "I was thinking of a celebration in honor of a promising young Essence Weaver who will soon be celebrating her twentieth birthday."

His gaze swept over Valentina, who felt the blood rush to her cheeks. The duchess placed her slender hand on his arm.

"An excellent idea," she said in her cool, melodic voice. "Valentina has proven to be a great asset to our hospital and our court with her diligence, skill and charming nature. A celebration in her honor would be more than appropriate."

A murmur went through the crowd. The duke had just made Valentina's position official, cleverly disguised as recognition of her achievements and her upcoming birthday. The duchess had sealed it with her approval.

Lady Celestine smiled knowingly. "So now it's official," she whispered to Valentina. "From now on, everyone at court will try even harder to win your favor."

Master Bloomfield raised his glass in her direction, a subtle gesture of acknowledgment. Other nobles were already beginning to subtly position themselves differently – closer to Valentina, ready to seek her favor.

Out of the corner of her eye, Valentina saw Hazel standing at the edge of the crowd. Her face was a study in contradictions – anger at the public elevation of Valentina's status battled with the grudging respect she had developed for Valentina's work at the hospital.

Lorenzo had withdrawn, his face a mask of polite neutrality. Only his eyes betrayed the storm of emotions behind them.

"A wonderful idea," exclaimed Lady Rosemary Wicklethorne with affected enthusiasm.

"And a ball," added her eldest daughter eagerly. "With a masquerade!"

The duchess raised her hand slightly and the excited voices fell silent. "I think we should discuss the details in peace. The duke and I will take care of the planning."

Another skillful demonstration of her control over the situation. The Duchess showed everyone that she had a firm grip on the reins.

The duke approached Valentina as the party went on. "I hope you agree with our plans, my beauty?"

"You are too generous, Your Grace," she replied with a graceful bow.

The music grew louder again, couples began to dance. The lanterns shimmered like trapped stars, and the Essence-enhanced scent of roses lingered even more intensely in the evening air.

"Enjoy the moment," Vyxara advised. "But never lose sight of the big picture. You're playing in the top league now – there's no room for mistakes."

The evening was slowly but surely drawing to a close. Valentina had danced more than ever before in her life, had more trivial conversations than she could count and some quite important and stirring ones. She felt exhausted and at the same time more awake and alert than ever before.

The duke led her in a final dance, his hand warm on her waist. "You did remarkably well today, my clever one," he murmured appreciatively. "I'm already looking forward to your birthday party."

The last dance faded away and the duke led Valentina to one of the artfully arranged seats. Most of the guests began to take their leave as night fell and the Essence-enhanced lanterns bathed the garden in a dreamy light.

"Stay a little longer," the duke murmured to his inner circle. "I have arranged another special entertainment, just for us."

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