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enthusiasm for attending the official reception for the Great Keeper of the Minor Volcano.

      “You wish to attend? Why?”

      “I’m officially your niece now,” said Vex brightly. “I should go to these things. Like a member of the royal family.”

      Malveria studied her niece, attempting to interpret her aura. “You are quite clearly lying, dismal niece, and had you not recently learned how to partially conceal your aura from me, I would know why. Tell me your motivations for this upcoming outrage.”

      “What outrage? You’d make me attend anyway.”

      “True. But normally you would protest.”

      Agrivex had arrived for her weekly visit to the Fire Queen’s palace at the foot of the Great Volcano. Though she could now spend four or five days a week in London, she still had to return regularly to her own realm to replenish her fire.

      “I enjoy an official reception every now and then,” she said.

      The Fire Queen shook her head. Her niece’s willingness to become involved in official life at court should have been a welcome development, but Malveria had her reservations. Things tended to go wrong when the young Hiyasta was around.

      “Well, Agrivex, I will welcome you at the event. Be aware that even by the standards of the court, this will be a rather tedious affair. The Great Keeper of the Minor Volcano is not one of our most interesting dignitaries, though I admit he does do a splendid job.”

      “Why does he need a reception?” asked Agrivex.

      “It is wise to keep these officials happy. The Minor Volcano does provide power for part of the nation. And the Keeper comes from a very ancient family.”

      “Will there be dukes and earls there?” asked Vex.

      “The full array of our aristocracy will be in attendance. Why do you ask?”

      “No reason. Just wondering.”

      The Fire Queen again glared at her niece suspiciously, certain that she was up to something.

      “Is there something different about your lips?” asked Agrivex, cunningly diverting her aunt’s attention.

      “There is! I have a new lip program entitled ‘Six Steps to Perfect Lips.’ Yesterday I went through it with Moonglow. Unfortunately, we could not complete the process as we were lacking ingredients, but we will carry on next week.”

      “They’re looking good,” said Agrivex.

      “Thank you.” Malveria frowned. “I do not recall you ever complimenting my makeup before. Are you trying to get me to buy you something?”

      Agrivex looked extremely pained. “Can’t I do anything? I volunteer to come to this dull reception, and I tell you your lips are on the right track, and all you do is look suspicious.”

      The Fire Queen’s features softened. “I apologize, Agrivex. You are right. I appreciate your efforts. Do you have a suitable dress?”

      “Absolutely.”

      Vex picked a dress up and held it to her frame. To the Fire Queen’s surprise, it was almost suitable for the occasion. Agrivex had actually found something respectable. As her niece departed to make herself ready, Malveria was left wondering if she might have turned a corner.

      “Perhaps the appalling girl is finally learning some sense. She might even become an asset to the royal household. That would be a great surprise, but one supposes stranger things have occurred.”

      Vex hurried off to meet her new friend the Honorable Gloria in the Garden of Small Blue Flames. Gloria was some years older than Vex, though still very young by the standards of the Hiyasta. As the daughter of Lord Stratov, she was a well-known figure. She was not especially popular, but was very eligible. Vex didn’t really like her, but had purposely made her acquaintance after introducing herself politely.

      “It must get lonely in that castle,” said Vex. “With your father being a duke and not having a wife any more.”

      “The castle is always busy,” Gloria told her. “We have a lot of functions.”

      “Of course. But still, not having a wife must get him down a bit?”

      “I suppose so,” said Gloria dubiously. She couldn’t ever remember her father saying he was lonely.

      “What he needs to do is marry again.”

      The Honorable Gloria frowned genteelly. She didn’t much care for Agrivex, with her odd clothes and bleached, spiky hair. Had Agrivex remained in her proper station, the Honorable Gloria would have been content never to exchange a word with her. But the Fire Queen, for whatever reason, had adopted her as her niece, and that made Vex an important figure. Gloria was not the only young aristocrat who now found herself obliged to be polite to her.

      “I’m sure my father has never expressed any desire to marry again.”

      “Probably just keeps it to himself,” said Vex. “You can see it would be difficult. There aren’t that many high-class women available. Although they do say the Queen is on the lookout for a husband.”

      The Honorable Gloria came to an abrupt halt, crushing a small blue flame flower in the process. She was quite a large young woman, and the flame shriveled beneath her feet.

      “The Fire Queen? Are you suggesting my father . . .”

      Vex feigned surprise. “I never thought of that. But now you mention it, why not? Didn’t they used to uh . . . know each other quite closely?”

      “I’d no idea,” said Gloria.

      “Well, that’s what’s rumored in court,” said Agrivex. “Probably wouldn’t take much to stir up the old fires again.”

      The Honorable Gloria’s eyes shone. She liked the idea of her father marrying the Fire Queen. She would be a princess.

      “I take it you’re both coming to the reception tonight?” asked Agrivex.

      “We’ll be there,” said Gloria emphatically. “Excuse me, I must go and talk to my father.”

      The Honorable Gloria hurried off, leaving Vex looking pleased with herself.

      Easy, she thought. Now if Lord Stratov can just get together with Aunt Malvie, there’d be no more talk about me being Queen.

      She looked down at the flower that Gloria had crushed. “Sorry about that,” said Vex, who liked the small blue flaming plants. She wished it wasn’t damaged, and leaned over it, wishing she could do something to help. To her surprise, a flickering yellow flame flowed from the tip of her finger into the flower. The flower immediately revived, reigniting as it came back to life.

      “Hey!” said Vex. “I never knew I could do that.” She grinned at the small flower, now engulfed in a healthy blue flame.

      “I wonder if I could be a singer in a band like Yum Yum Sugary Snacks?” she said, speaking to the flower. “That would be good. And Nagasaki Night Fight Boom Boom Girl starts next week! I can hardly wait!”

      Vex wandered back toward her chambers, still carrying her dress. She loathed the garment and could hardly believe she was about to wear it. As she entered the Imperial Palace through the Discretely Flaming Portico, she was surprised to run into the Duchess Gargamond. The Duchess had once been a familiar figure at court but had been absent for several months.

      “Duchess Gargamond!” cried Vex. “You’re back.”

      The Duchess greeted her politely, doing her utmost not to react to Vex’s shock of bleached hair. She’d forgotten just how bright it was.

      “So you’ve made up your argument with Aunt Malvie?”

      “Yes indeed, Agrivex. It was but a trifling disagreement.”

      “I heard

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