“Thank you,” Morgana smiled, accepting a silver goblet from Mace. She took a sip as he moved to stand beside her, their elbows touching.

“Oh!” she said brightly, taking another sip. “Lemon and ginger. My hero.”

Her hand drifted briefly to her stomach. Everything had been behaving itself today, but it was better to be safe than sorry. She had no desire to be discovered throwing up in a rose bush. It wasn’t very regal.

She slipped her free hand into Mace’s and gave his fingers a squeeze, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.

“I hope this isn’t too awful,” she teased with the smallest of smiles. “But you knew what you were getting into when you married me.”

Taking another drink, she scanned the crowd. Men and women, dressed to the nines, floated past them, offering them both smiles and respectful nods.

“It’s nice to be able to show you off at last,” Morgana continued.

She was prevented from saying anything further when Tristan appeared suddenly behind them.

“There you both are,” he beamed, alcohol warm on his breath. “Don’t wander off Mace, I’m going to need you later. I have a plan.”

“Don’t tease him,” Morgana laughed, grabbing his arm and pulling him round to stand in front of them. “You’ll make him nervous.”

“Wouldn’t be any fun if it didn’t,” Tristan replied. He went to continued, but faltered. His grin dropped as his eyes fixed on something in the distance.

“What the hell is she doing here?” he demanded in a hiss.

Frowning, Morgana turned, following his gaze straight to where Gaiane stood looking lost in the middle of a crowd nearby. She was attracting no small amount of attention, and was being given a wider birth by every passerby. Sighing, Morgana reached for Tristan’s shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“Don’t worry about it,” she told him, sharing a look with Mace. “I’ll handle it.”

“Just...” Tristan took a long drink of wine, “just get her out of here.”

He didn’t linger. Putting down his empty glass on the nearest table, he turned sharply to lose himself amongst the crowd of bodies milling around the lawns.

“I’ll get back to you,” Morgana promised Mace, handing him her drink with a sheepish smile. “I’ll try not to be long.”

Leaving him behind her, Morgana made a beeline for her sister-in-law, hitching a friendly smile into place when she got close enough.

“Gaiane,” she said quietly, locking arms with her and guiding her gently back towards the castle, ignoring the side-eyed glances of those they passed. “You shouldn’t be here,” she continued, keeping her tone gentle, “there was no need for you to come.”