Ste looked at him in surprise. "Why are you asking me this all of a sudden?"


    Joshua replied, "Candida mentioned that Solmaris is a paradise for musicians-a ce where some of the world''s best go to study and exchange ideas. With your skill on the violin, I wondered if you''d ever spent time there, perhaps to further your training."


    Ste didn''t hide anything. "I actually lived in Solmaris for a while.”


    A curious flicker passed through Joshua''s eyes. "How long were you there?"


    She considered for a moment. "Counting college, I''d say about six years."


    "When did you go?"


    Ste turned to look at him, sensing something behind his questions. "You seem very interested in my time in Solmaris."


    Joshua hesitated for a moment before answering. "I have this strange sense of familiarity with Solmaris, like it''s somewhere I might have grown up. I just wanted to know more about it, that''s all."


    Though he offered an exnation, Ste still found his questions odd. Besides her closest confidants, only Neville knew the truth about her background. Even Haynes was in the dark-there was no way she''d tell Joshua.


    "It was just during college. I mostly stayed on campus, except for the asional


    performance orpetition. Honestly, I don''t know much about the city itself. But


    if


    f you find it familiar, I could always arrange for someone to show you around Solmaris sometime."


    Joshua shook his head. "No need. You have your concerting up soon. You should focus on that."


    He seemed to sense her reluctance and rose from his seat. "I''ll go check if Ms. Murphy needs anything."


    Ste nodded, and after Joshua left, she picked up her violin and began to practice again.


    ***


    In a stylish, softly lit restaurant, a young man and woman sat across from each other.


    After cing her order, Lauretta Chapman handed the menu back to the waiter. "That''ll be all, thank you."


    As the server left, Lauretta nced at herpanion. "Mr. Williams, is there a particr reason you wanted to meet today?"


    Jonathan calm


    met her gaze, his voice even. "We''re about to be


    engaged. Isn''t it normal to have get


    r together once in a while?"


    Lauretta took a sip of water. "So you invited me here just for dinner?"


    Jonathan was silent for a few seconds. "Actually, there''s something I wanted to ask you."


    She wasn''t surprised. The Chapman


    and Williams families had been


    close for generations. She and Jonathan hadn''t grown up together, but they''d crossed paths a few times. He was a workaholic, not the type to seek her out unless he had a reason.


    "What is it? Go ahead."


    Jonathan said, “Aurora has a friend who''s giving a concert soon. She hoped you


    might agree to be a special guest performer."


    Lauretta''s eyes flickered with interest. "When is it?"


    "In three months."


    "And where?"


    "In Neo-Vespera."


    Lauretta studied him. "Your sister''s friend-would her name happen to be Rachel?"


    Jonathan frowned slightly. "I''m not sure. Aurora didn''t say."


    Lauretta''s expression grew distant "I''m sorry. Three months from now, I''m


    Pors Committed as a guest


    rat Ste''s Cor one."


    have the time for another.


    won''t


    "Ste?" Jonathan echoed, surprised. "Ste''s holding a concert?"


    Lauretta gave him a strange look. "Didn''t youe to Neo-Vespera to bring Star home? You didn''t know about the concert?"


    Jonathan''s voice was low. "My father and I haven''t had a chance to see Ste yet."