Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (z-lib.org).mobi

She examined the toes of her satin slippers. “The King has his way with lots
of servants,” she said. Then she shrugged. “At least I got a few jewels out if it.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“No. I don’t.” She fiddled with one of her earrings. “The worst part is that
everyone knows.”
I put my arm around her. “They don’t matter. You’re worth all of them put
together.”
She gave a weak imitation of her confident smile. “Oh, I know that.”
“The Darkling should have done something,” I said. “He should have
protected you.”
“He has, Alina. More than you know. Besides, he’s as much a slave to the
whims of the King as the rest of us. At least for now.”
“For now?”
She gave me a quick squeeze. “Let’s not dwell on depressing things tonight.
Come on,” she said, her gorgeous face breaking into a dazzling grin. “I’m in
desperate need of champagne!”
And with that, she glided serenely from the room. I wanted to say more to her.
I wanted to ask her what she meant about the Darkling. I wanted to take a
hammer to the King’s head. But she was right. There would be plenty of time for
trouble tomorrow. I took a last peek in the little mirror and hurried out into the
hall, leaving my worries and Genya’s warnings behind me.
My black kefta caused quite a stir in the domed hall as Marie and Nadia and a
group of other Etherealki dressed in blue velvets and silks swarmed around me
and Genya. Genya made to slip away as she usually did, but I held fast to her
arm. If I was wearing the Darkling’s colour, then I intended to take full
advantage of it and have my friend by my side.
“You know I can’t go into the ballroom with you. The Queen would have a
fit,” she whispered in my ear.
“Okay, but you can still walk over with me.”
Genya beamed.
As we walked down the gravel path and into the wooded tunnel, I noticed that
Sergei and several other Heartrenders were keeping pace with us, and I realised
with a start that they were guarding us – or probably me. I supposed it made
sense with all of the strangers on the palace grounds for the fete, but it was still
disconcerting, a reminder that there were a lot of people in the world who
wanted me dead.
The grounds surrounding the Grand Palace had been lit up to showcase
tableaus of actors and troupes of acrobats performing for wandering guests.