That was when Bill floated slowly up out of the bathwater…

““That was when Bill floated slowly up out of the bathwater to hover a foot above the surface.The portion of the tub from which he'd risen was dark and cloudy with gargoyle grit. "Bill!" she cried. "Can't you tell I need a few minutes of privacy?" He held a hand up to shield his eyes. "You done thrashing around in here yet,Jaws?" With his other hand, he wiped some bubbles from his bald head. "You could have warned me that I was about to take a plunge underwater!" Luce said. "I did warn you!" He hopped up to the rim of the tub and tottered across it until he was in Luce's face. "Right as we were coming out of the Announcer. You just didn't hear me because you were underwater!" "Very helpful,thank you." "You needed a bath,anyway," he said. "This is a big night for you, toots." "Why? What's happening?" "What's happening,she asks!" Bill grabbed her shoulder. "Only the grandest ball since the Sun King popped off! And I say,so what if this boum is hosted by his greasy pubescent son? It's still going to be right downstairs in the largest, most spectacular ballroom in Versailles-and everybody's going to be there!" Luce shrugged. A ball sounded fine, but it had nothing to do with her. "I'll clarify," Bill said. "Everyone will be there including Lys Virgily. The Princess of Savoy? Ring a bell?" He bopped Luce on the nose. "That's you.””

— Lauren Kate