“I’m right here, you can ask me yourself,” I said tartly.
Skye laughed. “Give her a few days, Tristan, it’s all too new for her. See you later at the feast, Aurora. Come on, Brianna.” She ran off with her friend toward the palace.
Tristan glared at me, and Cade grinned.
“Skye’s sweet,” I said as they walked me back to the palace.
Cade nodded. “She’s the only one in the family who is.”
“Who is her family? She said something about her mother arriving and going on a rampage.”
Cade chuckled. “So, Andromeda’s back, is she?”
Tristan nodded. “She came in today for the feast.”
“I was wondering why Aiden decided to go on patrol today.”
Tristan shrugged. “I guess it was the lesser of two evils.”
“Skye is Aiden’s younger sister,” Cade explained. “And their mother is the Grand Duchess of the Day Court. She has a terrible temper, and when she comes to town even Aiden runs for the hills. Skye is the only one she listens to.”
“Where is Skye’s father?”
“The Grand Duke of the Day Court has been ailing for some time,” Tristan answered. “Andromeda rules the Day Court in his name.”
The Grand Duchess of the Day Court didn’t sound like someone I wanted to meet.
“I will meet you at the bottom of the steps in an hour,” Tristan snapped when we reached the stairs to my room. “Don’t be late.”
I was too tired to argue, and although I had healed myself, my body still ached and my limbs were sore. I could barely make it up the stairs, and my legs were like jelly when I finally reached the top. Surely this couldn’t be the only empty guest room in the castle. I wondered why my grandmother had put me up here.
Someone had laid out a plain green cotton dress on the bed. It was virtually unadorned and edges were fraying, but it had little flowers stitched on the neckline and cuffs. Brianna must have sent it. I couldn’t be bothered to be fussy, so I put it on. It looked like a sack, but at least it was loose and comfortable. I brushed my hair and tied it in a ponytail. I didn’t have a flock of maids here to help me get dressed, so it was the best I could manage.
Tristan was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, arms crossed and legs apart. I could feel his powerful magical presence before I reached the landing. He looked dazzling in his midnight-colored doublet lined with silver thread, his high shining black boots darkened by the shadows of the night. His long black hair was tied back in a ponytail, enhancing his fae ears, and a thin silver circlet rested upon his head. The dark prince, devastatingly handsome in all his glory, stood before me, but he did not look pleased.
He glowered at me. “Are you going to the feast wearing that?”
“It’s what Brianna sent me,” I answered, holding my head high. “I don’t have anything else to wear.” I softened my tone, biting my lip.
Tristan cursed under his breath. “Come with me.” He turned abruptly and stalked off in the other direction.
“Do you always have to walk so fast?” I ran after him. “Where are we going? I thought the Grand Hall was the other way.”
He kept walking. “It is.”
We stopped in front of a huge wooden door at the very end of the corridor. It was intricately engraved with the flora and fauna of these lands, a lot like the carved chest I had seen in Rafe’s room at the Summer Palace before we left. I missed Rafe and wondered how he was. There was no word from Eldoren as far as I knew, and I had no idea what was going on in the other kingdoms.
Tristan knocked once, and a strong female voice bade us enter.
Tristan gestured me forward and closed the door behind us. The room was big and airy. At its center was a large four-poster bed, hung with light muslin curtains dyed a beautiful black with interwoven silver swirls that lit up as the moonlight touched them. An elderly fae lady sat beside the fireplace warming her hands.
She turned to look at us, and her sapphire eyes sparkled with silver stars, so like Tristan’s. She was older than any of the other High Fae that I had come across since I had arrived in Elfi. Her presence was powerful—I could feel the magic of the night rolling off her in gentle waves, as if it were she who commanded the stars to shine. Her hair was white and elegantly coiffed, and she wore a small silver tiara set with diamonds that sparkled as if she wore the stars on her head.
She was certainly of the Night Court and royal.
“Grandmother.” Tristan bowed formally.
“Tristan, my boy, to what do I owe this pleasure? I thought I would see you shortly at the feast.” She stopped and turned her eyes to me. Her eyebrows went up when she realized who Tristan had brought with him.
Tristan’s grandmother looked me up and down. “What is she wearing?”
Tristan scowled. “That’s what I said.”
I glared back at him.
“Aurora, may I introduce my grandmother, Rhiannon, the Dowager Duchess of the Night Court,” said Tristan formally.
“Pleased to meet you.” I inclined my head in deference to her rank. “I had nothing else to wear,” I explained. “And Brianna said she would send me something.”
“Brianna Darkvale is a jealous little vixen,” snapped the dowager duchess, getting up from her chair. “Her father is a Count of the Day Court and thinks a marriage between Brianna and Tristan will be advantageous to their family. Of course, my son, Tristan’s father, refused the match, but she still thinks it will happen. She’s a troublemaker and no good, stay away from her.”
I nodded and flicked a glance at Tristan, who had taken up his favorite pose: arms crossed and feet apart, glaring at me. I rolled my eyes; he had issues.
“Who cares what Brianna Darkvale thinks?” Tristan said to his grandmother. “Can you fix it?”
She clicked her tongue. “Obviously! Otherwise you wouldn’t have brought her here.”
My spine stiffened and I looked down at my clothes. How would she fix this?
The dowager walked up to me slowly and touched the dress. Within her dark blue eyes, silver sparks swirled as the magic of the night cloaked me. She moved to let me look at myself in the mirror.
Within seconds and with only a touch, the plain green dress had been transformed with powerful fae glamour. The gown that adorned my body was like liquid night, low-necked with thin shoulder straps, flowing about my body, emphasizing every curve. Within the fabric, silver stars sparkled and swirled in an endless dance inside a midnight sky.
My mouth fell open. It was by far the most incredible dress I had ever seen. The dresses of the Eldorean nobility paled in comparison.
“There! Now you are dressed appropriately for the Royal Fae Court.” The dowager duchess smoothed her already perfect hair in the mirror. “And close your mouth, Aurora, you look ridiculous.”
I pressed my lips together.
Tristan came up behind me, looking at my reflection in the mirror. “I think you forgot something.”
“Oh! Yes.” The dowager frowned. “I guess I did.”
She waved her hand, and a silver circlet studded with tiny diamonds appeared on my head.
I turned to face Tristan, hoping to get some reaction other than a scowl. “What do you think?”
Tristan shrugged. “It suits our purpose.” He didn’t scowl, at least.
The High Fae
The grand hall was noisy and bustling when we arrived. Tristan offered me his arm—I took it gratefully as we stepped forward into the throng of fae nobility and my grandmother’s Royal Court. The chattering stopped when we entered, everyone turning to look at the half-fae princess on the arm of the Prince of the Night Court.
The hall was beautifully lit with floating orbs of fae light that moved about the room as if in an intricate dance. Lilting music wafted down from the first-floor gallery that ran overhead and looked out onto the gardens, where the musicians played under a starlit sky.
Whispers followed us as I walked, clutching Tristan’s arm as he escor
ted me to where the queen sat, surrounded by simpering fae nobility. Dressed in all their finery, the fae court glittered in varied hues of gold and silver. A myriad of luscious silks, flowing chiffon, and rich brocades lined with intricate embroidery flowed about their bodies in various styles. Graceful and elegant, the High Fae ladies were all so beautiful, their long hair sparkling in diverse shades of day and night. Stunning jewels twinkled on their necks and hands, glinting in the fae light.
My grandmother eyed me carefully as I followed Tristan’s lead and bowed my head before her. Her crown of pearls glowed in the light of the fae orbs, which hovered above her for her personal use. From the corner of my eye I spotted Brianna standing to the side, the expression on her face giving away her hatred for me. I guess she was upset her plan hadn’t worked.
I ignored her as I stood before the queen.
My grandmother did not smile but nodded once and returned to speaking to the lady seated next to her. She wore a gold diadem, and her azure eyes were piercing as she eyed me.
“Come.” Tristan steered me away from the dais. “Andromeda doesn’t like to be interrupted when she is speaking to the queen.”
“That’s Skye’s mother?” I glanced back at the dais where the grand duchess had resumed her conversation with my grandmother.
Tristan nodded. “And Aiden’s.”
The rest of the High Fae watched me from a distance and whispered in hushed tones, all the while looking straight at me so I had no illusions as to whom they were discussing.
“What did I do now?”
“Let them stare, you have nothing to fear from anyone.” Tristan went to talk to his grandmother, who had just entered the room.
Skye came over wearing an ivory gown trimmed with gold flowers. “There you are.” She gave me a broad smile. “I thought Brianna would send you something to wear. I guess she forgot.”
“She didn’t forget. She sent me something that would not have been appropriate.” I chose my words carefully.
Skye raised her eyebrows. “I see. Well, you look amazing. You’re so lucky, I never get to wear black or red. The colors of the Day Court are so dull. Everyone is talking about you wearing the colors of the Night Court. Even my mother.” She gestured to the Grand Duchess of the Day Court, Andromeda, who was still talking to my grandmother at the high table. “She’s not going to be pleased that one of our family is wearing Night Court colors to their first feast.”
“Family?”
Skye looked at me and narrowed her eyes. “We are cousins, didn’t you know?”
I shook my head—no one had told me this. “No.”
Skye’s eyes softened. “Your grandmother was married to my father’s uncle, your grandfather, and he was the Grand Duke of the Day Court before my father. When he died, there was no male heir, so my father became the next grand duke.”
This was news to me. Skye was my cousin, which meant Aiden was also family. I didn’t like the thought of that.
Cade saw us, waved, and approached. He looked me over and grinned. “Tristan is a clever fellow, I can tell you that.” He winked at me. “Dressing you in the colors of the Night Court. Brilliant move.”
“I still don’t understand what the big deal is. I know I missed something.”
Skye’s turquoise eyes grew wide. “You don’t know what he’s done for you?” She gestured to my clothes. “What all this means?”
I shook my head.
Cade chuckled again; he seemed to find the whole situation very amusing. “Everyone knows your grandmother has not yet proclaimed you as her heir, which means you don’t have her full protection. That’s why she’s having Tristan keep an eye on you, since the Royal Court is a dangerous place for a High Fae, let alone a young half-fae princess.”
My spine stiffened. “I know that.” Izadora had made sure she didn’t give me any preferential treatment, and the rest of the court knew it.
He paused, looking around, and lowered his voice. “Tristan knew what he was doing when he took you to his grandmother. In glamouring you and dressing you in the colors of the Night Court, she has made a statement, putting you under her protection. She has publicly announced that she has accepted you as Izadora’s heir. Everyone will think twice before they dare to harm you.”
My mouth fell open. “Is she so powerful?”
Cade nodded, his face serious. “The Dowager Duchess of the Night Court is one of the fae elders who sit on the Royal Council. No queen can rule Elfi without the backing of the fae elders, and Izadora knows it.”
Tristan had done this for me—he had known exactly what would happen if his grandmother dressed me for the feast. I smiled to myself as Cade led me to the long table where Tristan was already seated. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about Brianna anymore.
I sat down beside Tristan, with Cade on the other side next to Skye.
The long rectangular tables were sumptuously laid with a variety of silver platters that offered honey-roasted vegetables, creamy seafood stew, and fish braised with apples, nuts, and berries. Big bowls of candied walnuts, sugared almonds, and apricots appeared suddenly in front of me.
More and more food kept appearing out of nowhere—it was difficult for me to keep up. On top of that, if I didn’t pick something right away, the food in front of me kept disappearing and ending up on another part of the table, only to be replaced by something more delightful.
Desserts started materializing when the rest of the food had finished. I eyed the towers of fresh pastries and delicate little lemon and lavender cakes, which were like billowy clouds of golden sponge generously topped with dollops of scrumptious buttercream icing and decorated with edible flowers picked from the palace gardens. I took a few more for my plate before they disappeared. These gave a whole new meaning to fairy cakes.
Green-liveried house sprites wandered between the tables, carrying heavy silver pitchers and filling up crystal goblets with an excellent sparkling berry juice while the High Fae chatted and enjoyed themselves at the feast. Looking around, I realized that there wasn’t much of a divide between the courts here. Only the queen and the others of the Elder Council sat at the high table on a raised dais. The rest of the High Fae mingled regardless of which court they belonged to.
Cade and Skye were engrossed in an animated conversation. I leaned over to Tristan. “I thought the Day and Night Courts were rivals?” I asked between mouthfuls. “They all seem very friendly with each other.”
Tristan nodded, taking a sip from his goblet. “The distinction between the courts is now merely symbolic. It is more of a political arrangement. The Grand Dukes of the Day and Night Courts have hereditary titles and lands, which they rule over in the queen’s name. Many of the High Fae families have hereditary magical abilities too, suited to their court. There are some fae creatures who can only be controlled by or pay allegiance to the Night Court, and some whom would not speak to them or fear them. The same goes for the Day Court. Both have different strengths, and the queen uses them to her advantage.”
“Thank you for everything you have done for me,” I said sincerely. I hadn’t thanked him yet for making sure I had the support of one of the Elder Council.
Tristan nodded, and his lip quirked, showing the hint of a grin.
“So, you do know how to smile, Prince Tristan?” I said teasingly.
Cade overheard what I said and laughed, spluttering the contents of his goblet all over the table.
“On occasion.” Tristan scowled at us and went back to frowning at his plate.
I giggled to myself. Under that rough demeanor, the Dark Prince of the Night Court was not so bad after all.
The next morning the Crystal Castle lit up at dawn and sent beams of rainbow-colored light dancing about my room. Cade was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs when I came down.
“Where’s Tristan?” I asked as Cade led me down a flower-filled open corridor, past a secluded courtyard, and toward the gardens. “I wanted to go to the kitchen to get a bite to eat
before going down to the training ground.”
“The dowager duchess has asked to meet with you.” Cade stopped in front of an ornately carved door. “She has requested your presence at breakfast.”
We entered the vast room overlooking the flowering gardens of the fae palace. This was part of the dowager’s suite of rooms. How big was this castle? It seemed to be almost endless with rooms and stairs appearing in places where I could have sworn there were none yesterday. There were some passages extending far back, right into the mountain, and I wondered where they led.
Tristan was already seated at a small round table in the dowager duchess’s breakfast room, talking earnestly with his grandmother. Daylight filtered in through the soft white curtains that fluttered in the morning breeze. He rose when he saw me, scowled as usual, and held a chair for me to sit down.
“You’re late,” said the dowager. “I expect you to be here on time in the future. We have a lot to do.”
“Sorry,” I mumbled, sitting down. I wasn’t that late.
Cade pulled up a chair and sat down too, reaching for the hot pastries that lay in a basket in the center of the table.
The dowager swatted his hand. “Cade, where are your manners?”
Cade looked sheepish and dropped his hands into his lap as the dowager gestured for the pastries to be served. House sprites appeared out of nowhere, dressed in black-and-silver livery, and filled my cup with creamy hot chocolate.
Tristan glared at Cade, sipping quietly on his hot chocolate, and I rolled my eyes. “Can’t you be a little more cheerful?” I asked, exasperated with his moodiness.
Tristan ignored me. His grandmother smiled.
“I spoke with your grandmother and the other elders last night,” said the dowager after she had a sip of her hot chocolate. “And although Tristan will continue training you as a warrior, there are other skills you require to fully master your powers. So you will come to me every afternoon, and I will oversee the rest of your magical training.”
I didn’t know what to say—this was much more than I could have hoped for. The dowager was an Elder Fae, possessing knowledge I could never hope to gain without her. She was a bit abrupt and strict, but she had given me her protection and I was grateful. Maybe I could ask her about the Dawnstar. I had to wait until the exact right time.
The Rise of the Dawnstar (The Avalonia Chronicles Book 2) Page 15