“That is absurd.”
“Perhaps, but it is true.” He resumed styling my hair. “Rumors say you’ve even caught the eye of the prince. Well done, chickadee.”
Indignation filled me. “Ridiculous.” But even as the reply passed my lips, I couldn’t help but relive the moment in the barracks when Prince Brion unleashed his anger on Jasper.
I’d spent many hours analyzing the prince’s excessive reaction, and I had yet to conclude what could have possibly caused him to act so volatile. I knew he was intense, but his behavior seemed a little out of control.
Remi met my eyes in the mirror. He smirked. “Me thinks the woman doth protest too much.”
He was teasing me. It shouldn’t have bothered me but it did. I was uncomfortable with the notion people were talking about me and the prince. Who knew what kind of lies they conjured and spread around as truth?
What if Lin heard?
He’d definitely lose it.
I pinched my lips, determined to say nothing.
Remi’s gaze softened. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” he told me, misguided in his attempt to console me. “Prince Finn is known to be kind. Catching his eye would not be the worst fate for a recruit.”
Prince Finn?
I straightened. I didn’t know we were speaking about that prince. I’d imagined Prince Brion’s violent and public action had been responsible for the rumors.
Now, I thought about Prince Finn.
Sure, he sent me flowers when I was sick and I caught him staring a time or two, but that was just an example of his surprising benevolence. Did people interpret those things to mean he cared for me? I hadn’t thought about that before.
“I’m aware of Prince Finn’s qualities,” I offered after noticing Remi awaited a reply. His hands hung frozen in the air above my head. Once I spoke, he continued his task. “But there is nothing… inappropriate happening.”
Remi laughed. Loud.
“Inappropriate? How charming.”
“What is?”
“You. You Caldirians, I swear, are absolutely adorable. No wonder the prince is so smitten.”
My face burned. “He is not.”
His amusement lingered. “My dear, servant gossip says he is. Now, now. Don’t look so mortified. Like I said, it is a good thing to have such a draekon interested in you. I mean, he is the prince for goodness sake. The only other more powerful option is his father, and let’s just say he isn’t as cordial as his youngest son.”
Prince Finn was the younger twin?
I focused on the more pressing question. “Are stories of King Roderick’s cruelty true?” I held my breath, waiting to learn if the draekon cruelty I grew up hearing about was real.
I saw Remi’s face drain of color. “Best not to discuss such things, dear.” He licked his lips, his eyes darting to the bathing room where the princess was getting ready.
I understood the warning, but I longed to hear if my worst fears about the draekon were reasonable. Was the king the monster from my nightmares?
Before I could persist, Remi shook his head and pasted a bright, although forced, smile on his lips. “The prince is a worthy catch. Well done, you.” He changed the subject like a professional.
“Prince Finn is not interested in me.” My voice was flat, holding a note of finality.
Remi, thankfully, heeded my subtle command to stop his friendly teasing. He mumbled something unintelligible under his breath before falling silent.
His touch, light as feathers, flew across my head, putting the finishing touches on the artistic creation he sculpted from my hair.
Princess Cienna made her appearance a short time later, the steam from the bathing room billowing out after her. She fussed over my hairstyle, raining down praise on to Remi for his talent. I fought a smile when I saw the purple-haired man blush and stammer his appreciation for the princess’s kind words. He didn’t seem the sort to be flustered so easily.
Remi stuck around to finish applying cosmetics to both me and the princess—a request which had made his jaw fall to the floor. Initially, I observed the slight tremor of his hands as he painted Princess Cienna’s eyelids with a sable brush. However, as the princess initiated polite and charming conversation, the man’s nervousness faded.
After changing into a long, slender, pale green gown, and securing delicate gold sandals to my feet, I was ready for the evening.
That is, I was physically ready for the event. I glanced in the mirror, and although I’d seen myself dressed up before, the sight still left me stunned.
Remi’s work with the kohl lining my eyes made me look mysterious. The light pink color painting my lips made them look full and inviting, and my dress made me look elegant… and daring. The gown’s thin straps and bodice reached above my collarbones, meeting at the back of my neck. My skin was bare from my shoulders to just above the dimples above my lower back.
Princess Cienna had jumped in before I could protest the revealing dress. She wore a matching gown and said, “All friends of the mating pair wear similar dresses. Our clothing was chosen by the couple. It would break tradition to wear anything else.”
I assumed, as the princess’s guest for the event, I would be subjected to her dress code. Knowing how the draekon felt about their traditions, I was forced to comply.
I followed the princess out of the room shortly after she relieved Remi of his duties. Once again, she applauded his skill and promised to send word the next time she was in need of a stylist. I swore Remi walked on air as he exited the royal quarters.
“Where’s Jona?” I picked up my skirt, slowly making my way down the wide, carpeted stairwell. The last thing I wanted to do was trip and fall on my face, especially in front of all the draekon also making their way to the companion ceremony.
The princess seemed distracted. She fidgeted with her silk shawl. “My cousin? She is preparing for the ceremony on her own.”
“Cousin?” I hadn’t known.
She nodded absentmindedly. “On my mother’s side.”
It was the first I heard mention of the former queen. I knew very little about her, aside from the fact she was a renowned beauty, more so than your average, stunning draekon, and that she no longer walked among us in the world. She died just after the second curse was placed on the draekon.
“Are you looking for someone?” I tried to follow the princess’s gaze as it slid over the draekon around us. They never stopped moving for long.
“My brother.” Her reply made me swallow.
I resisted the urge to ask which brother. I wasn’t sure which would be better, anyway. At the moment, both of the princes made me uneasy for their own reasons.
“Oh?” I congratulated myself for sounding calm.
“Unattached females are always escorted into the ceremony,” she explained. “He promised to perform the service. We cannot enter without him.”
Knowing I would have to stand in close proximity to the prince forced me to acknowledge Prince Finn would be the preferred brother for the job. I wasn’t lying when I told Remi I knew of his kindness. We’d had many comfortable and non-threatening exchanges since I helped him during the castle attack and began treating his sister.
Sure, the knowledge that servants whispered untruths about us made me uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as the dark temper of Prince Brion.
No, I’d definitely choose the subdued twin over the unpredictable one any day.
Our feet touched the marbled floor on the first level. We slowly moved to the ballroom but stood outside its ornately carved doors as we waited for our escort to arrive.
While the princess spent her time continuing to search for her brother, I observed the draekon around me. Many entered the ballroom together, while some linked arms with beautiful and handsome humans—their companions.
Many draekon sported their companions with pride while some, I noted with a frown, barely spared them a glance. I saw more than a few couples enter where the draekon walked in f
ront, not even acknowledging the humans trailing one step behind.
Disgust and sadness warred for dominance as I watched those humans meekly follow the powerful creatures. I forced myself to not contemplate what their life was like in private. No doubt, it would only take me down a dark, depressing path.
The hair on my neck stood on end. I rotated, trying to find the source of the sudden, uneasy feeling in my gut. I knew the reason the moment my eyes landed on the blond head of hair.
The crowd separating us broke away, revealing Lord Erwin and his roguish smile. The elven male approached, bowing low before the princess. “Your Highness.”
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“Lord Erwin.” It was the first time I heard the detached, royal voice from the princess. Peeking at her, I noted her cool, indifferent expression. She wasn’t fond of the elven male; that much was obvious.
He straightened. “I am pleased to see your recovery continues.”
At first, I thought he was speaking to the princess. But with a start, I realized he spoke to me.
“Thank you.”
He bowed his head. “May I accompany you into the ceremony?”
Again while I thought he directed the question to the princess, I was mistaken. His green eyes didn't stray from me.
“We are waiting for Prince Finn’s escort,” Princess Cienna replied.
I bobbed my head. Prince Finn was definitely a better option than his brother and Lord Erwin.
“Perhaps Amelissa wouldn’t mind my escort instead?” His eyes gleamed, daring me to say no.
I opened my mouth to do just that when I noticed several pairs of eyes landing on me. Passing nobles observed me with interest, and several overheard the male’s offer.
I bit my cheek. Did I want to walk into the ceremony with Lord Erwin? Of course not. But I wanted to cause a scene even less.
With a fortifying breath, I murmured, “If you insist.”
“Oh,” Lord Erwin said, stepping closer and positioning himself to my right, effectively boxing out the princess. He leaned down and whispered, “I do insist.”
A shiver raced down my spine. I looked away, registering his smug expression, and regretted my decision.
He held out his arm and waited for me to take it. I lifted my hand and placed it atop his. The princess shot me a sympathetic glance as I turned toward the open doors. She could have insisted I stay with her, but I saw when she noticed the interested gazes of those around us. She didn’t want to draw attention by arguing with the emissary, either.
Standing tall, Lord Erwin escorted me into the ceremony. I mimicked his confident posture, avoiding the curious glances and contemplative stares.
“You look lovely this evening.”
The compliment was lost on me. “Thank you.”
We passed the first row of guests, located in the back of the long ballroom. After a quick survey, I guessed there were more than twenty rows on each side of the aisle, and each row contained ten chairs.
I gulped. That was a lot of draekon.
“Are you fully recovered from your illness?”
I turned my chin up to meet Lord Erwin’s gaze. Sincerity shined behind the beautiful emerald color but I dismissed it. “Yes. Completely.”
“Hmm.” Lord Erwin scanned the length of my body and his brows furrowed. Finally, his attention returned to my face. “Not quite, but you are close.”
What a strange thing to say.
“You say that like you know…” I let my statement hang in the space between us.
We neared the front of the ballroom, and I noted the guest chairs were more ornate than the ones in the back rows.
Lord Erwin ignored my words as he gestured me to the second row on the right-hand side.
Instead of leaving me at a nearby chair, Lord Erwin slid in after me, falling gracefully into his seat. Between his long legs blocking the aisle and the couple on my other side, I was trapped. Having no other choice, I lowered myself onto the chair beside him. Our shoulders nearly touched.
I felt beyond uncomfortable. Murmurs and whispers fluttered around me, and I knew some centered around my entrance with Lord Erwin and my current position at his side. I took calming breaths and kept my eyes forward, determined to present a calm facade.
So much for not starting rumors.
“Relax.” The word brushed against my ear. I jerked away. Lord Erwin smirked, stretching back and letting his arm fold over the back of my chair.
I ground my teeth.
“Relax,” he repeated. “All your behavior does is incite further comment. Sit back and act normal. Eventually, they will move on to discuss other things.”
I assessed him as I contemplated his words. Lord Erwin responded by giving me a lazy smile and moving his fingers against the back of my right shoulder. I leaned into the chair, forcing him to pull his arm back or get squashed. His chuckle chimed, charming me against my will.
I tried to hide my emotions. I murmured, “Is this funny to you?”
His mouth widened. “Very much.”
At least he admitted it. I glanced to the front of the ballroom, focusing on the stunning décor as I considered my situation. Courage formed my next words. “This is the second time you have approached me.” I kept my attention forward. I could feel Lord Erwin’s powerful stare on my cheek. “Why?”
He let seconds pass. “I told you there would be a next time.” He paraphrased his words from my first, and only, court dinner. He’d allowed me to escape his nerve-wracking presence, but let the words, “until next time,” haunt my steps as I moved away.
I shook my head. “Yes, but why? Why seek me out?”
“Why do you think?”
Perhaps it was my lack of proper nutrition that rid me of my ability to censor words. Or maybe it was solely due to the fatigue left over from my illness. Whatever the reason, it was no excuse for the next question rolling past my lips. “Is it because my family is from your continent?”
Lord Erwin stiffened. Dark clouds swirled in the emerald sea of his gaze as his sharp eyes locked onto mine. “What do you know about Avelin?”
I blinked at the hard tone. “Only that humans live there, too. And they are blond… like me.”
His shoulders relaxed, allowing the sudden tension to release from my shoulders as well. The sudden anger baffled me. What was so offensive about asking after his home continent? Did it have to do with the fact Lord Erwin currently sat in his people’s enemy’s court?
I pressed my lips together, preventing any more thoughtless comments or questions from emerging.
Lord Erwin’s demeanor, however, left no trace of his former agitation. “It is as you say.”
I didn’t understand. “What?”
The incorrigible smirk returned. “Humans reside on Avelin. And, yes, many are blond like you.”
Oh, right. “Why are you in Draek?”
Thankfully, Lord Erwin didn’t fall back into anger. Though, he did look away from me. “Peace negotiations.”
“With the king?”
The male spared a glance at the room around us. I did the same and noticed no one had decided to take the seats next to us. The front rows were crowded, but the guests didn’t venture to fill in the empty spots so close to the elven male. We were alone with the other couple, but I did a double take as I realized the pair had moved a few seats down to distance themselves.
“Yes,” he answered with a moderated tone.
“Is it about the curses? Are you planning to lift them?”
A blond brow lifted. “And what do you know about the curses?”
Enough to know if you lifted the blight on the draekon’s homeland, perhaps they would go home and leave us alone.
I shrugged, restraining myself. It didn’t escape me that Lord Erwin represented the source of all of the human’s problems with draekon. If the elven people had never cursed the beasts, they never would have ventured to our continent.
But it also didn’t escape me that Lord Erwin was more formidable tha
n the draekon. The power to bestow curses on the creatures ruling over the kingdom was no small matter. The male was powerful, and I reminded myself to tread with caution.
Lord Erwin settled back in his chair, crossing his arms as he considered me. I tried not to fidget, resigned to give him nothing noteworthy to consider.
He pursed his lips, then said, “I am not here to lift any curse.”
Undeniable disappointment tightened my chest. “I see.”
“But I am an ambassador for my king.” It was the first I’d heard of an elven king. “He sent me to negotiate a cease-fire between Draekon and Avelin.” Again, he surveyed our surroundings, looking to see if anyone listened to our conversation.
“The recent attack must have damaged those plans,” I spoke carefully, waiting to see what else the male would offer me.
“As I’m sure you recall hearing me say at dinner, those elves were outcasts of my country. My king did not orchestrate the attack on the castle.”
“Of course.” I backed down after hearing the hardness seep into his voice. Silence settled between us while the rest of the room murmured with excitement.
I cleared my throat. “Have you ever witnessed a companion ceremony?”
“On Draekon, no. But we have something similar in Avelin.”
“Oh.” I looked forward, finally seeing the decorated altar centered in front of the rows of chairs. The hard marble slab was draped with flowering vines. A thick, ancient looking book sat on top of it.
I’d seen many weddings in Caldiri. Despite the region’s poverty, citizens of Caldiri came together for the momentous occasions. Men, women, and children all picked wildflowers and tried our best to decorate the simple wooden chapel located within town. The marriage ceremony was informal, often officiated by one of the elders in the region. Through some unspoken rule, each of them had been instructed in the ways of performing marital rights.
After life-altering vows and the exchange of promises, the couple would be announced as husband and wife. I wondered how the companion ceremony compared.
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