Ashes of Roses (Tales of the Latter Kingdoms Book 4)

by Pope, Christine

  “That’s what she went me for,” I explained.

  “She’ll set the chimney on fire if she’s not careful,” the cook said darkly. “All to fancy up those two, who haven’t a chance in the world of catching His Majesty’s eye.”

  I gave a noncommittal shrug, as I knew she was right but didn’t dare admit such a thing out loud. “I’d best get the wood and go back upstairs, for she’s sure to let me know if I’ve taken too long.”

  “That’s no more than the truth.” A sigh, and she went back to swirling the broth she was making.

  At least I did not have to go outside to fetch the firewood, as Janks had brought in a substantial load earlier that day. I bent and gathered as much into my arms as I could, being careful not to give myself a splinter in the process, then dashed back upstairs. Mari was still winding Jenaris’ long hair around the rods, but she appeared to be almost done. Good thing, too, as Shelynne appeared to be fairly dancing with impatience as she waited her turn.

  “Go on, put some more on the fire,” my stepmother instructed me with narrowed eyes. “You’ve practically let it go out.”

  As the fire appeared to be more or less dancing away happily, I knew this was simply more hyperbole on her part. However, long years of these sorts of reprimands had taught me that the best thing to do was give an apologetic nod and then attend to the matter at hand forthwith.

  Let her upbraid you as much as she wishes, I told myself. Indeed, consider it a gift to her, since after tonight she will no longer have the opportunity to do so.

  This pleasant thought brought a small smile to my lips — one that my stepmother noted at once.

  “What are you grinning at, you foolish girl?” she demanded. “I see nothing funny in the situation!”

  “Oh, no, ma’am, it isn’t that,” I said quickly. “I suppose I was just smiling because of how lovely the gowns are and how pretty Jenaris and Shelynne look.”

  This lie seemed to mollify her, and she let out a “humph” before crossing around to Jenaris’ other side to see how her hair was progressing. “I swear, Mari, you are slower than the Silth in Janver,” she snapped, and the maid started a bit and then bit her lip as she unwound the curl she had been working on from the rod.

  If it had been anyone else, I might have felt a bit sorry for her, but I had been on the receiving end of far too many of Mari’s slights and petty cruelties to summon up much sympathy. As it was, I retreated once more to my corner, standing ready in case I should be called upon for any further trivialities.

  For the nonce it seemed my stepmother had forgotten me, for she watched as Mari finished off Jenaris’ hair, inspected it closely, and at last gave a grudging nod. “It will do. Come, Shelynne, it is your turn. I suppose I should be grateful your hair isn’t quite as thick as your sister’s.”

  At this remark Shelynne stuck out a mutinous lower lip, but she appeared to realize that arguing the point would get her nowhere. Still pouting, she settled herself on the stool beside the fire while Mari set to.

  It was Jenaris’ turn to receive a careful application of cosmetics, only in her case they did not create nearly as much of a metamorphosis as they had with her sister. No, I reflected, she still looked something like a pig, with her upturned nose and round chin, only a pig with lip color and darkened eyelids.

  That thought made me visualize an actual pig wearing lip stain, and I had to stifle a giggle. No, it would never do to appear too high-spirited, or my stepmother was sure to guess that something was going on.

  But she appeared to be preoccupied, finishing off the final touches on Jenaris' plump cheeks before she called me over to help with her eldest daughter’s ensemble. First the silk stockings and their silk garters, and then the gossamer-fine chemise, and finally the glory of the gown itself, with all those tiny seed pearls glowing from the heavy gold trim that wove its away around the neckline and embellished the separate sleeves, which tied on to the main gown with lengths of golden ribbon.

  Once she was arrayed in her finery, Jenaris appeared as resplendent as she ever would. The gown was very fine, as was the tiny cap of embroidered gold brocade that topped her dark curls.

  Yes, she looks lovely…until you gaze at her face, I thought with some spite, and then was ashamed. Truly, it was not Jenaris’ fault that she was not as handsome as her mother or her sister. Then again, she made no attempt to ensure that her character was attractive, even if her face was not, so certainly some blame for that must rest on her shoulders.

  By then Mari had finished with Shelynne’s hair, and the dressing process began all over again with her. She truly did look lovely when we were all done, so much so that I actually clapped my hands together and exclaimed, “Oh, Shelynne, you look so beautiful!”

  She beamed at that, even as her sister scowled, for of course I had offered no such compliment to her. “Am I? Truly?”

  “Yes, you’ll do very well,” her mother cut in. “I think His Majesty will truly notice you this evening.”

  “Oh, he spoke with me last night, and Jenaris, too, but gave no indication of being in love.” A shrug, the silver trim of her gown glinting in the candlelight. “But that is all right, for I am beginning to think that Lady Gabrinne had the better plan by seeking out a nobleman for herself instead of trying to catch His Majesty’s eye. If I truly look as pretty as you say, then perhaps I should try to catch the notice of an earl’s son, or a widowed baron, rather than chasing after the Emperor.”

  “Fine,” scoffed Jenaris. “I think it an excellent plan, for that will make one fewer in contention for the throne.”

  “Do not talk such nonsense, Shelynne,” her mother said. “In one thing Ashara is right — you are looking very beautiful this evening, and it would be foolish to waste that on some piddling nobleman rather than the Emperor himself. I’ll hear no more of it.”

  Upon hearing this, Shelynne subsided; she knew as well as any of us the folly of defying her mother. Instead, she let out a little sigh, and began to gather up her fan and her bag. Jenaris did the same, and I hurried to slip her cloak onto her shoulders, taking care that I did not disarrange her careful curls in the process. A moment later I did the same for Shelynne, and then it was time for them to descend the stairs to the carriage that waited for them outside.

  I hoped then that my stepmother would dismiss me, for I knew time was wasting, and I had my own preparations to make. But after a few final admonitions to her daughters to smile their brightest and save all their wittiest banter for the Emperor, she turned to me, gave me a look of some suspicion, and said, “Ashara, go to Claris and have her fix me a light supper, for all this tumult has me quite famished.”

  My heart sank at those words, even as I wondered precisely what that slanting glance of hers had meant. Oh, I was eager to be away, but I thought I had done very well in pretending I had nothing to look forward to, that this evening was no different for me than any other. I also knew she would expect me to wait until the meal was prepared and then bring it up to her in her chambers, and I most certainly did not have time for that. The ball was set to start at eight in the evening, and if I were lucky I had barely a half hour for my aunt to transform my ragged clothing into an elegant gown and for me to get to the palace.

  Protests would be useless, however, so I merely curtseyed and said, “Of course, ma’am. I’ll see to it directly.”

  I went then to Claris and delivered my stepmother’s request. She nodded. “Well, I’ve got this nice broth already made up, although she’ll have to make do with yesterday’s bread. Be a love and get me those quince preserves from the pantry, will you?”

  As I carried out this request, a sudden idea struck me. Just as I was handing over the jar of preserves to the cook, I grabbed at my stomach with my free hand and made what I hoped was a grimace of agony.

  “What is it, Ashara?” she asked. “Are you quite well?”

  “I — don’t — know,” I panted, putting on my best imitation of someone forcing their words out past a go
od deal of pain. “I have — the most grinding cramp — oh! I have to go!”

  And I fled out the back door, heading for the noisome little outhouse that Janks and I shared. The other ladies of the house used chamberpots, but of course such niceties were too good for the likes of me. However, I did not go to the outhouse, but instead hurried into the stable and shut the door behind me as quickly as I could.

  “I would give your stepmother a piece of my mind about how she is always delaying you, but after tonight I suppose it will not matter,” said my aunt as she emerged from her normal hiding place in one of the far stalls.

  “Oh, no, and we must be quick, for the only way I could think of to escape was to pretend a griping of my belly. I do not think anyone will pursue me to the outhouse — at least, not right away, but — ”

  “I understand,” she said, and her eyes twinkled a bit. “But thank you for that piece of intelligence, for now I can make sure to be wan and dragging and look thoroughly ill when I am pretending to be you. But in the meantime — ” She broke off, smiling, and then uttered the words of her spell, the syllables this time sounding even deeper and richer, as if the enchantment she was casting was far greater than any she had done before.

  The air seemed to shiver around me, and it was as though I felt thousands of glimmers of light pass over me, somehow through me. And when I looked down, I saw I wore a gown so magnificent I was sure its like had never been seen before, not here in the courts of Sirlende or anywhere else on the continent.

  For it seemed almost as if I had been clothed in a dress of molten copper, the fabric glinting every time I moved, and yet somehow also light and airy. I was sure it would swirl most beautifully around me as I danced. And the sleeves were worked with copper bullion and topaz and golden pearls in designs so intricate I could hardly guess at their patterns, with that same pattern repeated around the low neckline of my gown. Echoing the color of the dress itself, only a shade or two darker, my hair spilled over my shoulders in heavy curls, gleaming like a new and rare metal.

  “Gods…” I breathed, and my aunt clapped her hands together in delight.

  “Oh, good. I hoped you would like it. I’ve been dreaming it up the past two days.”

  “Like it?” I repeated, and shook my head. “I could never have imagined anything so beautiful ever existed.”

  “Well, to be fair, it doesn’t really exist, you know. Now, turn around so I can make sure everything is perfect.”

  Dutifully I spun for her, the gleaming copper skirts swirling around me with a whisper. As I had thought, the fabric moved beautifully.

  “Yes, that should do,” she said after she made a careful inspection. “I don’t see how the Emperor will be able to look at anyone else once he catches a glimpse of you in this.”

  “But that’s just it — he won’t be looking at anyone else. We’ve already promised ourselves to one another. We were merely waiting until tonight to make the announcement.”

  At that revelation she beamed and pulled me close so she could crush me in a fierce hug. I began to open my mouth to protest, but then realized of course she could do no damage to my hair or gown, so I shut my mouth just as quickly and returned the hug.

  “Ah, then, I suppose the dress does not matter so much. Still,” she added, looking me over once more, “I am glad that you will be this magnificent when the Emperor reveals to everyone that you are the choice of his heart, for I cannot see how anyone could not believe the right of such a decision. You do look like an Empress.”

  Her eyes teared up then, and I made some sort of concerned sound. Aunt Therissa waved a hand and shook her head, saying,

  “Oh, I am happy. I just wish — I wish my poor sister could have seen the lovely young woman you’ve grown up to be. She would be so very proud.”

  Those words brought on a tightness in my own throat, but I swallowed and told myself this was no time to weep. After all, I did not want to go to Torric with reddened eyes and a swollen nose. “I am glad you think she would be pleased. I will do my best to make her proud.”

  “I know you will. Now go! It is one thing to be just late enough that you make a fine entrance, but after that it is just rudeness.”

  Didn’t I know, after having to sneak into the musicale the night before. So I kissed my aunt once again and gathered up the gossamer glinting fabric of my skirts, then hurried out into the night. This time I did not take any great care at concealment, but ran to the back gate and let myself out. Janks was nowhere to be seen, and so I was safe, this last time I must escape my stepmother’s house.

  All during the carriage ride I made myself breathe deeply, to calm myself as best I could. This was the last event of five; I should be an old hand at appearing in front of so many people by now. I had survived unscathed so far, and only a few hours now separated me from my engagement to Torric and the start of a new life. Yes, that was exciting and nerve-wracking in its own way, but at least I could at last banish the fear that had been dogging me for the greater part of a week, the worry that sooner or later I would be revealed for the fraud I was.

  Yes, it was late, but not horribly so. As the carriage slowed to a stop inside the palace gates, I saw that mine was the last coach to arrive, but several still lingered there as well, indicating their passengers had only just alighted a moment or two before. Heartened by that observation, I waited with a heavily beating heart as the coachman came around and handed me down, then bowed.

  “Truly, you do look like a princess, miss,” he said.

  “Thank you,” I replied, realizing I had never asked his name, as I had always been in such a hurry when coming and going from my aunt’s house. “I think tonight you will not need to wait for me.”

  “Ah,” he replied, and nodded knowingly toward the palace and its myriad windows gleaming like gold in the darkness. “Have high hopes, I suppose. Well, I’ve been paid to stay here until needed, so I think I’ll do that. You can always send word at the end of the evening if things should turn out otherwise.”

  He seemed determined, so I nodded my agreement and then hurried off toward the looming front doors of the palace, which now stood open and let out a flood of light and the distant sounds of music and the murmur of many people’s voices. It was still difficult for me to believe that this imposing edifice would soon be my home.

  With that thought to propel me, I made my way down the seemingly endless main corridor, past the ranks of men who stood guard there, and on to the ballroom. There I paused just on the threshold so I might peer inside and gain my bearings, and it took everything within me not to gasp out loud in delight.

  For while I had noted how sumptuous the decorations had been for the previous four events, they were as nothing compared to the fairyland I saw before me now. If there were any roses left in the gardens of Iselfex and the surrounding towns, I would have been very surprised, for it seemed there must be thousands upon thousands of them gathered in the ballroom, swagged on every wrought-iron chandelier, hanging from every sconce, festooning the dais where the musicians played, gathered into sumptuous arrangements on the tables that held the food and drink. The scent of all those massed flowers was almost overwhelming, and I blinked, attempting to get my bearings.

  But everywhere I looked there was something else to catch my attention, from the cunning little candles set amongst the roses, making them almost seem as if they glowed from within, to the bewildering color and variety of the attendees. Everyone had turned out in their finest, and it seemed the Emperor must have put out the call for all noble gentlemen between twenty and forty to be here as well, so that no one should have to lack for a partner.

  Girls in scarlet and azure and coral gowns moved in the slow, stately steps of the linotte, while their partners, dressed in soberer hues of black and gray and deep blue and green, kept the pace with them. Jewels glistened from ears and necks and wrists, and shoes spangled with discs of silver and gold peeped out from beneath gleaming silk and luxurious velvet.

  I sto
pped just inside the door, scanning the crowd for Torric, but I did not see him. Perhaps he was on the dance floor, continuing the charade for just a while longer.

  “Good gods, what a gown!” came Gabrinne’s voice from over my right shoulder, and I turned toward her, glad beyond measure that she was there to greet me.

  “Oh, Gabrinne,” I breathed. “Isn’t it all wonderful?”

  “Yes, it is,” she replied at once, staring at me in amazement. “Where on earth did you get that fabric? I have never seen its like!”

  Luckily, I had anticipated a question such as this, and had concocted a story during the drive to the palace. “It was a gift from my aunt. She has traveled extensively, and bought it in Keshiaar many years ago. They do wonderful things with textiles there.”

  “I wish I had your aunt!” Gabrinne exclaimed, eyeing the dress with some envy. “Then again, I am not sure I could carry off that color, whereas it suits you most astonishingly. A lucky purchase!”

  I lifted my shoulders. “Well, my mother — her sister — had hair the same color as mine, so my aunt already knew it should work quite well one day. Besides,” I added, casting my own admiring glance over her gown of deep emerald damask, with trim of silver and peacock-hued pearls, “your dress is very beautiful, and looks wonderful on you.”

  She dipped a mischievous curtsey, a dimple showing in the corner of her mouth. “Thank you for the compliment, Ashara! I will admit that Lord Senric did praise it quite excessively when he first saw it.”

  “And where is he?” I inquired. “For I would have thought you’d keep him close by your side, what with all these predatory ladies looking for dance partners.”

  “As to that, I sent him off for a cup of wine, but then I saw you come in, looking like every princess from every tale I’d ever read, and I quite forgot about the wine!”

  “But luckily I did not,” a deep voice cut in, and I looked over to see Lord Senric standing a few paces away, a silver goblet of wine in either hand.