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“Thank you. I do appreciate it. I hope I can help.” Ayda’s voice was tinged with worry.
Luvon brushed it off, giving her a short bow before disappearing down the long hall with a swiftness only an elf could possess.
Ayda took a deep breath to settle her erratic nerves, gripping the ornate doorknob and shoving the door open with her shoulder. It swung open quickly, and Ayda stepped inside, her breath disappearing.
The entire room was decorated in shades of green from top to bottom. The floors and ceilings were cut to accommodate two large trees growing through the room. There was an elaborate fireplace carved in shining beech wood with scenes of elves and other woodland creatures and an enormous four-poster bed. It was covered in more linens than Ayda had ever seen, and it matched two large armchairs facing the fire.
“It pays to be elven royalty, I guess.” Ayda whistled aloud.
She stepped through the room to another door, carved with mother-of-pearl and silver inlays, which opened to reveal a bathroom made almost entirely of the same materials. The first thing that caught Ayda's eye was a massive soaking tub inlaid with gemstones and river stones around the basin.
“Well,” Ayda clapped her hands together happily, “I guess I know what I'm doing before I need to get ready.”
Chapter Nine
Ayda soaked away the rest of her hesitations in the massive tub, letting the hot water soothe some of her anxieties. Elion and Imra had been gracious to her upon her arrival, but that didn't mean she wasn't prone to embarrassing herself at a royal reception.
The last thing she needed was the entire court of royal elves looking at her all night like she would be the answer to their problem. No one was better than the elves at earth magic. It was only because their power was being affected by the curse that she was even being brought in.
“It'll be fine.” Ayda murmured weak encouragements in the mirror. “You’re going to do everything you can. You aren't going to embarrass yourself at dinner tonight. You remember how to talk to people.”
Ayda most certainly did not remember how to talk to people. It was easy to get along with the O'Neil brothers; they could get along with anyone and were practically family. But everyone else? That was another story.
Ayda relished the sensation of magic in the air, rifling through the large armoire in the bedroom. True to Luvon's promise, there was a stunning gown in another dazzling shade of emerald, with colorful embroidery all around the borders and the sleeves.
Ayda wondered how they had guessed her size perfectly until she detected a small charm on the laces. The gown was bewitched and would magically tailor itself to her body as she dressed.
“The elves have thought of everything,” Ayda whistled in admiration. She couldn’t help but admire her reflection in the mirror, unable to help but feel at least a little giddy over the idea of going to an elven royal reception dressed like a princess. She could put up with other people to wear this dress.
There were toiletries and cosmetics in the bathroom, and Ayda took her time getting ready, enjoying the process and the stunning accommodations she had been placed in.
Remind me about getting a tree to grow through the living room back home.
As the sun began to set, a polite knock at the door came as Ayda was buckling her shoe. Ayda smoothed down some of her flyaways and gave herself one last glimpse in the mirror, bolstering her courage and trying to remember what she could about elven customs before opening the door.
Hùisdean was standing there, glowing with his remaining magic. Ayda's heart started pounding. She had not expected Hùisdean, and per Luvon's instructions, she was expecting a typical palace aide to escort her to the great hall.
Hùisdean was dressed in a dark green shade that perfectly matched the one Ayda wore. Even the embroidery looked similar, using some of the same colors, gemstones, and banners. His hair had been washed and practically shone in the torches’ light, stretching nearly down to his waist like spun white gold. A decorative scabbard was at his waist, but Ayda could sense a magical weapon from a mile away. The most shocking thing, potentially, was the elaborate crown perched on his head.
It didn't look like any crown Ayda had seen before. It was made of gold and intertwined with branches, sticking several inches above Hùisdean's head. Diamonds were carefully arranged on the small sticks, looking like dew.
And this is Hùisdean under a curse. Ayda's stomach nearly fell to the floor. Imagine what his power will feel like when the curse is broken.
“Please tell me that everyone isn't this dressed up just for me,” Ayda blurted. She knew her dress was elaborate, but something about seeing Hùisdean in his formal elven finery made her nervous again.
That's not what you're nervous about. Ayda's traitorous brain chimed in, which was entirely unhelpful.
“Well,” Hùisdean shrugged, “to be fair, elves will use any occasion to dress up.” He extended an elbow to Ayda with a small smile. “It's our thing. You look…” he trailed off.
“What?” Ayda accepted his arm, her hand going to her braided updo. “Did I do something wrong? I figured braids would be appropriate, but I can change.”
“No, no,” Hùisdean corrected her quickly, “they're perfect. I was going to say you look breathtaking tonight, Ayda.”
Ayda could feel her palms beginning to sweat. She peered up at Hùisdean, forcing an awkward but genuine smile. “Oh, come now, princeling. You already got me here by winning a bet. You don't need to resort to flattery. That's not who we are.”
Hùisdean chuckled darkly as he started escorting her down the long hallway. Small groups of equally fabulously dressed elves were already heading in the same direction, approaching the banquet. Hùisdean bent down and whispered in her ear.
“I would never resort to flattery. I'm good enough with a sword to avoid that. Besides, ‘There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.’”
