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Midnight-blue satin layers tumbled free. Odette held up the garment to show off a gown as stunning as her own. “You will steal the realm’s hearts in this.”
Beads of pearls lined the top like frothing water before they blended into dark waves at the bottom. I’d be an ocean, either raging or calm depending on the set of my expression, returning from isolation when none expected it. Shivers of anticipation ran through me.
“It’s everything,” I breathed, gently taking the fabric between my fingers.
“I had it made special for you. There is a pocket in here to perfectly fit a dagger.”
“Which you won’t need,” Talen added quickly.
Odette slyly looked at me. “You never know.” She recovered the dress and then gazed around the room. “Talen wasn’t exaggerating. You’ve been creating painting after painting.”
“There was little else to do.”
Her expression turned apologetic. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for company. Now I see you needed me.”
“No, I didn’t mean for you to feel guilty,” I quickly added. “Actually, Troi was here almost every day. I now know enough chess to play it in my sleep.”
“Just wait until everyone turns to chess pieces in your dreams,” Talen said. When Odette and I both looked at him, he shrugged. “It’s happened.” He poured a glass of cider for himself and Odette. I swore his gaze lingered on her when he passed it. “Anyway, how did things go on the outer islands?”
Odette sank into a chair before the fire. “Dreadful. I’ll never convince them.” She held down one end of a wool as I unrolled it. With a jolt, I realized I still hadn’t repaid Lord Winster for how he’d tricked me my first night. I made a mental note to revisit that idea when I wasn’t so focused on the painting. It wouldn’t be right to leave the realm without settling that score.
My stomach twisted at the thought of leaving, and I caught my breath. Once I left, I’d never sit on a wool this fine again. I’d never drink such rich wine from a diamond glass or play chess on a marble board. I’d never fly through the night sky on a golden chariot or sit on a throne below my very own three stars. I’d never see Talen or Odette or Troi again. I’d never see Bash.
“What work do you have along the outer islands?” I asked to keep my mind from traitorous thoughts.
“I’m attempting to broker peace with my cousin Vern. You remember him? The one who shot you? And King Thorn who, true to his name, is as sharp as a thorn.” She gave a dramatic sigh. “He has dreamy eyes though.”
“Stuck-up snob, if you ask me.” Talen’s voice was rigid.
“Why would you want to help Vern?”
“It’s not him I want to help,” Odette replied. “It’s his people. Thorn’s lands account for over half the farms, and without him we’d all starve. If Vern doesn’t make nice, the people could starve, and that includes my family.”
Fighting for her family—that was something I could relate to. Antonio watched me from his place, reminding me of my own reasons for not giving up.
“Actually”—she scooted her chair closer to me—“I’m hoping you can be of assistance in that regard.”
I didn’t want to do anything for Vern, but Odette was different from her cousin. “Want me to paint him a picture? That seems to be all I’m capable of.”
She laughed. “No. I want you to sway King Thorn. He’s a smart man, but too often led by his heart. And recently his heart has pulled him in a hundred directions, one girl after the other. If you caught his eye, he could be persuaded to follow your bidding.”
My ears perked up. “I like the sound of that.” I might not have to trick him into owing me a favor. I could smile my way into it.
She beamed. “Good. He’ll be at Brock’s gala in a week, which is the event we plan for you to make your grand reappearance. Wear this dress, bat your lashes a few times, and he’ll be yours. Trust me, he’s not a hard catch.”
Talen frowned. “Trust you? How close are you and Thorn?”
There was mischief in her eyes. “I’ve been known to play with him a few times myself. One of those cracks just might be from me.”
The fire popped at my feet, almost as if igniting excitement inside me. One more week and I’d reenter the realm and play its games, shock the fae with my early release and dazzle them in that gown. Find the other paintings, collect favors from the remaining five kings, and save both Gaia and myself.
“Thorn’s heart cracks easily,” Talen was saying. “It wouldn’t take much.”
The oddity of the saying struck me again. I set my cup down. “I keep hearing about hearts cracking. Why do you say that?”
“This will be fun.” Odette held up a finger, stood, and smoothed her skirt as if prepared to put on a grand show. Talen rolled his eyes, but I noticed his lips twitched.
Odette’s eyes danced. “Watch. Your mortal heart is made of blood and muscle and . . . other stuff I think. But fae hearts . . .”
