What in the realms have I done now?“Yes, Father?”
“You didn’t drink your tonic.”
I glance down at the table, and sure enough, the golden elixir remains full next to my plate. I’ve been taking it every day for as long as I can remember. Father once explained that after my affliction made itself known as a child, I was prescribed the daily dose of nutrients to keep me healthy and strong. Distracted by his upcoming nuptials, I completely forgot to drink it.
“Thanks,” I reply before knocking back the sweet, citrus-flavored tonic.
His nod is dismissal enough, and I make my escape. My embroidery project is calling my name.
A tiny bit of guilt at not informing Father about the masked man pricks at my conscience, but it was clear he no longer wished to be disturbed. I can always tell him later . . .
I wander to the cozy sitting room in the center of our manor. I like to think of it as mine, as it’s my safe haven filled with all my favorite things. A fire is already burning in the hearth, and the soft glow of the lamps brightens the space as much as it can in a windowless room. Bookshelves span two of the walls, and I briefly consider pulling out one of my favorite tomes until I spot my unfinished project waiting for me on the small table next to my favorite chaise.
Kicking off my slippers, I curl my feet up under me and reach for the needlepoint. The project features a mountainous island with a bright yellow sun blazing in the corner. I’m in the middle of adding a lion with golden eyes creeping out of the emerald jungle and have been itching to finish it. Where the idea for my art comes from, I’m not entirely sure. Sometimes, it feels as if my fingers have a mind of their own as I create little vignettes of places I have never seen before. Because of my affliction, travel is quite challenging, and I find myself confined to our manor a majority of the time.
Massaging the back of my neck with one hand, I groan as I stretch my feet out in front of me. A soft knock followed by the creak of the door grabs my attention.
“Sorry to bother you, Raelyn.” Sera, my lady’s maid and my only true friend, pokes her blonde head in. “Lady Carlisle will be arriving soon.”
“Oh hells!” I jump out of my seat. “Where did all the time go?”
I didn’t even realize how late it was, and my stomach starts to growl.
Sera shrugs sheepishly. “You do get so engrossed in your projects. One might almost think you were a vampire with how you hide away in here all day.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Sera.” I laugh. “Vampires aren’t real.”
She raises a delicate brow, her violet eyes sparkling with mischief. “Maybe not in this realm.”
Trying to ignore her implication and the nagging memory of the drop of blood I tasted the night before, I continue, “I’m almost done with this one, and I like to finish once I really get into it.”
A knowing smile on her face, she shoos me toward the back staircase. “Your soon-to-be stepmother will be here any moment. You need to get dressed!”
I can’t stop my eye roll and exaggerated sigh as I trudge toward the stairs. “What’s wrong withthisdress?”
“Come now,my lady,” she drawls sarcastically. “You know better than to ask. Your father wants everything to be perfect for his new bride. We’ve been re-polishing the silver all day.”
Rolling my aching shoulders back, I march up the stairs to my rooms. I don’t always bother changing into an evening gown for dinner, and Father usually lets it go, but I have a feeling Sera is right that it wouldn’t go over well tonight.
I breeze in and make straight for the dressing room. My favorite lavender evening gown catches my eye, and I pull it off the hanger.
“Let me,” Sera demands, reaching for it.
“I am perfectly capable of getting myself dressed.”
She motions for me to turn around, and I do so begrudgingly.
“That explains the mismatched buttons I’m looking at,” Sera says smugly as she unfastens my dress.
I throw my hands up. “What do you expect when there are hundreds of those tiny things?”
She chuckles. “That’s what I’m here for. It’s a wonder your father didn’t have me dismissed for not attending to you this morning—clearly evident by your disheveled state.”
I frown. “Wherewereyou? I was rudely awoken by Erika and Chess.”
Sera’s fingers freeze on my lower back for a moment before she continues, “I’m afraid I woke up feeling quite ill this morning. I overslept . . . I promise it won’t happen again.”
My dress falls to the ground, and I turn, taking one of Sera’s hands in mine. “Please don’t feel bad. It sounds like Father has been working you all extra hard lately. Are you sure you’re all right? I truly can manage to get myself dressed.”
