I’ve known one man my entire life. A drunken, foolish mistake I made nearly three years ago. So awful and not worth the memory because I can’t even recall the poor bloke’s name, and I remember almost everything. I want to say it was Timothee…no, Thorton. Whatever it was, the two things I can’t get out of my head are the scent of strawberry wine and vomit, a sickening combination. I grimace, tossing the memory away once again.
“While this visit seems like a promising one for our kingdoms, my excitement is reserved. The former Saden king and his vile wife were responsible for the deaths of my parents. I was named the ‘Orphan Queen’ because of them.” A vein twitches in her neck. “I have no issues ending the feud, but I don’t trust anyone from Saden, especially those in line to rule the kingdom. If they are plotting against my crown, I want to know everything. You are to intercept their letters, listen in toconversations not meant for you, and drag out any possible secrets that might pose a threat to Haymel. Sky you are to tamper with their drinks and food, causing them to have looser lips. And Chana, do what you do best. Find things hidden in the shadows.” Simultaneously, we all nod. “Now, you may go and prepare for tomorrow. Everyone except Ariah.”
It isn’t until the door shuts that she moves off the steps and towards me.
“Tea.” She continues to the other end of the room and disappears behind a wall. Taking it as a command and not a question, I rush to follow.
We find ourselves in a circular room with walls made of glass, the space overlooks one of the many gardens on the property. In the center is a table, and the one wall that isn’t made of glass holds a floral print that looks overdue for a replacement.
The Queen sits and places the fox in her lap. With the slightest head flick from her, she has me rushing to my seat as she begins pouring the steaming liquid into a cup as I get comfortable.
“Cream?” She pours some into her cup and holds it up, waiting for my answer.
“Umm, yes, please.” Once the cream is in, she goes for the sugar, dropping a teaspoon in hers and then holds it out waiting for me again. “No, thank you. Not a fan of it in my tea.”
Whatever I say makes her smile. “Your mother was the same way. Said it ruined it.” There is an instant longing for home at the mention of my mother. “Tell me Ariah, how are you getting on with the other members?”
“Chana is helpful.” I blow on my tea and take a quick sip. Her eyes pierce mine, so I swallow quickly. “Sky is still a mystery and Vera is…Vera is maniacal.” I’m blunt and not sure if I went too far on the Vera part.
“Vera is fiery, which is why she’s so good at what she does. Her mother was a Fox, just like yours. Partners at one point.”
“So, I’ve been told.” Reflexively my hand goes to my throat, still feeling the bite of Vera’s blade.
“I have no doubt Vera will share the story with you at some point.” The Queen’s smile is wicked, but she lets it fade away to sip on her tea. “Anyway”—she perks up and sets her cup down— “I am here to make good on one of my promises. The ball will be a masquerade and the most important people in Haymel have been invited. Fine occasions call for fine outfits.” She pauses to butter a biscuit and admires the blissfulness beyond the glass wall. “Ariah, you are to design a dress for me to wear to the ball, as well as design one for each of the Foxes, including yourself.”
All the tea in my mouth nearly comes flying out. “Me? You want to wear something I design to the ball?”
“That was the agreement, was it not?”
“I remember. I just didn’t think…”
“That I would make good on my promise.” She bites into the biscuit, wiping away any crumbs with a napkin. “I do what I say I’m going to do, and I expect the same from others. Now, remember you are still in training, and with the princes arriving tomorrow, you will need to find time to create these pieces when you’re not busy. You start slacking and I’ll make other arrangements.” I nod, finishing up the tea in my cup. “Good. I will have Ernessa, one of my ladies-in-waiting, show you where you can find the sewing room you’ll be working in.” She picks up the teapot. Steam rolls up, and I catch her glance at me. “Don’t disappoint me.”
I might not be any good at being a Fox, but I know how to design a dress. Disappointment is something she won’t feel when she sees what I have in mind.
17
IANN
It took us a few days to travel out of the mountains, and another few days later, we ended up in a village called Foxhead.
We weren’t meant to stay in the village, but Deean ate old meat and ended up vomiting in our carriage, which had Esha vomiting with him. All of it was a hot, smelly mess. With nightfall coming it was best to get a place in town. Of course, we weren’t as welcome as we would have liked, and found ourselves without a place to sleep that night.
Thankfully, a woman overheard the innkeeper using colorful vernacular about us being Saden. Despite the many attempts to assure him we were there to end the feud, he still wasn’t accommodating. The woman, who was privy to the whole ordeal, said her name was Adreena, and she led us to her family’s home. She and her husband put us up for the night.
Having two daughters who no longer lived at home meant two available beds. Marcel, who was still annoyed with Deean, took his own bed this time while I took the other one, and Deeanwas left to sleep on the floor. The rest of the crew stayed in the carriages or in the study our hosts kindly offered.
There hadn’t been much to the room. The bed was warm and provided much more cushion than any inn we had stayed in so far. There had been a torso of a mannequin, which Deean hated, draped in an unfinished dress, along with scrapes of fabric on the floor and parchments with sketches of outfits. I assume one of the daughters must have been a seamstress or designer of sorts.
In the morning, some of Queen Cayleen’s guards came for us. They were supposed to have met us at a place called Pointers Pass but when we didn’t show they went searching.
Today, we are to finally arrive in the city that rests before the castle gates.
As we plod forward, I notice city streets are darker than the ones in Saden. Not dirty or tainted, but unlike the light neutral colors of Saden, Haymel looks like it is stuck in an eternal autumn. Deep reds, browns, and oranges run rampant along the streets and buildings. Golden flags with a black embroidered fox wearing a crown wave from every other building.
According to many stories, the Queen has an obsession with foxes, which is why our father sent us off with a golden fox to gift to her.
“You ready?” Deean asks me.
