Enough of the lilac scent escapes from the bath and slowly creeps its way into my lungs and disrupts my breathing. Once my shoulders start rising and air becomes harder and harder to get enough of, I dig for my spray and release two quick spritzes as I rush out of the room.
In the hall, I rest against a column and let the mixture do its job.
From afar, across a small area of grass, flowerbeds, and two benches, I spot Sky in the hall. He looks angry and argues with a figure hidden behind a pillar.
His hand grasps at the air, trying to grab whoever he argues with, but catches only air.
Moving from behind the pillar, Vera storms off angrily and wipes a hand at her face.
Coming my way, I spin along the column to face another direction. The last thing I need is to be accused of snooping on them.
Foxes spy on others, but on each other seems off limits, even if it is by accident.
Footsteps come closer and my heart races from the mixture working and the panic of coming up with an excuse when Vera finds me.
Times up, she walks past but only gets a few feet ahead before spinning.
“What are you doing?” If she had been crying, the tears are gone and sad eyes are replaced with suspicion.
“I was having trouble breathing. Just waiting for my medicinal spray to set in.” I wave the spray for extra proof.
She comes closer examining the bottle in my hands. “I saw the dress you did for me.”
She changes the subject much to my pleasure, and I ease off the column feeling back to normal. “And?”
Vera’s dress was the easiest to make. The vision for hers was so clear.
“I don’t hate it.” She remains straight-faced until one side of her mouth twitches upwards. “It might be better than I pictured. I’m sure the Prince will enjoy it.” The slight pleasure she holds vanishes, and her eyes become distant, lost to thought.
“Did he do something to you?”
Her eyes turn hollow, and she looks like a secret is on the tip of her tongue just waiting to be released, but she sucks in a breath and straightens her shoulders. “Don’t be a sucker, Ariah. It’s a role we must play. I’m sure your prince will desire something of you soon. They always do.” She moves a stray curl from in front of my eyes. “They’re always so kind at first. If he wasn’t a prince, I would have sliced off each finger, and maybe a head, or two.” Her lips curl up. “I’ve had worse though and can’t say it’s entirely without perks.”
We stand there for what feels like minutes not speaking, until the sound of voices carries to us from down the hall.
“Looks like you need to go,” Vera whispers.
Turning, I see Benny and Eli making their way past the courtyard. Probably heading back to the library.
When I look back, Vera is already gone, her figure dashing around the corner and disappearing.
The rest of the day goes slowly, granting me enough time to finish Chana’s dress.
While working, my mind replays my recent conversation with Vera. Was Prince Marcel the reason she was crying or did something exchanged between Sky and her melt some of her stony exterior?
Vera’s words echo in my mind. Iann seems kind enough, but if royals are all the same I question if Iann is as nice as he seems, or if his demeanor is just a facade.
“It’s a map.” A voice pulls me from working on alterations.
Chana walks up, not in her usual black, but instead a deep burgundy, a few shades off from black. There is a heart-shaped cutout, revealing flesh, just above her chest, and then more material around her neck. Gold beads decorate the fabric and form a belt around her waist.
“Thank you,” I tell Dara, the woman helping me with the dresses. “That will be all for today.” She nods, never speaking as usual, and takes her leave. “What’s a map?”
“The item they tossed in the bath. It’s enchanted.” Turning away from her I fix a button on Sky’s overcoat. “And I didn’t know you were allergic to lilacs.”
How long had she been watching us?
“Yes, amongst other things.” Finished with his piece for the day, I move back and examine the collection. Three pieces are nearly done with another to finish for the ball in a few short days. Turning to her, I see her inspecting the outfits. “I didn’t know you were watching us.”
