Avlynshrugged their shoulders, “Whatdid you expect, the skulls of our enemies?”Acrossfrom us, another set of double doors opened into the throne room.Itwas long, but at the far end,Icould see theDragonKing’sseat.Thefar wall had been left raw, the hexagonal basalt columns seen on the coast left bare, and the king’s throne had been carved directly from the rock.
Buta pair of feet running towards us at high speed had me turning, my body automatically going into a defensive stance.ButIwas greeted by a kind, round face and golden eyes.Alovely half-fae woman rushed towards us, her dress held up in the front so that she didn’t trip.Herears were pointed, but not as long as my own, and they popped out between the waves of her caramel-brown hair, which was pulled back into a low bun.
“CommanderAvlyn,Ididn’t think you would return so soon.Ihaven’t finished preparing the room.”
Avlyngave the woman a warm smile, “Ciara, you are looking even more lovely thanIremember.Sucha welcome sight to these fae eyes after such a long, very dangerous journey.”TheyliftedCiara’shand and placed a light kiss onCiara’sknuckles.Shamelessflirt.Isaw color rise toCiara’scheeks, but she controlled it quickly and turned to me with a deep, well-practiced curtsy.
“YourHighness, my name isCiara, and will be your handmaiden during your stay at the castle.”Iwas taken aback.I’dhad a few women to tend to me inNiata, butIhadn’t expected that treatment here.Whatdid you expect?Isuppose it wouldn’t have been very good optics to keep the visiting princess locked up in the dungeon.So,Isupposed we would be going with the charade thatIwas an invited guest.
“Apleasure to meet you,LadyCiara.”Igave her a slight bow of my head, as was appropriate.Shebeamed at me, “It’sjustCiara,YourHighness.Ifyou would give me just a bit longer,Iwill have your room prepared.”
“Noneed for that,Ciara, the princess here will certainly help you finish the preparations.”
Hereyebrows shot up, “Oh, no.Icouldn’t possibly–”
“Iwould be delighted to join you.”Imotioned for her to lead the way.Hereyebrows stayed raised, but she turned and led me up a side flight of stairs.
“Iexpect you to behave,Princess,”Avlyncalled after me.
“Anythingfor you,Commander,”Ithrew back, blowing them a kiss.IsworeIsawAvlyn’seyes reach the back of their head.Theymotioned for two guards to follow us.So, the charade began.
Ciaraled me through the halls, her soft voice chatting about a few of the tapestries and other things, butIwasn’t listening.Iwas memorizing our path, looking down halls and out windows to keep my bearings.Weseemed to be heading to the eastern wing of the castle, we had reached the third floor whenCiaraopened a door into a fine room.
Itwas actually larger than my room back home inNiata, with windows that looked out over the sea and the city.Nobalcony, asIwas sure a deliberate choice, andIwould have wagered a great sum that my windows wouldn’t open.Buta large bed lined in cream and tan linens faced the windows, and a small vanity sat off to the side.Whilethe bed was freshly made,Icould see that many of the pillows had been pulled off the couches in the seating area, and the armoire was wide open.Severalcrates lay on the floor near it.
Ciaraquickly started fluffing the pillows and replacing them on the couches, andIopened up the nearest crate.Noneof my things had been brought fromNiata, not the number one priority when one was being taken from their home.However,Ihad expected to find the traditional heavily patterned wide-sleeved robes and decorative belts of home.Thatis not whatIfound.
Thecrates were overflowing with fine silks and other light fabrics, each gleaming like precious jewels turned liquid.Ilifted the top one out.Itwas full-length with long sleeves, made of beautiful silk that transitioned between white and silver like a pearl asIheld it to the light that streamed through the windows.Butit was also very obvious the light passed directly through it, andIhad no doubt that effect would hold while worn.Aquick look told me all the other dresses were the same.Ciarahad come over to me, her eyes caught on the lovely dress.
“Thiscolor will suit you beautifully,YourHighness,” she reached out as if she meant to run her fingers along the fabric, then thought better of it. “Perhapsthis one for the gala tonight?”
Myheart stuttered.Agala?Tonight?Ciaramotioned to the open armoire, pulling the dress from me and hanging it so that the fabric could release any wrinkles, “Wouldyou choose your underlayer?”Despitemy anxiety about that evening,Ireleased a sigh of relief.Yesof course there would be another layer under the sheer gown.
Iturned to the armoire, and my anxiety ratcheted back up.Therewere no slips or underlayersIcould see.Onlysets and sets of underwear, each seeming to be tinier than the next.Theywere all beautifully made, with layers of fine laces and some even lined with jewels and pearls, or intricate patterns of straps, but their loveliness only set my mind racing.
Ofcourse,Ihad seen garments like this before.Inmy misguided youth,Ihad traveled to the midnight sectors of our city with the young soldiers, trying to prove thatIwas not some simpering princess.Igroaned at my younger self, and the things she thought would impress others.Thewomen there who sold their bodies wore outfits like this on the street, luring the gaze of men and women alike, and oftentimes much more.Inmy youth, those visits had always made me feel so uncomfortable, pitying the women in those situations, assuming they knew no better.Luckily,Ihad come to learn much in my time since then.Mostlythat these situations were never so black and white.Whilesome women were coerced into these situations, many of them chose it, and they held great power over themselves and the people they undressed for.
Infact, asIhad started to be more involved in our court itself,Ihad learned that many of our best spies were these denizens ofMidnightStreet, seducing secrets from clients without leaving any marks, unlike the less subtle methods of the soldiers.Ifound myself studying these methods and after some practice, and the company of several willing participants, had gotten quite good at it myself.IfIwas being honest,Ihad quite enjoyed it.
“Everythingalright,YourHighness?”Imust have been standing there for quite a while, lost in my thoughts, forCiarahad sidled up to me without my notice.
“I’mjust not used to the fashion here.”Shegave me a kind smile and turned to the wardrobe.
“Theking made sure you had the finest and newest fashions available.”Thethought of the king helping in the selection of these salacious gowns had my stomach in knots.Shereached in and pulled out a set made of white lace and lined with pearls that shone just like the fabric of the dress.Iwas grateful, because by comparison, they were modest.Ilooked at her well-worn linen dress and apron with envy, butIknew the power embracing this would give me.Modestywas just another cage placed on women by men who feared they might realize that power.Itwas time to put all that practice to good use.
Chapter15
Tori
CiaraandIhad finished putting everything away, and she had drawn me a bath, which after weeks on a boat with nothing but sweaty soldiers sounded divine.Iwas about to pull off my filthy leather leggings when a knock sounded at my door.Iopened it to findAvlynas they dumped an armload of books on me.
“Somelight reading for you.”
Istaggered asItried to right the unbalanced stack, “Lightindeed.”Imanaged to dump them all on my bed before they fell to the floor.Iturned and sawAvlyneyeing the dress thatCiarahad laid out for me.
“So,Ciaratold you about tonight?”
“Iknow there is a gala, that’s about it.”
