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She immediately bowed her head, audibly swallowing before apologizing. “I’m sorry for letting my tongue go, your…highness. Please forgive me.”
It was a weak apology at best, but I didn’t want the bitchy dwarf to lose her head on my behalf.
“I’ll forgive it once. You won’t be given any more chances.”
She nodded so vigorously she resembled a bobblehead. I sank my teeth into my lower lip to stop myself from laughing.
“Would you like me to bring in the gowns now? The ones in the closet weren’t a good fit for this.”
“Go ahead.”
She took off for the door, and I swung my legs over the side of the bed. I guess I was going to the Council.
“We have a pale blue and a pastel yellow today. Both are A-line styled, sequined at the top, with a light tulle skirt as the heat index has risen since last night.”
“The yellow,” I voiced quickly with barely a glance at the other. Yellow made me think of the sun—and home.
“Excellent choice. Now, if you want to get showered, there’s one more thing I need to grab.”
I nodded, shooing her off and making my way to the bathroom.
My shower was quick but efficient. When I was finished with the basics, I slipped into the gown and waited for Edna’s return.
When she entered my room again, there was a frilly box in her hands.
“This is just a placeholder until the ceremony, but Sire agreed it was necessary.”
She placed the box in my hands and then stepped back with an expectant look on her face. I lifted the lid, clamping my fingers around its silken rim as I stared down at a princess crown of gold.
“I think you will do it more than enough justice,” Edna said softly, sounding much friendlier than before.
Lifting the object, I eyed the tiny rubies engraved on the ends no one would see, the Purgatory color of burgundy.
Across the room, my broken crown screamed betrayal.
I wanted to launch this new piece of metal at the wall, but that went against my new resolve and, to do this correctly, my emotions were irrelevant.
I placed the golden crown upon my head, expelling a breath of perseverance and heartbreak.
I sat in my same chair from the night before, trying to ignore Scarlett’s and a few other supes’ gawking. Reyes, his brothers, and many of their advisors were absent. This wasn’t unusual; as king, he would have a tightly run schedule.
“How long are you going to keep that up?”
“I can’t believe how shiny it is,” she replied, almost admirably.
“You know I’ve had one of these before, right? I still have it, actually.”
“Not like this,” Jacinda mouthed, signing along. “I like the other better,” she added loyally.
I smiled at her, genuinely. I was more than happy she was still her, shining even in the midst of all this and healthier than ever before.
But what was the cost?
Nothing came for free in our world, and every day brought her nearer to her claiming.
Scarlett’s brazen eyes darted around the room before she leaned in, chewing a piece of fruit.
“You look as if you have a plan.”
I did in a roundabout way, but it wasn’t something I dared share with her. She was one of my dearest friends, but as last night had confirmed, things were different now.
It mattered little if I trusted her or not; trust was no longer a luxury I could afford. I simply smiled and shrugged it off, giving an answer that wasn’t a lie.
“There’s no plan. I just intend to play the game as best I can.”
“Game?” Jacinda mouthed, cocking her head to the side.
“Back-stabbing, murder, and sex. She’s talking about the game of politics,” Scarlett answered. To me, she said, “I’m in.”
Now that was a little surprising.
“You?”
“Why would you think I wouldn’t be? It’s court life—and if there is one thing I do very well, it's dabbling in politics.” She flipped her mahogany hair over her shoulder dramatically, unintentionally revealing the coal black mark that traveled to hidden places beneath her bustier.
“This isn’t at all how it seems. I—”
“Stop, don’t do that.” I stared down at the table, gathering my thoughts. “If you have feelings for him, then you can’t help your heart.
I only ask you to understand that as much as I love you, my duty as queen will always come first.”
“Your parents would be proud,” she mumbled. “I understand, but I’m still sorry.”
I nodded and rose from the table, catching Dylan’s opal eyes as I did. He mouthed the word, Later.
My head was slightly bobbing again. I looked away from him when he moved to take position behind me. What looked like remorse was reflected in his gaze. I didn’t want it—or pity.
The truth of the matter was that my parents had very little to be proud of right now. All I could was my best from here on out. As for matters of the heart, that was just another luxury I wasn’t afforded.
