Warna’s merchant soul rose up within her. “Its maker resides in Tassinic,” she whispered. “Send word to me there, and I’ll pass on her name.”
The faella gave her a grateful look, and Warna continued on, following the handmaiden through large double doors. Only to find herself in a large room, as large as any ballroom she’d ever seen in her picture books.
At the far wall was a single throne, capped with a cloth of gold that shimmered under the light of a thousand candles. Before the throne, spread out in a fan pattern, were delicate white chairs, each with a tiny table beside it, each set with a white cup and saucer.
“Private tea?” Warna muttered under her breath.
The handmaiden led the way to the chair facing the throne, almost isolated from its neighbors. “I bid you welcome in Queen Blesenthala’s name.”
“I thank you,” Warna replied, settling carefully in her chair. All she could do was fold her hands in her lap and wait.
The room filled, each faella taking her chair, sitting with perfect posture and composure, looking more like perfect painted dolls than living beings.
The cup and saucer caught Warna’s eye, startling in their whiteness, of porcelain so fine she swore she could see through it. She’d love to own such a pretty thing, but right now she had but one thought:Lord of Light, Lady of Laughter,don’t let me drop it.
The stir behind her finally stopped and a hush fell over the room as the doors were closed. Once all was silent, with each lady facing the throne, the doors opened again, and Queen Blesenthala swept in, and to her throne.
Warna rose with the others, and curtsied, careful not to let her skirts knock over the tiny table.
“Ladies, and Warna of Farentell, you are most welcome,” Queen Blesenthala cooed, settling herself on her throne. Her dress was a vivid pink, making her the rose in the garden. “Let us refresh ourselves with tea and conversation.
“Warna, you are a delightful surprise this day, and we extend our greetings to you,” the Queen continued. “Verice has been invited by the King to the Ceremonies of the Bedchamber. He is to place the pillows on the King’s bed. A singular honor.”
“Your Majesties are both so kind,” Warna murmured, after it seemed that the Queen was expecting a response.
The Queen tilted her head gracefully to a footman off to the side, and servers flooded into the room, each carrying pots of tea held in towels.
“Verice is held in high regard here,” Queen Blesenthala responded. “And we honor his choice of betrothal.” She watched as her tea was poured, steaming, into the cup.
“An odd choice, of course,” the Queen continued. “Humans are like flowers that bloom only to wither away so quickly. A brief moment in time.”
“But, Your Majesty,” Warna sent a mental apology toward Verice. “While it blooms, it is cherished all the more for the briefness of its beauty.” She watched as the servant poured her cup of tea. “One treasures the time one is given.”
Queen Blesenthala had lifted her saucer, her cup poised before her lips. “Well spoken,” she said with a lift of her cup. “Shall we drink?”
Everyone else had claimed their cup and saucer. Warna lifted hers as well. She paused as the steam brought a flowery scent to her nostrils. “May I ask, what flavor is this?”
“Hibiscus,” Queen Blesenthala hid her smile behind her cup. “My favorite.”
No, it wasn’t. Warna recognized the scent. It was gwenwyth tea.
‘Your pardon, lady,” Aeric had said. “but me mum was full human, and while she liked the taste, it gave her the flux something fierce.’
The cup poised, Warna froze, staring at the Queen as the Queen stared back. The steam rose, the cup warm beneath her fingers, and yes, she could see them through the thin white porcelain.
Warna narrowed her eyes, hoping against hope that her thoughts were reflected in her eyes.‘You think humans are delicate little flowers in your garden, don’t you?’Warna thought. ‘Well, guess what, bitch—’
She drank the entire cup, setting it softly back on its saucer.
‘We are not.’
Chapter Forty-Five
Verice had the honor of placing the first pillow, and was smoothing the top when there was a flurry of movement and raised voices at the door to the King’s Bedchamber.
It would never do to have the ceremony disrupted, so Verice finished his task, and stepped back to allow the next ridiculous step to occur in this foolish ceremony.
Until he heard Warna’s name in the talk.
