I scrubbed the dirt and blood from my skin and unfolded the garment Ferris had given me.
It was not a dress. These were shatterblade robes.
A smile threatened to cross my lips. That annoying rogue was trying to worm his way into my good graces.
And it was working.
I pulled on the soft white pants and dark blue robes before tying my sword belt around my waist. A knock sounded at my door, and I called for them to enter.
Ferris stepped inside, already changed into a prince’s garb. He wore a silver doublet embroidered with patterns of leaves, and a forest green cloak with a high collar—the colors of Aenir.
“Surprised?” He smirked, brushing back a stray curl.
“Admittedly.” I stepped in front of the mirror. “I’m not sure it’s appropriate for a royal wedding, though.”
“That’s where I come in,” he said. He stood behind me and gathered my hair into his hands.
I shivered and clenched my fists.
“Something wrong?” He breathed.
I couldn’t be sure, but it sounded like he was flirting with me again.
“I can do my own hair,” I said.
“I’ve seen what you can do, and it leaves much to be desired.” Ferris tutted, twisting my hair into a braid.
Twisting my neck, I tried to fight off the tingling sensation that danced where he touched me. I might have known nothing of romance, but I knew why my heart had thundered the night he’d comforted me after my nightmare.
Why I felt so nervous, now.
No, no, no. What was wrong with me?
Ferris tied off the braid and tucked a deep blue flower through the strands. He laid it over my shoulder and regarded my appearance in the mirror.
“Perfect.” He smiled.
Gritting my teeth, I forced myself not to look back at him. His hand slowly slipped from my hair and lingered on my shoulder. My breath caught as he traced his hands toward my bare neck. If our skin brushed . . .
Reese’s cat plodded through the door, bringing a Paragon with him. Agendra tapped on the doorframe, knocking. “Are you two ready?”
“Yes,” I blurted out, ripping away from Ferris to follow Agendra.
The Paragon glanced between us, but said nothing. He led me through the dark halls to the spiral stairs wrapping aroundthe building. We ascended to the final level, where our horses were waiting, already sent up by the elevator.
I expected another lavish hall, but there was only a barren room up here. Black stone walls set with wide mirrors peered down onto the lake and village, reminding me of the dizzying height we stood at.
Four archways were mounted to the southern wall, but they seemed pointless. Each looked onto black stone, leading nowhere. I approached one and passed a hand through the wooden arch to see if a hidden wall lay behind it.
My fingers touched stone.
“What are these?” I asked.
Agendra nodded at the tips of the arches. “See those? That’s our ride to the wedding.”
A gem was mounted into each arch—a sapphire, ruby, emerald, and topaz stone.
“We’re headed to northern Aenir.” Agendra guided his horse to the arch set with the emerald. “We’ll be taking this one.” He straightened his back. “Cimnich de ar vaile,” his voice boomed.
