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Wrath gave her a nod. “When you and Rhiannon undergo official initiation, you will be able to move like full-blooded Fae. As we’ve said, the initiation will change both of you in ways you can only imagine. We can’t tell you everything, but that much, I assure you.”
I glanced at Rhiannon, a look of glee spreading across my face. She returned it with just as much enthusiasm. “That is awesome!”
Lainule laughed. “Oh, I wish I could stay to see what kind of courts you girls run. I know we can trust you, but in your hands—you and your cousin—Summer and Winter will never be the same.”
Rhiannon’s smile faded, as did mine. The reminder that Lainule and Wrath would be gone, forever, struck us yet once again. But then, Rhia hadn’t gotten to meet her father, and he was dead.>Cicely! Cicely! Stop! Get off this plane, now. You are in grave danger!
Ulean’s voice was urgent, but I refused to listen. And then, as I turned, looking for more prey, there was a brilliant flash—like lightning against thunderclouds—and I found myself falling, spiraling through the air, the power of the winds suddenly sucked away. Frantic, I twisted head over heels as I realized the ground would soon approach.
Shift into an owl, Cicely. Ulean was beside me, urging me to transform.
I’m still in my clothes—I can’t get them off. I’ll get tangled in them if I do.
And then, from somewhere in the distance, I heard a voice as beautiful as the night—as dark and rich and melodic as a rose garden on a summer’s evening. I couldn’t make out the words, but they were old, and vibrant, and coiled around me, and the next thing I knew, my clothes had drifted away—somehow I’d gotten them off. And I realized my free fall had slowed considerably and I was almost drifting on the breeze.
Now, shift! Don’t question it, just shift.
Without wasting time, I shifted. Arms to wings, fingers to wing feathers, body shortening, feet to talons, and then, I was aloft, pulling up and out of the spell that had kept me from crashing to the snowy ground below. I circled the tree line. We were only a short ways from the portal.
Ulean, I will fly to it, because I have no idea where my clothes are. Can you tell Grieve and Chatter so they can tell the others?
Of course, Cicely. Go now.
And so, I flew directly to the Twin Oaks, never so happy to see two trees in my life. I lightly touched down on the ground, loosing my balance on the snow, and as I transformed back, I fell forward, into the icy banks of white. I scrambled to my feet and raced for the portals. Two of the guards had sped along, and they were there. One of them handed me his cloak, without a word, affixing it around my shoulders, and they took my hands and jumped through the portal with me, back to safety.
The others made it back with no problem. Shivering, I wondered what had happened to my clothing, when Luna approached and handed me my jeans, underwear, corset, jacket, and circlet.
“I have a spell that brings things to me. I just…brought your clothes to me when Ulean whispered that you couldn’t transform because of them.” She looked pleased as punch, and I grinned at her.
“Thanks for the strip job.” I winked at her, then sobered. “Seriously, that’s a handy spell. Keep in practice. If I ever need it again when we’re out, don’t hesitate.”
She nodded. “I’m more than happy to help.”
We had a few minutes before meeting my father, so I hurried to my room and dressed again. Druise once more tightened the corset laces for me.
“Can’t we just do that and then use the busks to hook and unhook it?”
The look on her face spoke volumes. “We can, my Lady, if that’s what you choose to do. But…this is…what I do for you. I’m not sure how to be your lady’s maid, begging pardon. You don’t seem to need me.”
Feeling bad that I’d upset her, I flashed her a warm smile. “But I do, and I will more and more as time goes on. I don’t think I’ll need you quite in the ways a lot of the Queens would, but we’ll work out our pattern.” Motioning for her to sit down beside me, I waited until she uncomfortably complied. “Listen, Druise. I’m from a far different world than the life of the palace. And while I’ll adapt on some things, the Barrow will have to adapt to me on others. We’ll find a compromise that works for us both. Meanwhile, you keep doing what you do, and never fear—I like you. I’m not going to yank your job out from under you.”
She frowned for a moment, and then a smile broke through her gloom. “Thank you, Your Highness…because this position means the world to my family. It’s a step up for us—I’m the first one to stand this near to the Court.”
Then it hit me. This was how it worked here. This job wasn’t menial labor to her; it wasn’t beneath her. It was actually a boost in status and—most likely—payment to her family. And she’d been worried that I’d turn her out. And that would have been a supreme disgrace.
I patted her hand. “Druise, take heart. You’re my lady’s maid. Nobody else. As long as you are loyal to—” I started to say Grieve but stopped myself. It was time to think before I spoke. “As long as you are loyal to the King-Elect, and to me, then have no fear.”
As she dropped to her knees by my side and pressed her forehead to my hand, a soft bell chimed in the chamber. I glanced around.
“That is the summons to Court, Your Highness.” She quickly stood and stepped back, her cheeks flushed. “Are you dressed? Is there anything else you need?”
I glanced down. I was back in my jeans and corset, but my hair was a mess. “Would you mind brushing my hair again?” It would have been just as easy for me to pick up the brush, but I was starting to get it.
She beamed and motioned for me to sit at the vanity. The strokes of the brush felt good against my scalp, soothing me into a relaxed state.
Ulean swept up by my side.
Cicely, you did what you needed to in order to escape, but we have to find a way for you to control the winds. Lainule broke you out of the frenzy this time—
