Page 107 of The Crown’s Temptation

Mostly.

He tied his hair back with string and buttoned his shirt.

It was time for breakfast.

CHAPTER 23

Birds and Leather

After Eravic and the tunnels I was exhausted in every way. I fell into the bed without bothering to change my clothes.

The knock came early.

"Princess." Fiersa's voice. I had come to recognize it.

"Come in," I said calmly.

She held a dress in her hands and looked at me carefully. "You look tired."

"I did not sleep much." Not entirely a lie.

She handed me the dress. Dark brown leather with black straps.

"More leather," I murmured.

"You must wear leather here in Morrath. The creatures cannot tolerate it; it opposes their magic." She lowered her voice. "That is why humans are forbidden from wearing it." A pause. "You are Axar's daughter, so no one will dare question⁠—“

"Adjasar," I said before she could say anything else.

She smiled faintly. "Practically the same thing."

I disagreed but said nothing.

“He is your Adjasar,” she continued. "And you are royalty. And not entirely human given the Alarnan lightcraft. No one will begrudge you leather. But know that some creatures will resent you for it."

I sighed. "Let them resent me then." Before I had been mildly annoyed at having to wear more leather. Now that I knew what it meant to the creatures here I was eager to put it on.

Since awakening, there was something I found mildly enjoyable about irritating those I had no reason to care about.

I started coughing before I could say anything else. Fiersa brought me a basin.

“I did not cough at all last night,” I said. “Maybe the treatment is starting to work.”

“Maybe,” Fiersa said.

Another knock. Before I could say enter, Dali opened the door and stood beside me. She arched an eyebrow at Fiersa. "You can leave, little bird."

I was briefly confused. In truth I had forgotten what sort of creature Fiersa was. Maybe it was something bird-like. Either way I was unsure if Dali had insulted her or not.

Regardless, this was my palace to princess in.

I was a Rathmor, after all.

"I dismiss my own people," I said sharply.

Dali laughed lightly. "What we need to discuss must be private, my princess."

I turned to Fiersa. "I am fine."