Page 58

I can’t move my legs because I’m too confused, and the woman stares around the room. “Who are you?”

“She’s my aide,” Corvin announces matter-of-factly, which tells me nothing.

So I approach her. “Hi there, I’m Dawn.”

“Don’t waste your breath,” he states. “She’s not a living being. They reincarnate them, usually from a recently deceased, for service, and she’s ordered to only do as I instruct her.”

“Eww, she’s a walking corpse?” And it makes me wonder if that’s where he’s been for the past two days, with his aide, seeing as she does anything he tells her.

He stares down at me as if he’s reading my mind and narrows his gaze. “You have a filthy mind. Now, go and get ready. My aide will remain in your room in case anyone checks, pretending to be you.”

My mouth drops open. “Are you joking? She looks nothing like me.”

“Lights will be dim, and no one will notice the difference.” He shrugs as though he’s got this all mapped out in his head.

“So you honestly think that’s how I look?” I shouldn’t let it bother me, but both he and Lian really get under my skin.

Then that devious mouth slowly tugs upward at the corners. “Dawn, you are much lovelier. Does that make you feel better?”

I give him a deadpan stare, to which he chuckles, and I start to realize that both monsters are beyond annoying. Lian might be the flirty one who pushes my buttons, but Corvin is domineering and a lot more dangerous. He plans for things, while Lian just dives in headfirst. Maybe things would be more equal if Kazak were here on my side instead of in the dungeon.

“So, what’s the plan in the city?” I finally ask. “A special event?”

He combs his hand through his messy hair, which just tumbles back over his thick eyebrows.

“I figured you’d be getting stir-crazy as we wait for the king, and you might want to explore the city for a while. You won’t be disappointed.”

“In truth, I was just going to crash tonight and stare at the sunset. But thanks.”

“Nope, we’re heading out. So either go and get changed, or I’ll do it for you,” he warns with a deepening grin. “You can’t be seen in the city in wrinkled, faded clothes.”

I roll my eyes at him for starting to convince me, because it would be nice to see the place everyone used to gossip about back in Moonstone Village.

“Personally, I think I look fine as I am,” I answer, glancing down at my gray village slacks and loose shirt.

He gives me a hard stare, gaze sliding from head to toe, and not in an admiring way. “There’s etiquette in the city that everyone must oblige.”

I exhale a loud huff. “Why would you care if I saw the city or not? You’re taking me to your father to die anyway.” And I intend to escape from him and Lian once Kazak is at my side. He made it super clear that I won’t be accepted in any other village, and living outside them is dangerous, so I need Kazak’s help. Except, in hindsight, perhaps studying the city might not be such a bad idea after all.

Corvin steals the distance between us with two strides. “Do you truly believe that? And you have no desire to learn where you’re from, who your family is?”

“The bloodline that was killed by your family, for all I know?” I would love to learn about my real family, though part of me wonders if it’ll be less painful if I don’t. Thinking about my father rescuing me is heartbreaking, and I’ve already lost my adoptive parents. Am I ready to mourn for a family I don’t remember? To be reminded that I lost everyone who loved me is depressing.

“Don’t be so fast to judge,” Corvin murmurs, drawing me out of my thoughts. “Not all in Grimvale wanted your family eradicated. There will be justice for their loss, I promise you.”

I pause, drawing my lower lip between my teeth, not expecting him to stand up for my family.

“Now, move,” he says, sweeping his hand toward my bedroom.

“All right, fine.” I head into my room and shut the door before opening the wardrobe. I hear him muttering commands to his aide while I scan the array of dresses Insy brought me yesterday. I dig around for anything plain and comfortable, which I discover doesn’t exist. So I settle on a champagne-colored dress. It has thin straps, a plunging V-neckline, and a golden belt that cinches around my waist. I start undressing, including my underwear, and opt for one of the thin panties. Surprisingly, they’re comfortable, even if they do ride up my backside. I step into the dress and slide it up my body, the fabric smooth and soft against my skin. No bra is required, and as I tighten the belt, I step in front of the mirror to notice that the dress has a long slit at the front of one leg, revealing way too much skin.

But once again, the girl staring back at me from the mirror looks nothing like me. I quickly sweep my hair up and use several pins to keep it off my neck. Then I loosen a few wisps around my face and smile at myself.

It’s incredible how much a dress can change my appearance. Next, I select the glass-like shoes. They have the lowest heel, with a wedge shape, and feel comfortable.

A knock comes at the bedroom door. “Dawn, ready?”

“Almost done. Is Lian coming too?” I call out as I do a final twist in front of the mirror in the corner of the room.