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“A little magic isn’t the same as the power I need to wield.” I glanced down at the steam rising from my cup, enjoying the way it warmed my cheeks. “Coating the floor with ice so Preston and Nerissa might slip isn’t going to stop their death magic from wreaking havoc on our people.”
Aspen dipped her head. “True, but the fact that you can command a little power now even when in contact with the forget-me-nots is unheard of for pure-blooded fae. Before, you managed to wield powerful magic when your life was under threat, and you hadn’t consumed or been in contact with the flowers for several hours. Imagine what you’ll do today—not only with the message you’ll send in that gown—but also with the need to strike back and save lives.”
I traced the lip of my mug with one finger. Aspen and I had discussed many outcomes before, yet I still couldn’t help but ask the question again. “Do you think Preston and Nerissa would ever abdicate, or will we be forced to kill them?”
When I glanced at her, Aspen’s expression was tight. “Don’t feel any remorse or guilt for them, Ren. If they force us to end their bloody reign with more death, then so be it. They have killed so many. They have done so much to hurtyou.”
I lifted my chin. “I’m not afraid. I’ve killed to protect Garrick, and I’d kill to save you too. You’re a good friend, Aspen. And I’d kill to save any other innocent person they tried to attack. I won’t hesitate if it comes to that. I just...” I frowned. “I wonder if killing them will make our future path much harder. The fae that support their rule will hate us even more if we slay their king and queen.”
“I’m afraid you’ll have resistance no matter what you do, with Silverfrost prejudice against humans ingrained so deeply. But you won’t be alone. I’ll be happy to stay by your side as an advisor, as long as you need me, and all my rebels would be proud to serve you.”
“Thank you.” I swallowed. “I suppose this is it then. The beginning.”And not an end,I prayed.
Aspen’s smile was radiant. “A wonderful beginning.”
Though it was only midday, the clouds had gathered in a thick blanket to stifle the sunlight and make it as dark as a gloomy evening. I sat quietly before my vanity, trying to ignore the glazed look in my maid’s eyes as she brushed through the long strands of my hair, leaving it to hang loose over my shoulders.
When she stepped back at last, I drew a deep breath and rose, crossing over to the full-length mirror in the corner of my room. I stared, taking in the effect of the ballgown gracing my form for the first time. Silver glitter dusted my eyelids, matching both my hair and the glistening strands in my dress. The sleeves were long and delicate, while the neckline dipped below my collarbones in a fae style without feeling immodest by humanfashion standards. The skirts and bodice were full of stunning details, crafted with the fabric I’d found in Juniper’s shop and rippling with veins of silver and blue and violet, as well as bits of decorative black lace. And over all of it, enchanted with an elixir Aspen had concocted so their brittle, dried petals would not disintegrate and scatter, were sewn forget-me-nots.
From my sleeves to my bodice to my skirts, the blue flashed proudly everywhere. Stunning. Elegant. And the perfect message to Preston and Nerissa as well as the rest of the court and every ball attendee from Northelm: I would not be controlled, and my magic would not be contained. I was powerful, strong enough to withstand the forget-me-nots’ influence. Strong enough to withstandthem.
Turning, I glanced over my shoulder to study the low dip of my dress in the back, revealing the Stormclaw emblem carved into my skin as well as the scars from the demon attack.
I couldn’t help the grin that curved my lips. I was ready.
A knock on the door had me turning, my pulse racing with anticipation. I couldn’t help it. Knowing Garrick was my usual escort and guard, I couldn’t wait to see his reaction to my gown. Couldn’t wait to have even a few minutes alone with him. Even if his mind wasn’t his own and the siblings controlled him, I knew I would draw comfort from his steady presence. I knew even if they forced him to fight on their side today, he was with Aspen and me.
After today, if all went well, he would be free of them. Never forced to be someone else’s pawn again.
When I turned, I was surprised to find I’d been so consumed in studying my dress that I hadn’t even heard the maids file out, leaving me alone. I stepped forward hopefully as I watched the knob turn.
Yet when the door opened, it wasn’t Garrick, but Preston who stepped inside. My stomach soured as his red eyes scanned me from head to toe, his nostrils flaring with annoyance.
“What is this?” he asked, his voice deadly quiet.
I lifted my chin defiantly. “My ballgown.” Ignoring the way my blood throbbed in my ears, I swept toward the door, eager to leave my chambers and avoid being alone with the king for a moment longer.
As I tried to push past him, Preston reached for my arm, pulling back at the last moment with a hiss when he realized he couldn’t grasp me without touching the forget-me-nots gracing my sleeve. I resisted the urge to grin in triumph as I opened the door and slipped out into the hall. The guards saluted as Preston trailed me.
He cornered me halfway down the hall, seizing me by the hair, where there was no danger of brushing against a petal, and roughly shoving me into a dark alcove. A marble statue of an old fae queen, her smile cruel and arrogant, leered down at us. “Your presence at this ball is meant to rally confidence in your magical abilities,” Preston snapped. “So what is this foolish display? Why would you cripple yourself?”
My eyes watered as I struggled against him, trying to wrench my hair free. “Don’t you know?” I gritted out. “Human blood isn’t affected by the flowers the way fae blood is.”
Preston’s eyes narrowed as he jerked my head back, forcing me to meet his gaze. “If you don’t obey...”
I swallowed, my words coming out bitter. “I know, you’ll punish me, because I ‘belong to you.’”
“No,” Preston snapped, leaning closer. Cold air enveloped me. When he ran an icy finger down my face, I shuddered. “I’ll punish your wolf.”
He released me abruptly, causing me to stumble. “Let’s go.” He stormed down the hallway, and I did my best to keep up.
Strains of music as instruments were tuned and the gentle rumble of conversation and laughter hit me before we rounded the final corner to the ballroom entrance. Beyond the double doors, servants milled about on a balcony overlooking the space, where countless candles flickering in chandeliers and candelabras cast a warm glow on everything. A wide staircase carpeted in blue and silver stretched down to the polished ballroom floor. Tiny sprites darted above the larger fae guests, their lights adding to the magical radiance of the night as they twirled through the air, moving to their own silent music. Glittering silver garlands, blue ribbons, and stunning bouquets of fresh white roses—gathered from I-knew-not-where—all added to the warmth of the party. It was a little jolting to take in, given the circumstances. Preston and Nerissa were the last people I would imagine hosting such an inviting party, but then again, hadn’t the would-be assassin accused them of extravagance and waste?
Perhaps this wasn’t only a way for them to enjoy excess, but also a means of providing a distraction. A garish celebration to celebrate me, Silverfrost’s savior, and to lull both the court and citizens from Northelm into a false sense of security, even as men and women were dying in battle against Ashwood. Even as Ashwood was invading our kingdom, pressing ever closer to the capital.
One of the servants posted near the doors dipped into a low bow at the sight of Preston and me before announcing us. “King Preston and his fiancée, Florentia Silverfrost!”
I forced a smile on my face as I stepped forward at Preston’s side. He refused to take my arm to escort me, avoiding the forget-me-nots. Instead, he seized my hand, his grip sharp and painful as he guided me toward the steps. My eyes swept the ballroom below, snagging on Nerissa, who was clothed in frothy layers of silver and blue, and then finding Garrick standingstiffly nearby. As at the last celebration, he was clothed in leather and a fur-lined vest, as if Nerissa refused to let him wear finer attire. Despite his status as her betrothed, it seemed she wanted everyone to forever remember that he was beneath her, a servant. Her hunter. And yet, the leather and fur complimented him perhaps better than anything else could. In the glow of the candles and the sprites’ flashing lights, his gold eyes were rich and warm and striking. His muscular figure might have been tall and imposing to others, but to me, the mere sight of him was a reminder of the reassurance and safety he offered me.
