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"That I am." I smiled back, though I didn't feel like it.
He held his hands behind his back and stepped closer, appraising me. The pewter-colored suit he was wearing mainly seemed to consist of a jacket, since it was obvious he was wearing nothing underneath it but a waistcoat, and matching pants. There was metalwork on top of the jacket that added some filigree to it along with a mostly decorative pauldron that ran along his shoulder and upper arm.
All of it worked with a piece around his neck that almost resembled a collar of sorts, though it was clearly part of the suit. A metallic brooch was pinned across two pieces of fabric that made up the neck. It matched a piece that was down by his hip acting as a thick, multilayered belt around the suit itself. Clearly the man was well off. Or maybe I was wrong and this was just what fae wore to go to the market.
"I'm your escort for this evening. My name is Lord Dastesci. I serve on the fae council and am dedicated to the king and queen of the Moonlit Court. Tonight will be an event for both courts, but please remember that you are also considered a member of the Moonlit Court and should be careful when interacting with members of the Sunkissed Court." If I hadn't heard the warning in his words then the one on his face would have spoken loud and clear.
"I appreciate you letting me know, my Lord." I dipped my head again for good measure.
He seemed to relax slightly as I looked back up, his shoulders loosened just a fraction. It made me wonder if he had expected me to be difficult and contrary. Another congenial smile crossed his lips before he said, "If you would do me the honor of allowing me to accompany you."
The words should have been a question, but as he held his arm out we both knew that there was no way for me to refuse. I slid my hand onto his forearm in a way I hoped was respectable and as he turned slightly he clasped his other hand over my own. "This will all be over soon," he murmured under his breath.
I couldn't tell if the words were meant for me or for himself. Either way, I couldn't help but hope that the statement was true.
Chapter
Seventeen
Senara
We stood in front of some double doors and waited. They clearly weren’t just any double doors given the ornate carvings and gold and silver touches here and there.
"We will be announced soon. Be patient." His words only made me more impatient. Anxiety crawled over my skin like ants over a log.
From the other side of the door I heard a gong sound and then they swung slowly open. It was like I was being bathed in a brand new light, one I had never experienced before, or maybe it was just the intensity of the gazes that landed on me.
For a moment I couldn’t quite make out the fact that there were tens, maybe hundreds, of different people in there, all looking at me. About all I could make out was a sea of silver and gold hair, all of varying shades from a bluish-silver to an umber-gold.
Lord Dastesci stepped forward and tugged me along with him. I wasn’t used to walking in heels, so they had given me flats otherwise I would have probably tripped and embarrassed the man who was escorting me. Not that I really cared, but he certainly did.
We walked along the path of carpet that the gathered crowd was clearly staying off of and approached a large, regal looking area. It was swathed in a curtain and for a moment I thought we’d just arrived at the back of the room and were stuck standing there.
The curtain was drawn back revealing the king and queen. Based on their outfits and crowns I had to assume that they were just king and queen of the Moonlit Court.
The king held a scepter that had a large milky blue crystal at the top and a crown to match. The silver circlet had branches coming up and off it like tree branches reaching toward the sun. In the middle, right over his forehead, sat two jewels, one of which was the same milky blue as his scepter and the other which was the dark blue of a sapphire. Pearls and smaller sapphires dotted the branches of the crown making the whole thing look breathtaking. The queen wore something similar, just a little smaller.
I’d never seen a king and queen that looked quite so much like a king and queen. Lord Dastesci dropped into a low bow next to me and I did my best to curtsey since I didn’t want my breasts falling out of the dress in front of everyone.
“Is this her?” A male voice asked. Since I was looking at the floor I wasn’t sure if it was the king or someone else.
“Yes, King Sulien. This is the moon marked, Senara.” Dastesci held his bow as he spoke so I held my curtsey in turn, which proved to be more challenging than I was used to.
“You may rise,” King Suilen said. When I looked up at him I could see him evaluating me. “She’s rather small, isn’t she?”
“Yes, your majesty. It seems the veil did all it could, but there was only so much it could increase her size.”
A feminine sniff drew my attention and I found myself watching the queen. “She may be physically small, but her mark is the biggest I’ve ever seen.”
“Yes, Queen Esylit. We have no records of any with a bigger moon mark. I had Fenvalur do extensive research into the matter and he found the same.” Dastesci inclined his head toward the queen before tugging me forward and turning me to the side and back to show her the full extent of my mark.
Once Dastesci had me back in the right place Queen Esylit watched me for a moment before asking, “You are unfamiliar with anything to do with our culture and lands, is that correct?”
“Yes, your majesty,” I murmured in response.
She glanced at her husband and nodded her head.
King Sulien smiled at the queen, clearly this wasn’t just a marriage of power, at least on his part, if the softness in his gaze was anything to go by. When he stood I wasn’t sure what to expect but he simply commanded, “All council members come forth.”
