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“Are you sure you won’t let me try to run and hide?” I lifted a brow, my heart squeezing with hope but my stomach hardening with dread.
She adjusted the bow underneath her left arm. “Maybe, if you were actually near an exit.” She gestured down the stone pathway that led to more colorful flowers. “But thick walls surround the entire garden, so unless you can sprout wings, you can’t escape from here.”
Any other time, I would’ve thought that was a joke, but not after seeing Orla with her wings earlier. I had so many questions, but Maeve’s advice rang in my ears. If I wanted to remain mysterious, I shouldn’t pepper anyone with questions unless I wanted to reciprocate with answers of my own. I needed to act as if I belonged in their world so they didn’t have something to hold over me.
“Not only that, but there’s a reason I waited for you within the castle. At the end of this pathway, guards are stationed to watch for you per Queen Orla’s orders.”
There it was. I was a prisoner even if this was supposedly my home.
Everything inside me wanted to stay in the garden for a little longer. Even though my room was comforting, something out here made me feel magical, but I knew it wasn’t true. If Orla had people watching me, she wanted to see if I’d try to escape. I needed to go back to my room and be an obedient human in case I ever did get a chance to run away. “Good night.”
Maeve didn’t say a word, and I forced myself to walk back toward the castle door. As I drew closer, the lights swirling around me faded. I stepped back into the castle, and they vanished into thin air.
Even with the gorgeous flowers lining the hallway, I couldn’t get past the sinking feeling that I would never get home.
Never in my life had I ever worn a dress before last night, but Lilidh waited for me in the middle of the bedroom to assist me into yet another one. “How am I supposed to train in that?”
Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean? This is for training. It’s leather, and you’ll be covered for protection.” She lifted an all-black leather dress that was really a formfitting top and a long shirt with leggings and boots. It might be more comfortable than last night’s dress, but it wasn’t my jeans and shirt.
I gestured at the top, which was so low cut I feared a nipple would pop out. “There seems to be a huge piece of cloth missing if I’m supposed to be covered everywhere.”
“You have lovely breasts, Your Highness.” Cara rubbed her hands together. “There’s no reason to be shy.”
I wanted to laugh. I had so many reasons for not wanting to show off my chest, but the most important was that I’d like to keep both boobs and not have one accidentally cut off. “Isn’t there another outfit?”
“No.” Lilidh frowned. “I’m sorry. We had this one made quickly last night for today. They’re working on your outfits for the Comortas when you’ll need better protection.”
I wouldn’t argue with that. I glanced at the bed, which she’d insisted on making while I washed my face in the bathroom this morning after dining on the most delicious muffins and breads I’d ever eaten in my life.
“I’ll need to help you put this on.” She pursed her lips and fidgeted.
She was the nicest of the three women who were apparently my attendants, yet I made her feel uncomfortable.
I forced myself to undress and let her pour the leather over my body. I was certain the clothes wouldn’t fit, but the leather gave until, eventually, it fit me like a glove. I’d never worn anything so formfitting before.
“My turn.” Cara slid in front of me, wiggled her fingers, and flicked her wrists in my face.
My skin buzzed, and I startled backward, thankful for the boots instead of the high heels from last night. I didn’t know what she was doing to me, but I never wanted her to do it again.
“There,” she exclaimed. “Perfect.”
I spun around and looked into the mirror on top of the dresser in the corner of the bedroom. I couldn’t believe what I saw. My skin was smooth and flawless, and my face had a natural look as if I’d spent hours on my makeup. I rubbed my face. “How the?—”
“Glamour.” Cara straightened her shoulders. “I’ve mastered it in the fifty complete season cycles you’ve been gone.”
That was a handy gift, though I preferred not to wear makeup. At least it wasn’t uncomfortable, except for the faint buzz left behind.
As if by clockwork, Enid entered the room with a small smile. Her hair was braided to one side, and she wore a simple gown, just like the other two girls. “Good sun cycle, Princess Alina. Dallas is waiting for you in the training room.”
Dallas.
The last person or fae I wanted to see. I’d rather have a root canal than endure his presence, but if that was the only way I was going to get trained, I’d suck it up. In fact, training with him might give me better motivation since I’d do everything possible to keep him from touching me.
I nodded, not bothering with pleasantries. She’d left me alone with Dallas yesterday, and I wouldn’t forgive that anytime soon. You didn’t leave other people alone with predators.
The corners of her lips twitched downward, but she kept up the smile. “Come along.”
The two of us turned down so many hallways that I lost all sense of direction. Even if I wanted to escape to my room, there was no way I could find it without help. Each hallway looked identical with the same flowers and vines—beautiful, vibrant, and all-encompassing.
