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I wanted to tell her what she could eat, but it was best not to piss off someone who was in charge of the trials that would lead to my death.
Spinning on my heels, I marched back into the dining hall, where snickers echoed through the room, bouncing off the golden walls and smooth stone. Despite my momentary absence, they were still laughing at my expense.
I didn’t understand what was so funny about the nightgown. It was comfortable and pretty—all the things you wanted when preparing to devour a meal. I lifted my chin and stalked back to my seat as if I always dined in nightwear.
At my table, I couldn’t help but notice that even my own people were giving me funny stares.
When my gaze landed on the man next to the empty chair at the head, I froze.
Forest-green eyes stared back at me, sending me back to my first fighting lesson with Maeve. He was one of Dallas’s friends who’d watched me train.
My back went rigid, and I hurried to take the vacant seat.
“Good evening, Princess Alina,” the man said cordially. “I hope your nap was refreshing, though I’m surprised you didn’t bother to change.”
I huffed out a breath and lifted my head. For a moment, I focused on the vine chandelier hanging over the Summer table. It was filled with gorgeous fae flowers. The icicle chandelier over the Winter fae table was twice as big as if they’d had to make theirs bigger.
That sounded about right.
Blowing out a breath, I kept my voice steady as I said, “I didn’t take a nap.”
“You purposely wore your nightgown to dinner?” a soft voice tinkled from a woman on the left side of the table.
A knot twisted in my stomach. Though she appeared to be my age, she was petite and small. Her large, innocent sky-blue eyes reminded me of a foster sister I’d known what felt like a lifetime ago. Beth was one of the girls I’d failed to help.
“Princess?” Dallas’s friend said, bringing me back to the present.
I shook my head, trying to ground myself in the moment. “Of course.” I stared down at my dress, which did look and feel similar to the dresses they’d given me for bedtime at the palace, but the skirt on this one was floor length and fuller. I’d thought it was a legitimate dress. Who slept in a fucking fluffy gown?
Fae. That was who.
What was wrong with these people?
Worse, I was the one they were making fun of, not the other way around. If I made it clear that this had been an accident, things would only get worse.
“I wanted to be comfortable,” I told the woman. I had to fight to keep my shoulders from slumping, and it was a damn war. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t put that together on my own. There was only one way to throw off the ridicule—I needed to distract them with something they coveted. “We’re going into battle tomorrow, so why not have a night of comfort? The clothes here are damn uncomfortable compared to clothes in my world.” I emphasized my, hoping the implication that Earth clothing was superior to fae clothing would throw them off.
“Oh.” The small girl clapped her hands. “I’d love to hear all about?—”
“Moire,” the woman across from the petite woman said with an adoring smile. “If the princess wishes to relax, pestering her with questions about Earth will do the opposite.” She flipped her lavender locks over her shoulder, and her bright-violet eyes sparkled. Her gold dress clung to her curves and made her dark skin look radiant. “Take a deep breath, and then maybe we’ll have a chance to ask about her time on Earth before she dies.”
I visibly winced. The woman had said the words without malice, but to hear my death spoken about so flippantly had caught me off guard.
Moire pouted. “Fine, but if I don’t get any answers, I’ll haunt your magic when you pass back to nature, Catrina.”
This feisty, petite woman had just proclaimed herself as the winner, and I liked her more for it. If only Beth had been the same. Maybe she wouldn’t have ended up in prison.
“Princess, you have someone watching you,” the woman on my other side whispered as she leaned toward me. Her hair reminded me of cinnamon, as did her scent. Under the table, she gestured toward the other end of the room.
Without thinking it through, I looked and locked eyes with none other than King Kieran.
I hated the way my body tensed in response. I didn’t want to react to him.
I forced a smile, throwing Catrina’s caution to the wind. “You know what? Let’s talk about Earth.”
Even the five Summer Fae who were silently watching shifted forward, so I launched into my story.
My throat hurt. That was how much I’d talked during dinner. The only break had been when Eamon and Kaley had stopped by to wish us each good luck. From then on, our whole table slowly became louder, everyone peppering me with questions. I’d scarcely had time to enjoy the sweet, amazing fruit juice and the breads, honey, and chocolate.
