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I am counting on the dress and my dust-free hair to feed on Sebastian’s primal need to want what he can't have—a seductive Cerise. Lust and intrigue are my only chance to pass the first round.
"That's all the ladies are talking about. Your hair is just so…" Jinx picks a croissant off the display tray and takes a bite of the pastry while mulling over her words. She’s bold but hesitant, polite yet curious. I like her. "Vibrant. Does that mean your power is stronger? Like the brighter your hair is, the more you can do?"
I wouldn't use the word vibrant to describe my hair. Vibrant makes me think of perfectly ripe strawberries or chrysanthemums. My hair is like that of a chocolate cosmos with deep, rich hues and a natural violetfeathered throughout and holds no indication of what my magic can do.
I finish the strawberry wine and set the empty glass on the table. I stab another wedge of cheese with my toothpick and plop it in my mouth. “Please don’t take offense, but are you dumb?”
Her nose wrinkles, and a flicker of frustration passes over her perfect complexion. “Excuse me?”
“Well, if I’m a Cerise because my hair is red, then you must be dumb because you’re blonde.”
“Oh!” she says, the realization I’m not blindly insulting her sinking in. She pales as my message hits home, then flushes with embarrassment.“When you put it like that, the question is foolish. Isn’t it?”
"If there were any truth to the rumors about hair and the craft, I'd be dead. I'm not a Cerise, Jinx. Sorry to disappoint."
"More of a relief than a disappointment," she says with a warm smile, and I love how freely she wears her emotions. "I get it, though. People are afraid of what they don't understand. Different doesn't make us bad, just... different."
"Us?" I set my long-stemmed glass on the table behind me and watch Jinx remove the long, silky glove from her left hand. I hide my surprise at the misshaped form. It is slightly smaller and only has three fingers instead of five. "Was that from an accident?"
"It happened when I was young." She pulls the silk covering back up her arm, slipping the working fingers in their place while something stuffed the other to make them look full. I would never have known her secret without being shown what was underneath. "But being different doesn't make me weaker or less than any of the girls here."
"I never said it did."
"I know, and I'm sorry. I'm not trying to make an enemy by blaming you falsely. It's just when people look at me without my gloves, they only see what I can't do. They don't take the time to get to know me as a person. If they did, they'd realize I'm stronger because of my disability." Old wounds bring tears to her eyes, but she does well to keep them to herself. I know how much it hurts to be judged without cause, but I can't begin to imagine what her life must have been like. "Was the wine good? No one is drinking anything but water until after meeting Prince Sebastian.They're scared to giggle too loudly or... something. I'm jealous of your bravery."
I don't feel brave. All I did was wash the powder I usually hide behind away and try to drown my anxiety in a bit of alcohol. Jinx is the real warrior. If she can make Sebastian fall in love with her, she'll break the mold of a princess and possibly even how the kingdom sees people like us. I want her to be selected tonight. Hell, I want her to win.
"It's divine."
Jinx nods, looking at the decanter longingly. "I know I don't stand a chance. As soon as Prince Sebastian realizes what I am, he'll cut me loose. My best chance at a future is to be a lady's maid, but I'm here giving it my best because, why not? Anyway, I should get back and tell the girls you're not a witch."
"Could be fun to have them scared of me." At the very least, it would help fuel the desire of wanting what Sebastian can't have.
I will deny what I am to anyone who asks, but I doubt that would halt the rumors. Who knows, maybe the infamous Prince Sebastian will eliminate some of the ladies because of their gossiping nature. All the men I know hate drama. I'd be surprised if he were different in that respect.
"Tell them I denied everything, but you felt a cold chill slide down your spine when you walked away. I'll stare at you, all malevolent and broody-like, and everyone can wonder if I tried to curse you."
Jinx's brows push together into a worried line. "Don't you think that will make my friends stay away from me?"
I take in the youth of Jinx’s face, factor in her naïveté, and realize she can't be much older than sixteen. She’s so innocent. Too prone to fall for a carefully laid trap that would lock in her elimination.
I don’t know why, but I feel the need to protect her. "These girls aren't your friends, Jinx. They're your competition. Better to find out who will stab you in the back now than later."
"Ladies!" a herald announces, and the tension in the room shifts from thick and heavy to buzzing with excitement. "It is time to begin the presentation. Write your name as you would like for it to be called on these cards and line up. The first girl will be escorted into the ballroom in two minutes."
"This is it!" Jinx says, her smile wide, before hurrying to the table withcards and quills. "Good luck!"
I am going to need more than luck tonight. I grab another glass of strawberry wine and swallow it quickly. I’m starting to feel anxious and not at all excited.
I hate King Travers.
I hate the blind hate he has for the Cerise in his kingdom and figure his royally stuck-up son probably feels the same. After all, stupidity breeds stupidity.
But I’m playing with fire in this strikingly different gown and with my hair uncolored. He could take one look and send me to the gallows simply because he fears what I could be.
I choose to be the last in line and position myself in the back of the room. One by one, each lady is escorted into the hallway and announced like a prized cow at auction. Minutes pass between each Lady in Waiting, giving them enough time to curtsy before matriculating into the assembly.
I resist reaching for a fourth glass of wine. My head is already light from the first few. Maybe the other ladies were onto something by not drinking until after they’re announced. I don't need to present myself as a giddy fool and embarrass myself.
