Page 7

My lady’s maid, Skylar, enters the room. She shares my pale complexion, blue eyes, and white hair. I brought her, together with the head of my guard, Balthorne, with me.

“Princess.” The girl drops to a curtsey. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”

I’ve never been good at having other people fuss around me, but I’m happy to see her. I pat the edge of my bed for her to come and sit.

“Please, come sit with me, Skylar. I don’t know anyone else at Highdrift, other than my mother and the king and Balthorne. It’s good to have a friend.”

She smiles and her features light up. She perches on the bed beside me.

“Tell me about my stepbrother, Prince Ruarok. Have you heard any news about him?”

Instantly, her anxiety seems to return. Her shoulders stiffen, and she stares hard at the floor. “Oh, I really couldn’t say.”

“But you’ve heard something? Have you met him?”

“No. I’ve been lucky enough that he hasn’t crossed my path.”

I frown. “Lucky? Why lucky? What is everyone so frightened of?”

“Prince Ruarok isn’t fully Fae.”

“Right,” I say slowly. “I admit it’s unusual for a member of a royal family not to have full Fae heritage, but it’s not unheard of.”

She lowered her voice to barely above a whisper. “He’s a bastard. His mother was a whore.”

Her course language does shock me. Even more so does the information that my mother is now married to a man who has slept with women of the night. But then, I doubt there are many men around who haven’t, and, in my opinion, if those women have put to use something they have to earn themselves a living, then who am I to judge?

“So, all this secrecy is just because Prince Ruarok is a bastard?”

“Plus he has a reputation around the castle for being…easy with women.”

I frown. “He’s not yet married, so surely he’s allowed to be with whomever he chooses.”

“When you see him, you’ll understand more.” She jumps back to her feet. “Now, will you allow me to help you dress?”

I nod my agreement. “I’ve chosen which one I want to wear.” It’s a beautiful dress in silver which will highlight my hair and wings.

“Let’s work on your hair first.”

I take a seat at my dressing table, and she combs out all the knots, the movement relaxing.

“And now a little magic,” she says with a smile.

The air around us charges, and a rush of hot air blowsthrough the white-blonde strands of my hair. Within seconds, it’s perfectly dry. Silky and shiny, and falling around my shoulders.

“Thank you,” I tell her, but my stomach knots that even my lady’s maid has more powerful magic than I do.

“Now let’s get you into your dress.”

I allow her to wrestle me into the garment. I can see the impact the dress has had on my figure. There is no possibility of anyone mistaking me for a little girl wearing this.

Skylar lets out a low whistle. “The whole court are going to be talking about you when they see you wearing this.”

My pale cheeks pinken in the mirror. “Oh, no, they won’t. All eyes will be on my mother, I’m sure.”

My mother has always been the beautiful one, and I’ve always been proud of her. What she’s been through over the years has been enough to make anyone crumble, but she kept going, keeping her chin held high. Her magic is also far more powerful than mine, though that isn’t difficult. Considering I’m full-blooded Fae, my magic still hasn’t come into its own. My mother reassures me that it’s because I’m still young, but even so, I find it frustrating.

Skylar shakes her head and smiles. “Oh, no, Princess. All eyes will be on you, I’m sure.”