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Sian chuckled. “Very well. I suppose it takes females a long time to get ready.”

“Nearly as long as you.” Vale strode our way. “Don’t pretend you don’t try to look pretty at the theater, Sian.”

The males began to verbally spar, and Saga turned toward me, rolling her eyes. “What do you say to a girls’ morning? We’ve seen each other most days but always with Vale. I don’t blame you since you’re a newlywed, but, well, I’d like some time alone with you and the girls!”

A smile grew on my face at being included, considered part of the group. “I’d love that.”

I lay back on the wooden bench as Saga poured water over hot black rocks.

“Good?” Saga turned back to the bench and lay down, allowing her towel to fall.

Though the sauna was open to anyone in the palace, when the royal family wished to use it, the Clawsguard cleared it out. We were alone, Saga, Sayyida, and I.

I’d been naked around slaves at the Blood Court. Both in the baths and in our bedroom. There wasn’t much privacy there. But since arriving in Winter’s Realm, I’d either had my own room, or Vale had granted me privacy whenever I wished.

Too much privacy, I sometimes thought, though he was following the letter of our agreement. No way I could be upset about that, even if my body disagreed with me.

In the sauna, however, we were free to drop the towels and relax in the way nature intended.

“So, Neve, which gown are you going to wear tonight?” Saga asked, her blue eyes closed as she breathed deeply in and out.

“I’m not sure.” I wiggled my bare toes and stretched out on the hot wood.

During the days when there’d been no Courting Festival events, Saga’s personal dressmaker had come to the castle to take my measurements. I’d given her an idea of what I liked, the colors, cuts, and fabrics. She’d claimed she had a few gowns in the works that matched what Iliked. With a few embellishments fit for a princess, she could have them done by today.

Vale had been ecstatic. Every time I wore crimson, Roar’s colors, he frowned, though he hadn’t actually said anything.

Truth be told, I was pleased to have a new wardrobe too.

“One of the royal blue gowns,” I said, weighing my options.

At least half of the dresses I’d ordered were royal blue, but I’d chosen gold and shades of white, the other Aaberg hues, as well as variations of purple and a lighter blue—my preference. Vale had given me far more flexibility than Roar, who had curated my closet.

I shrugged. “House colors.”

“Gross,” Sayyida sang. “Don’t be such a suck-up, Neve.”

Saga cracked her eyes open and pointed a finger at Sayyida. “As if you don’t wear Virtoris blue and black every chance you get! Don’t be hard on Neve for trying to get in my parents’ good graces. I think royal blue will look very nice on you, Neve.”

“I can’t help it if Virtoris blue goes with my eyes,” Sayyida mumbled.

“You sound like Sian.” I laughed when Sayyida scowled at the mention of the male who’d beaten her. “Oh, get over it, Sayyida. Sian is a great warrior. And you can’t win every time.”

Sayyida sat up. “I beat my brother every time.”

“When there’s no magic involved,” Saga corrected.

“But at swords. Or any other weapon.”

“Well, perhaps one day you’ll beat Sian too.” I offered a rowan branch. “If he keeps working with you, you’ll be more likely to do so.”

Sayyida cocked her head. “You’re right.” She paused. “You’re not the middle child, are you?”

My eyebrows knitted together. “What?”

“Well, you’re good at negotiating and that makes me think of a lot of middle children I know.”

Saga laughed. “You’re a middle child, Sayyida. And you’re not very good at negotiating, just fighting to get your own way.”