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She bent down and kissed him, and Toren weighed the merits of being late, after all.

These days, it was nearly unavoidable.

Chapter52

The Presentation

Ria stared at her reflection in the mirror with wonder. Could this really be her? She’d never dared to wear this shade of green, pale and only two removed from the deep, vibrant hue the kings alone could wear. It looked lovely with her hair and complexion.

She ran a trembling finger over the warm silver bound high across her brow.

As Mehl had joked, Feref had indeed produced something like a tiara, a circlet in this case. Elaborate braids surrounded it so tightly that only the part over her forehead was visible. Diamonds dangled from the circlet at regular intervals, dancing just above her eyebrows when she shook her head. She wore a matching silver necklace, too, with a larger diamond that nestled just above the valley between her breasts.

There was nothing too elaborate about the thin green fabric of her gown, but she studied the simple lines with a seamstress’s eye. The diaphanous swirl of green fell in gentle waves down her body with all the grace and joy of a rolling spring meadow. Lovely, but the cut had been the height of fashion two years ago. Though it was still in style now, it wasn’t the latest.

Where in the world could Feref have found it?

Ria spun away from the mirror and crossed into the sitting room where the chamberlain waited. “Feref, I’m curious. Where are you getting my clothes?”

“Ah.” His expression turned abashed. “Our seamstress had started a wardrobe for a royal consort before she needed to take leave. When she returns, she will not be pleased with the plundering.”

Ria frowned at the pale green fabric. “This isn’t a consort’s color, though.”

“No, it isn’t.” Feref grinned, a hint of pride in the curve. “I had her prepare a few pieces like this in case Toren was required to form a political marriage as part of the agreement. I’m certain Kleren will be horrified that I’ve allowed you to wear it without a proper fitting, but it looks fine to me.”

Truly, it would have been a nightmare for Toren and Mehl if they’d dismissed Feref. The man was frighteningly prepared.

She smiled at him. “I might have used my alteration magic a touch. When your seamstress returns, she’ll have no need for shame.”

The door opened, and Mehl poked his head through. “We really will be late if we don’t hurry.”

Ria’s stomach dropped in an abrupt, nausea-surging plunge. She’d been able to bury her worries about the presentation beneath her professional curiosity, but no amount of staring at her new dress would get her through this event. All she could do was conquer her fear as best she was able.

Nodding, Ria waved at Feref and followed Mehl into the hall where Toren waited. Both kings looked spectacular in royal green robes traced with delicate embroidery in silver and gold. Toren wore a gold crown of twined leaves and Mehl a similar crown in silver. The three of them matched, but not perfectly—her gown wasn’t as close in design as the kings’ robes were. Appropriate, she supposed, since she hadn’t married them yet.

Heat flared in Toren’s eyes. “I can’t wait to see you in full royal colors.”

“You certainly can.” Ria gave a teasing curtsey. “You’re the one who chose a wedding date a month in the future.”

She heard a choked sound from Feref behind her. “A month?”

Toren’s smile took on a wicked slant. “I have faith in you, Feref. Only pray Ria doesn’t tease me into moving it sooner.”

From the taunting light that entered Toren’s eyes, she suspected she wasn’t the only one who heard the chamberlain’s whispered curse. “Be kind,” she said, trying not to laugh. “Or poor Feref will run away to the countryside and leave us to plan everything ourselves.”

“I could be perfectly content on a farm,” Feref groused.

Mehl laughed, and the warm sound eased away some of Ria’s nerves. Not all, but for the moment, she thought she could keep her breakfast where it belonged. As they’d planned, she situated herself to Toren’s left before they started down the corridor. The kings normally entered the throne room from the back door, not the front entrance.

But today, they escorted her. A show of favor, sure, but also one of affection.

Ryssa joined them along the way, trailing behind Ria like a proper attendant. It was an odd thing to have a born princess following her, though Ria was from a merchant family. In all her wildest daydreams of escaping her father, something like this had never entered her mind as a possibility. Reality seemed destined to crash down upon her, taking away everything she was afraid to love.

Better not to think about those fears right now.

When they reached the grand entryway that stretched in front of both throne room and dining room, Ria sidled closer to Toren. Had there ever been so many courtiers packed into the massive space? Probably so, but not any of the times that Ria had attended. Any noble in riding distance must have hurried this way after the previous night’s announcement.

Ria stiffened her spine—which was Ryssa’s advice, actually.If one is to stiffen from fear, better to direct that energy into an unyielding posture. The more afraid you are, the taller you should stand.Ria had to admit that it did make her feel more regal to march beside Toren with her shoulders back and her chin held high. It didn’t matter if she fooled anyone else, so long as she fooled herself.