Page 32

Chapter 32

Saelyn

My mother dismissed Amaya before I could protest and gestured to the balcony chair to finish my hair. I slumped into it, bracing for the impact of her scolding.

She was already dressed in a long black gown with a sheer white collar. The vested front would still identify her as a Baron , though I doubted that was needed with her famous black eyes and flowing white hair.

“ You are beautiful, Little Love ,” she started, her voice soft and kind.

I swallowed. “ Thank you, Mother .”

She heaved a heavy sigh, and I felt the tremble in her fingers as she pinned another curl into the top of my dark braid. “ There’s so much I still need to tell you. I’m sorry I haven’t had much time, but after the events tonight, we can rest here and talk of the past.” She finished my hair and smiled down at me, the slightest flicker of green forcing its way into the depths of her dark stare. “ You must have questions.”

“ Of course I have questions. I —” I stopped, lifting my chin, remembering my promise not to be angry with her. “ I am ready to listen when you’re ready to speak.”

Her face fell slightly, but she nodded. “ Come , let’s get you into your gown.”

Following her into my room, she pulled a gown from the closet, admiring how it sparkled.

I tilted my head as she unfastened the buttons in the back. “ Aren’t you going to scold me? For leaving with Thevin today?”

She smirked, helping me out of my skirts. “ Not this time. I hope you both had an adventure today you’ll remember always.”

Shocked , I opened and closed my mouth like an aurum fish. “ And Clairannia told you everything that happened?”

She nodded, gesturing for me to step into the delicate fabric. I tiptoed into the sheath of the dress and she carefully pulled it up over my shoulders. It was a daring piece, but as Amaya had assured me, at the highest fashion of the Spire .

My mother fastened the buttons at the back, explaining, “ I did speak to Clairannia , and yes, I understand what happened today. You and Thevin are young. It’s past time you get to go on adventures outside of Felgren . Besides , the Blightress doesn’t know you’re here, and this city is safe.”

I was rendered speechless, not at all expecting this response. I grinned back at her through the dressing mirror as she finished the last button and swept her hands over my arms. “ I’m excited. For tonight, I mean.” I studied myself in the mirror, admiring the color of the fabric, the placement of the braid woven in a crown atop my head, and the way the curves of my breasts and hips accentuated the long lengths of my waist and legs. I wasn’t quite as tall as my mother, but taller than most women I’d met.

She smiled back at my giddy reflection. “ Now let’s talk about the events of the night.”

“ Oh , I already know!” I exclaimed, searching the closet for my soft velvet shoes that made me at least two inches taller. They were tricky to walk in, but Amaya had shown me how to adjust my weight on my feet. “ Amaya already went over everything I need to know. She’s been a wonderful help!”

“ Everything ?” my mother asked. I caught the disappointment in her voice. “ Even the Ceremonial? —”

“ Dance , yes, all of it. The dinner, the toasting, the gathering of the Four .” I paused. “ Though , she knew less about that, but had some general ideas of what happens.”

“ It’s just a formal meeting of the Four . Although , one of us will not be there.”

I finished the buckles at my shoes and nodded, reaching out my hand to her. “ I’m ready when you are, Mother .”

She gave me a dazzling smile, took my hand in hers, and we left to begin our evening.

* * *

We entered a room toward the top of the Spire with more arched open windows that surrounded what I assumed was a dining hall. A long table glistened with dinnerware in various shades of the roofs of the Spire . A few dozen people milled about, some with drinks in hand, waiting for the dinner to begin.

Lady Lanna spotted us at once, hovering near the doorway as if in waiting. She sprinted toward us, her arms wide, her mouth open in surprise at my gown. “ Saelyn !” She pulled me into a genuine embrace. “ Our fashions are most becoming on you and you alone!” She vaguely gestured behind her, murmuring, “ You are the most beautiful creature here by far, and I believe I’m not the only one who would say so.” She winked as if I understood her comment and greeted my mother with a kiss on the cheek.

“ The Viceroy is looking for you as always, Baron Karus ,” she informed us, pulling my arm into the crook of her elbow and leading me away.

I studied the women of the room, confirming that the gown I wore was in the standard of fashion. I stumbled slightly in my shoes and Lanna caught me, whispering, “ I hate these damned shoes.” She lifted the sheer hem of her silver gown to show me the similar style on her own feet. “ My mother refuses to let go of this tradition, but when I am Lady of the Spire …” she trailed, shrugging.

“ Is your mother…unwell?” I inquired, taking a glass of something that smelled like citrus from the servant who passed us.

“ Very ,” Lanna answered, her eyes darting around the crowd, obviously in search of someone. “ She’s a stubborn woman, though, and is hanging onto life by a thread.”

I eyed her in surprise. “ You and your mother have a…strained relationship?”

Her laughter boomed through the room and several eyes glanced our way. She led me to one of the windows where we could see the shades of green painted on the roofs, designating the south Spire . “ My mother is…” she began, pulling her lips to the side, “an interesting woman. She did her best to force the fight from me, but never succeeded.”

“ Oh , I’m sorry,” I said. “ She couldn't accept your independence?”

“ No ,” she laughed, pulling at the sword strapped to her waist, somehow appropriate, even in her long silvery gown, “ She literally could not force the fight from me. She tried to raise a Lady of the Spire and got a soldier instead.”

It was my turn to laugh with her.

“ I see you two are getting along swimmingly.” The voice I’d know anywhere came from behind me. I spun in my heels, my face still in a laughing grin as I looked upon Thevin .

His mouth opened in awe and his brows rose. “ Saelyn ,” he breathed. “ You look…” his words faltered and he closed his mouth, swallowing.

Lanna leaned over my shoulder and laughed, “ Doesn’t she, Thevin ? Doesn’t she look…” she trailed off in a jest.

I gave a stinted laugh, but Thevin didn’t respond, nor did he move as his eyes flickered over my gown.

“ Oh , dear,” Lanna muttered, “ I do believe Viceroy Mediyr’s daughter is calling me.” She squeezed my arm once and winked, her body flowing into the crowd seamlessly. I watched her go, biting the inside of my cheek.

I wasn’t expecting Thevin’s reaction at all.

I glanced back to him, only to find his eyes caught at the sheer fabric that did little to hide the shape of my legs. I shrugged nervously. “ Did your parents chastise you much?” Nervous laughter escaped me. “ My mother wasn’t angry at all, if you can believe it.” I met his silent stare, now assured my dress had been too daring, too revealing, even though the style was common among the women in the room. I frowned down at the sheer sparkling powder blue fabric and then looked back up to Thevin . “ Is this not right?” I glanced around. “ Amaya said it was the latest?—”

“ Ask me what I’m thinking,” he whispered low, his words barely audible under his breath.

I laughed in relief. “ What are you thinking, Thevin ?”

“ I’m thinking you should only wear this color. Nothing else will do.”

I laughed again, nudging into his shoulder where he caught me, surprising me by pulling me into his arms. “ You’re beautiful, Saelyn ,” he continued in my ear. A shiver spread through my body, shaking me slightly as he pulled away, kissing my cheek as he went.

Now . I should tell him now. I should confess I loved him.

My heart raced in my chest and my cheeks burned, but I didn’t care as I started with, “ Thevin , I’ve been wanting to tell you?—”

He shook his head, grabbing my hand. “ Come on. Let’s find our seats.” He pulled me toward the table where guests were beginning to sit and settle for the meal.

“ But , I —” I tried again.

Instead of listening, he yanked me harder, avoiding the conversion that was well overdue. I ran my tongue along my teeth in annoyance, even as the dinner bell chimed and the room quieted to a low murmur.

Thevin pulled a saffron cushioned chair with a low back for me to take, and I sat in a puff, sighing and folding my hands into my lap.

Another ding sounded and the man at the end of the table, whom I recognized as the Viceroy , stood to begin a speech. Thevin and I sat somewhere in the middle of the table across from his parents and my mother. Lady Lanna looked bored next to the Viceroy while a pretty young woman sat across from her, making a face. Lanna held in her snicker and the speech began.

I hardly made out a word of what was said, still fuming and now set on a course to end this between Thevin and I .

I’d tell him tonight.

I didn’t care if he didn’t want to hear it; I was saying those words.

Damn the timing, damn the odd desire I had to prove I could be just as strong as Lanna , and was more than a simple girl from Felgren Forest .

He would know by the end of the night that I loved him and could do with that truth whatever he wished. I wouldn’t wait any longer to take the risk I had dreamed of since I was fifteen years old. It was time to put aside my fear and live for the future.