Page 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

D espite the pale glow of morning sunlight streaming in through the cottage’s window, Narissa knew the other side of the bed would be cold.

Solarius had not returned.

She thought for certain he would come back before dawn.

She’d woken up multiple times during the night, stretching one arm out just to see, only to grasp nothing.

His half of the bed remained empty.

A tiny part of her hoped he would be asleep on the sofa in the cozy living area, but she knew she wouldn’t find him there.

The bond quickly diminished that small glimmer of optimism—he was gone.

Truth be told, she was not entirely sure she wanted to know where he spent the night.

She didn’t want to think about whose arms he may have stumbled into, or dwell upon what sort of circumstances might have found him.

Sighing but choosing not to despair, Narissa climbed out of bed and carefully considered her options.

She could explore the cottage, which admittedly would not take long and seemed like the more uninspiring choice, or she could muster up a pluck of bravery and venture into Galefell alone.

The decision made itself, and Narissa chose a gown of heavy teal silk with sapphire lace overlay along the hem.

Iridescent crystals in the shape of flowing waves embellished the waist and the modest bodice was complete with sheer long sleeves that draped off her shoulders.

Nude stockings reached the top of her thighs, and she paired them with shiny black boots.

Not ideal for trekking through snow-covered streets, but at least they looked pretty.

She adorned her fingers with multiple gold rings—some thin and delicate, others decorated with turquoise gems—and grabbed some gold hoops as well as a necklace made from rainbow-hued seashells.

Narissa moved through the deafening stillness of the cottage, careful not to make too much noise, as though one sound from her would disturb the already painful quiet.

Her gaze betrayed her, darting to the plush sofa positioned across from the roaring hearth.

It was empty, no strewn blankets, not a pillow out of place.

Narissa tugged on her wool overcoat, fastening the buttons slowly, glancing at the main entrance after each one.

She knew there was a servant or two assigned to their cottage at Windsong, but Narissa was beginning to think they were invisible.

Either that, or they’d made themselves scarce after her and Solarius’s argument last night.

Not that it mattered, she doubted they were much for conversation.

Most of the servants at House Azurvend acted as though she didn’t exist or were always startled to discover she was in the room with them.

Over the years, they had become quite adept at ignoring her.

Which was fine, she reminded herself.

This was nothing she was not already accustomed to overcoming.

Loneliness suited her just fine.

Narissa would hire a coach to bring her to Galefell’s city center, and while she was there, she would shop around for some flowers and herbs not often found in Azurvend.

She would not replay that harrowing night where Calfair used her for one of his revolting schemes.

If she thought on it too much, her subconscious would scream at her for being a fool, because surely she would have noticed how Calfair hadn’t kissed her, how the way he carried himself was nothing at all like Solarius, how his touch was all wrong.

So no, she would not worry that her eyes were still puffy from too many tears and lack of sleep.

And she certainly would not dread the fact that her husband had not yet returned to her.

She would hold her head high.

She would face whatever storm she was forced to weather.

And if she purchased a few leaves of nightfern, then so be it.

By the time the mid-morning sun kissed the glistening rooftops of the alluring floating isle of Galefell, Narissa found herself tucked inside a welcoming cafe nestled against a wall of luminous ivory roses with a steaming cup of orange clove tea.

She treated herself to a delicious cherry tart—a pastry of crisp, flaky dough filled with sweetened cherry cream and topped with a drizzle of melted chocolate.

The cafe was the exact sort of place where she felt most comfortable.

It exuded warmth with its pastel papered walls and blooming silver vines.

She absently stirred her tea, admiring the way the golden liquid glimmered like stardust, when two shadows fell across her table.

Narissa glanced up to find two females gazing down at her, one with a smile bright enough to put the sun to shame, and the other who looked as though she’d bitten into a particularly sour lemon.

She recognized the one with the smile as Lady Aria Skyhelm, Calfair’s younger sister, and though she did not know the name of her surly companion, there was something oddly familiar about her.

Lady Aria was absolutely stunning, and the polar opposite of her elder brother.

Her flawless bronze skin glowed with ethereal beauty, kohl and golden powder lined her rich amber eyes, and her shiny black hair was swept up into an intricate style of curls and braids so that it was piled high then tumbled over one shoulder.

The gown she wore looked as though it had been crafted from the sunrise.

Gold bound the strapless bodice and waist as long layers of blush, peach, cream, and the palest blue rippled around her.

A cloak of white fur was pinned at her neck and when she tilted her head to one side, the diamonds cascading down her pointed ears twinkled in the morning sunlight.

“May we join you?” Lady Aria asked, her smile never faltering.

“Of course.” Narissa gestured to the empty seats across from her as pinpricks of uncertainty needled along her spine.

She was not accustomed to anyone ever asking to be in her company willingly.

Then again, it was a rare occasion when she was actually noticed.

Lady Aria slid into the high-back chair with practiced ease, her movements sleek and graceful.

While the female accompanying her remained austere and excessively prim, as though her spine was made of steel.

“You’re Lady Narissa Seaborne, are you not?” Lady Aria’s sultry voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper.

It was interesting how so many nobles had already seemingly forgotten that Narissa was now married to a lord of House Celestine.

Or perhaps they heard the rumors of their small wedding ceremony and chose to dismiss it as nothing worthy of note.

Or maybe they simply forgot.

“I am.” Narissa nodded once.

“And you’re Lady Aria Skyhelm.”

“Indeed.”

Lady Aria’s perfectly manicured nails, sharpened to a point and painted a pretty nude shade, tapped the table between them.

Her eyes flicked to the female accompanying her and when she made no effort to introduce them, Narissa assumed the stuffy female was either a lady’s maid or a chaperone.

Though the latter seemed unlikely, as it had been some time since any lady of Aeramere had been required to have a chaperone.

Still, Narissa could have sworn she’d seen the lady’s maid somewhere before, she just couldn’t remember where.

“I had no idea you were visiting Galefell. Are you here with Lord Marintide?” There was nothing malicious or spiteful in Lady Aria’s tone, in fact, she seemed genuinely curious.

But Narissa chose then to politely correct her assumption, as she did not care to be incorrectly relegated to a lifetime of spinsterhood.

By the tides, she was married , and everyone should know it.

“Actually, I’m on honeymoon.” She offered Lady Aria a dazzling smile of her own, hoping it was enough to disguise all the hurt and pain staining her heart.

Lady Aria blinked, her thick lashes fluttering.

“Honeymoon?”

“Yes. With my husband.” Narissa dipped her chin at Lady Aria’s look of confusion.

“Lord Solarius Starstorm.”

“Lord Solarius?” Her dark brows rose in surprise, and without warning, she reached out and squeezed Narissa’s hand.

“Oh, how delightful! Calfair failed to mention your engagement, so I had no idea you were even betrothed!”

Narissa bit back on the urge to snort with derision, and she was thankful for her own self-control because Lady Aria’s sincere kindness was overwhelming, easing some of her inner turmoil.

“Well done, Lady Narissa.” She winked then and gave her hand another squeeze before leaning back.

“Lord Solarius is quite the catch.”

There was no quip.

No insult.

No backhanded compliment.

Just pure, unaltered kindness.

Lady Aria tossed her head once, so her curls and braids of silky black hair glinted like obsidian in the morning light.

“So, tell me, Lady Narissa, are you enjoying your stay?”

“We’ve only just arrived last night.”

While Lady Aria’s smile did not falter, her lady’s maid stole a doubtful look in Narissa direction before turning her attention once again to where she kept her hands folded in her lap.

Only then did Narissa realize how it must look for her to be out and about without Solarius by her side.

“I just figured I would come into the city from Windsong to see if I can find any flowers or herbs not readily available to me in Azurvend. I didn’t want to bore Sol with my genteel hobbies.” Narissa held up the cherry tart.

“But then I was distracted by this delectable treat.”

Lady Aria’s laughter filled the air, reminding Narissa vaguely of satin and smoke.

“I don’t blame you in the least. You simply must try the sunrise meringues before you leave Galefell. They are positively divine.”

“I will be sure to do that.” Narissa pinched off a piece of the cherry tart and popped it into her mouth, chewing slowly, still unsure why Lady Aria was taking the time to converse with her.

Lady Aria leaned forward, propping her elbows upon the table, and gently twirled one finger through the air.

At once, the scent of wisteria, sun-drenched lilacs, and orange blossom wrapped around Narissa, clinging to her skin like the warm heat of summer.

An incandescent bubble of magic, an imperceptible glamour, encompassed her and Lady Aria.

The soft music floating throughout the cafe was muffled, the already quiet conversations of other patrons were dulled to near nothingness, while everything within the bubble was amplified.

Her breath.

Her heartbeat.

She stretched one hand out slowly, but her palm did not penetrate the iridescent barrier.

It was like pressing against a solid globe of glass.

She was trapped.

Narissa sucked in a breath, her gaze meeting Lady Aria’s benevolent eyes.

“Don’t worry, Lady Narissa. No one can hear us anymore.” Her nose crinkled in distaste when she looked over at her lady’s maid.

She huffed once, then bit the corner of her bottom lip.

“I find myself in need of a potion. Or an elixir of some sort.”

Narissa instantly relaxed.

Ah.

So, Lady Aria was in need of her services…

she wasn’t trying to humiliate or demoralize her.

She just didn’t want anyone to eavesdrop on their conversation.

A rather clever tactic.

With her interest piqued, Narissa took a sip of her tea, then asked, “What sort of potion?”

“I have it on good authority that Calfair is attempting to match me with one of the Starstorm brothers.” She inspected her nails as though she couldn’t be bothered with such nonsense.

“Would that be such a bad thing?” Narissa asked cautiously.

Lady Aria’s amber eyes twinkled with mischief.

“Yes. If it is not the one I want.”

Narissa’s back snapped straight at her blatant admission.

“Oh. I see. And, um, you would need a potion to…?”

“To discern whether or not Calfair is lying.”

“A truth serum, then.”

“Yes!” Lady Aria’s painted nails clicked against the table in rapid tandem, her excitement building.

“That is exactly what I need. This is my future, and he’s playing with it like it’s one of his stupid little games. I want to be able to ask him questions and receive honesty in response. I refuse to let my life be dictated by a spoiled male heir who has never once had to be held accountable for his own actions.”

Narissa flinched.

Though they weren’t meant for her directly, Lady Aria’s words stung, cutting open that wound she’d been trying to repair overnight.

But all of that would change, eventually.

Calfair would be held accountable soon enough.

Narissa had no intention of allowing him to get away with the crime he committed against her.

“A truth serum…” Narissa mulled the idea over.

Certainly she could put together the necessary ingredients, perhaps even have it ready in a day or so.

It would not need long to steep as truth serums were a powerful substance.

That being said, she might even have one in her personal collection which would eliminate the need to craft one altogether.

“I will see what I can do. It shouldn’t take me long to blend.”

“Wonderful. The price is of no consequence, bill me as you need.” Lady Aria waved one hand through the air like she was pretending to fix her hair, and the bubble of magic fell away.

“I’m hosting a ball tomorrow evening and would be honored if you and Lord Solarius would attend.”

Then she winked.

The sign that she wanted the truth serum by tomorrow night.

Very well.

Narissa nodded once even as her gut sank and her heart tumbled into its acidic pit of despair.

The tea soured.

The cherry tart left her suddenly most unwell.

“I would be delighted.” The lie burned the tip of her tongue.

Attending a ball at House Galefell where she was sure to be in the presence of Lord Calfair sounded like the least delightful thing ever.

And there was absolutely no way Solarius would attend.

If anything, Narissa would have to find a way to sneak off to the ball without his notice, deliver the serum to Lady Aria, then return to Windsong before she was missed.

No part of her makeshift plan sounded at all like it would work, but she knew firsthand what it was like to have her future planned without her consent, and it was a kind of silent suffering she would not wish upon her worst enemy.

“Lovely.” Lady Aria rose, then dipped into a slight curtsy.

“Come along, Hespira. Let us not waste any more of Lady Narissa’s time.”

The lady’s maid stood dutifully without sparing Narissa a single glance, but still, she rolled the name over in her mind.

Hespira.

Narissa swore she knew the face, but the name was completely wrong.

Well, if she couldn’t remember, then she supposed it wasn’t terribly important.

Maybe it would come to her later, but right now she was quite giddy with the prospect of concocting a truth serum.

Gathering up her belongings, she took a final sip of tea, then walked out into the bright, snowy streets of Galefell.