Page 102 of Blackheart

I didn’t step any closer to the gowns, as I would not be putting one on. For starters, they were hideous. I would love nothing more than to dress in finery like a proper princess, butthe first expensive thing I wore would not be someone else's peacockish apparel.

Secondly, I had no ideahowto get the pile of atrocities onto my body.

Third,I had been dressing myself since I could walk and didn’t plan on breaking that streak anytime soon.

She did not shy away from eye contact. “I was warned you would not like me.”

“I don't,” I confirmed.

I stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind me. She could put the dresses on herself, or burn them for all I cared.

The hallway was just as dark as the room, yet cool and comforting. Gentle light trickled in through slender panes, and the stone architecture twisted like the forest along the walls.

If they wanted me to act like a princess so badly, then so be it.

“Take me to my brother,” I barked at the first Blademan in sight.

Lady Jocelynn followed, her shoes aggressively clicking on the floor behind me. The guard glanced her way, then shook his head before walking in the opposite direction.

He’d blatantly ignored my order.

Turning on my heels, I faced Lady Jocelynn.

“I am not?—”

Shadows filled my mouth, squeezing my throat tight and cutting off my words. Rage filled me as I struggled for air. She was Dark Natured. A Nightcastor, like Beck.

“Is it not exhausting?” she asked. “Carrying on like a juvenile? War is brewing and there are men with a great deal of money and resources who are going to make decisions soon. You have the chance to be a part of those decisions. If you are to represent our kind and this kingdom, you must present yourself respectably. Everything you say, do, and wear should exhibit who you are and what you stand for. You are dirty, reek ofmildew, and look horrendous. Are you going to keep acting like an adolescent, or are you going to bathe and get dressed like a lady?”

Her hand relaxed and the shadows loosened, but still remained near my throat. I considered using my own Nature on her, curious how she would like it.

As my anger died down, shame replaced it. She was right. I’d known since I met Clarke that this would be coming. I could not keep spiraling, or my new life would be no better than my previous one.

Women could be so vicious. The idea of being vulnerable with anyone, especially someone who’d stuffed shadows down my throat, seemed ludicrous. Yet I found myself relaxing. She was just another woman. Dark Natured and trying her best to manage it, like me.

“I don’t know how to put one of those contraptions on, and I prefer to wear clothing that is my own. And when Idopurchase a dress, I’d like it to be a darker color. They look better on me.” My gift to her was honesty.

Lady Jocelynn adjusted her hat, shadows falling away.

“I can help you get one of the dresses on, or I can find a simpler one from my closet while you bathe. It will take the tailor master time to design something more suited to your tastes, but I’m sure he will create something to your liking.”

Our energy shifted.

“I’ll borrow something for today.”

“I shall return to your room shortly, Lady Elorengail.”

She started to walk away, but I was not done. “Lady Jocelynn.”

She stopped in her tracks. “Yes?”

“I go by Elora. You should also know, if you ever put a hand orshadowon me again, I will drown you in a tub of my Nature. Are we clear?”

“As long as you never storm the halls dressed like a soggy rag again, sure.”

She clicked her heels down the hall, and while she attempted to hide her shit-eating grin, I caught it anyway.

Who had bet against her, for her to be so delighted at my compliance?