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Chapter thirty-eight

Adelyna

T hree days later, Adelyna was staring at Callidora yet again. How could someone so exquisite—beautiful and witty—remain in Cow’s Fancy without being whisked off?

The two of them were walking outside of the palace in one of the winter gardens.

In these, the fallen ice and snow balanced on statues to make winter art, creating serene beauty while the world was dead.

Adelyna had taken this walk hundreds of times, with dozens of women, and yet, her throat was dry, and not from the cold.

And not just from what was at stake. The Kor’yitz, heir to the Ca’mailian throne, was nervous that Callidora would reject the position of High Maid—a position that guaranteed she’d be around Callidora for most of her waking hours.

Plenty of time for her to learn what part Callidora had in this.

Of course, for Callidora to accept, Adelyna would have to ask her first.

“What do you mean you don’t like dancing?” Adelyna asked, working towards the question. “Every woman loves dancing.”

“Not I,” Callidora said, adjusting the hood of her cloak. Flurries fell from the sky, sending a few flakes to rest on Callidora’s cheeks. Adelyna had to resist brushing them off.

“Why ever not?”

“Oh, what’s the worst part? The fact that we have to contort ourselves in these ridiculous contraptions?” Callidora jutted out her hoopskirts for emphasis. “That dancing shoes are not made with foot happiness in mind? Or the fact that dancing involves touching every sweaty palm at court?”

Adelyna grinned. “Point made. But surely some of those sweaty palms are worth touching, considering the handsome bodies they’re attached to.”

“Some. But it doesn’t make it worth smelling those bodies.”

Adelyna erupted in laughter. “It’s not so bad as that—but I agree on the shoes.

Didn’t you dance in Cow’s Fancy?” She had to have.

The dossier Adelyna had read on Callidora before deciding to make this offer—the position was too important to permit any surprises—had a fair amount of information, even if it was somewhat incomplete.

Callidora’s social circle included other relatively well-born people for the area, which meant dancing.

“Of course, but it was simpler there. We didn’t dress like this. And the dances were easier.”

Adelyna nodded. “I can see that. Did you dance with the locals?”

“Who else?” Callidora smirked, highlighting her brilliant blue eyes. “Was I supposed to dance with cows?”

“That would explain why the town’s sausage is excellent.”

Now Callidora laughed, sending a crystalline sound through the courtyard, making several courtiers turn toward them.

Adelyna could only imagine the disapproval that would result from asking Callidoria to be her High Maid.

She’d have to watch over Callidora, make sure that the court didn’t become too much for her to handle.

No point in scaring her off before she obtained what she needed—knowledge about her demon.

Callidora saw something in Adelyna’s expression and stopped walking. “What is it?” she asked in that beautifully blunt manner of hers.

“I have something to ask.”

The blood drained from Callidora’s face. Fuck, Adelyna didn’t want to scare her. “No, no, it’s nothing bad. Please—I have a question for you.”

Callidora relaxed—but not by much. “Alright. What is it?”

“Would you. I mean” ?Adelyna fidgeted? “I was wondering…”

“Yes?”

“Would you be willing to become one of my High Maids? 193 ”

“Me? Did you say High Maid?” Callidora’s eyes widened.

“Yes.” Adelyna smiled.

“I’m not a courtier.”

“You are now.”

“I just arrived at court.”

“Meaning you haven’t picked up their irritating habits.”

“I’m not important enough. I’m only a Sword Man.” Callidora shook her head, sending a dark blonde curl out from under her cloak’s hood. Adelyna gripped Callidora’s shoulders before she knew what she was doing. Then her breath caught as Callidora fell silent and looked into her innocent eyes.

“That’s for me to decide,” Adelyna announced, “and me alone.”

They stood like that for a moment. Hopefully Callidora would say “yes”—Adelyna needed someone like her, for more than one reason.

Her own women, while capable, were born courtiers.

She needed someone fresh, someone who wasn’t afraid of her…

She needed someone who would be her friend.

Damn the demon—why couldn’t Adelyna just admit it?

She wanted to do this regardless. The demon was just a wonderful excuse.

“It would change everything for me,” Callidora whispered. Yes, it would. As a High Maid, Callidora would be tugged into the thicket of royal life—complete with all the thorns.

“I know.” Adelyna took her hands back from Callidora, missing her warmth. “I should’ve asked Qiana first since she is your guardian, but I thought your opinion mattered. Before anything else. Take some time—think. I’m happy to approach Qiana when it is time.”

Callidora nodded, and then the two of them continued walking along the path. “I will consider it. It’s an honor to be asked.”

Adelyna nodded, the matter settled. For now. She leaned towards Callidora as if telling her a secret. “Well, while you think about my offer, tell me—which of those courtiers do you think was found in an intimate embrace with Noland last night?” Adelyna nodded towards a group of staring nobles.

“Noland?” Callidora’s eyebrow crept up. “The R?ll’s jester?” Adelyna smiled, which Callidora returned with a grin. “Oh, let me guess. This could be very interesting.”