Page 63

Chapter forty-four

Nerys

T he morning after Nerys accepted Adelyna’s offer, she practically pranced to the Kor’yitz’s chambers.

She pushed Qiana’s warnings aside and focused on what was in front of her.

She wasn’t just a lady at court now, she was a lady of the court.

A distinction that guaranteed better seating at dinner—and more headaches.

And if Qiana was to be believed, it also included the potential for a gruesome death. In short, typical for Nerys.

She wore one of the gowns Qiana had altered for her that was made of white satin, with a bodice and underskirt embroidered in blue flowers.

As befitting her new role, she let the maid coif and paint her until she matched the other court women.

Almost. Nerys insisted that all paint be kept on her face alone.

As a final touch, she wrapped several strands of pearls around her neck, a marker of her new role as High Maid.

A servant led her past the guards and into Adelyna’s chambers.

One step inside and Nerys lost her breath.

Though she had been in here before—several times—the Kor’yitz’s rooms never ceased to stun her.

How could someone live in this? She couldn’t comprehend touching half the things here—fine art, fragile glassware, decadent rugs.

.. It made sense, though—with Adelyna as the highest-ranking woman at court, she occupied the R?ll’mal’s 204 rooms. She wasn’t going to live like the rest of the court.

What did the plans at Qiana’s lodge say about these chambers?

Adelyna’s apartments were a series of seven rooms, each one more private than the last, until the final one, which was Adelyna’s bedroom and a connected private washroom.

There was a set of passages that ran along each room for clandestine servants and guards—like in most of the royal chambers—accessible through the unused fireplace in the first room and behind a wardrobe’s interior in the last. Of course, there were other ways to access them, and they were connected to even more passages, but just remembering the palace-layout lessons gave Nerys a headache.

Nerys followed the Kor’yitz’s servant until they came to one that was, unfortunately, very occupied.

Here Nerys faced the four grand guardians of the threshold—Adelyna’s other High Maids.

Each of the decadently dressed and pearl-clad young women stared at her, like they were watching the arrival of a tooth barber.

They kept staring while Nerys curtsied and greeted them. “High Maids.”

The women didn’t move. Did she do something wrong? No, that was the right address. What was it?

Finally, the other women gave her a little bow of their heads.

“Welcome, High Maid Callidora,” they said in unison, without an actual hint of welcome.

A couple of the women gave each other wary glances.

Snobs, the lot of them. Though, a healthy bit of skepticism was warranted on their part—Nerys had gone from being a new arrival at court to one of the most important positions in the heir’s household in a matter of weeks. They were still snobs, though.

“High Maid Callidora, I hope you’re ready to assume the duties necessary,” one lady said, using Nerys’s new title.

The lady in this case was one Lesser Sun Holder Maribelle 205 who had an unnaturally high-plucked forehead.

Oh, that style had better not be coming into fashion—Nerys’s skin hurt just looking at it.

Suddenly, any sign of kindness evaporated from Maribelle’s face.

“We aren’t going to have the time to explain things to you, so you had better learn quickly.

” Not that Maribelle seemed to be the helpful sort anyway.

“I’m prepared,” Nerys said. She was. She beat Calina and Pursil for the role of Spring Maiden in Raven’s Crest two years ago— she could handle these High Maids.

At least, the High Maids wouldn’t throw cow pies or chicken hearts at her.

What else they had at their disposal was another matter entirely.

“Truly?” asked Maribelle. “After all, you are so new here from” ?her nose wrinkled? “Cow’s Dream, is it?”

No, Callidora was not from Cow’s Dream—Cow’s Fancy , thank you very much—but Nerys wasn’t about to give Maribelle the satisfaction.

Especially since they knew damn well who she was—she had met them many times.

Nerys crossed her arms. She had been in Adelyna’s service for less than ten minutes and already she had enough.

“The Kor’yitz asked me to attend to her.

” Nerys stared at Maribelle. “If you have doubts about my abilities, perhaps you should bring them to her. I’m sure she’ll love to hear them. ”

Maribelle narrowed her eyes. “I’ll do that. And when you see the Kor’yitz, make sure that you—”

Footsteps sounded behind Nerys, and the other High Maids dipped into curtsies like pigs diving into a food trough. Nerys turned, and when she saw who it was, followed suit.

“Maribelle,” Adelyna said with a hand on her hip. Like she somehow knew what had transpired. “I expect you have made High Maid Callidora feel welcome.”

“Of course, Your Ascendance,” Maribelle said. Nerys managed not to roll her eyes. Miracles were always possible.

“Good.” Adelyna turned to Nerys, giving her a smile that made her heart skip. “Come, Callidora—follow me. And the rest of you, go find the tailor. He claims to have finished some dresses and I want you to approve them before I waste my time getting fitted.”

“I hope they weren’t too hard on you,” Adelyna said once they reached one of her inner chambers—a private library and reading room.

206 Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with titles of every nature, from the famous romance novel Rohn and Adelyn Fall in Love , to the dry sounding Sock Darning Through the Ages .

Did Adelyna actually read these? Or were these an instrument of decoration, much like the trio of stuffed rabbits’ heads on the wall?

“The others were…about as expected, Your Ascendance.” Adelyna glared at her. “Adelyna,” Nerys corrected.

Adelyna smiled. “That’s better. But ‘as expected’?”

Nerys shrugged. “Tooth barbers have been greeted with more joy.”

A laugh erupted from Adelyna and she shook her head. “That, unfortunately, doesn’t surprise me. You must promise to tell me if they start to be too much.”

Nerys nodded. She wouldn’t tell Adelyna a thing .

With a swift gesture, Adelyna indicated two chairs, so plush as to be the furniture equivalent of chunky baby legs.

“Please, join me for a moment.” While the two of them became situated, Adelyna said, “I know they can be difficult. Don’t let it bother you.

I know it’s easier said than done, but…I want you here.

And so, you will be. That’s all there is to it. ”

“Why do you want me here? Surely, there are more qualified—”

“Enough of that, Callidora. If I cared about ‘qualifications’ I’d have retained my old governess. It pleases me to have you here. Someone who isn’t…them.” Adelyna waived in the direction of the door like fanning away a foul odor.

Strange—Adelyna didn’t seem to be the type to keep women around that she didn’t like, especially in such a personal capacity.

There had to be more to Nerys’s appointment than some distaste for the other women.

But there was a certain level of politics behind the appointments—maybe even a Kor’yitz couldn’t suit herself in everything.

“Of course, Adelyna,” Nerys said. “I’m happy to be here.”

“Now that I don’t believe for a moment.”

Nerys cocked her head. “No?”

“How could you be happy? Dealing with all these rules, these ladies…frankly, Callidora, I owe you for joining me. You won’t be able to escape the court. Ever.” The smile melted off Adelyna’s face. “They won’t make it simple for you. I don’t just mean my other High Maids.”

“How?”

“Well, the rumors they’ll start, for one. You’re going to need skin like stone.”

Nerys flicked her hand. “Oh, don’t worry, my sister’s friends were always the most difficult…”

Sister. The sister Callidora did not have.

“Before she died, that is.” Fuck. Fuuuccck. Nerys tried to keep her face even. The Kor’yitz leaned forward in her seat. Adelyna did not know much about Callidora, maybe she wouldn’t—

“Sword Man Callidora Niveh does not have a sister.”

A cold sheen instantly erupted on her back. Oh fuck. This was bad. But still save-able.

“No, I don’t,” Nerys said, looking downcast. “She died.”

Adelyna’s face went rigid. “Stop. Sword Man Callidora Niveh never had a sister. Did you really think I made an appointment such as this without making basic inquiries? Now, who are you?” Adelyna leaned back and crossed her legs, as calm as if discovering false identities was a regular occurrence. Maybe it was.

“I’m…” Nerys swallowed. Should she lie? It was too late to try.

Her hesitation ruined any point of salvaging the story, or any other.

If she was going to survive this, she was going to have to tell the truth.

Though, what irony—Qiana was so worried about courtiers discovering Nerys’s secret and here she revealed it herself.

There was nothing left but the truth.

“I’m nobody, Lady.” Nerys sighed. “Nobody at all.”

All merriment was gone from Adelyna’s features, and for the first time Nerys caught a glimpse of the stern ruler Adelyna was going to be some day. Gaze hard and unyielding. Posture composed. Tapping fingers on the wooden chair arm the only movement.

“Who sent you?” Adelyna asked. “My brother? It was Aherin, wasn’t it?”

“No.”

“Don’t bother trying to save him. He won’t do the same for you.” Adelyna tapped her nails harder. “And Qiana—she betrayed me too.”

“No—never.”

“Then why would she wield a knife with which to stab me?”

“She isn’t.”

“I should’ve known—”

“She’s trying to save your people!” Too late, Nerys raised her voice. She glanced at the door. Hopefully the other High Maids had left.