Page 28

28

VARIOUS LAYERS

Darina

I can't stop looking at the dress. It's not so much a dress as a piece of art, woven from silk so fine I imagine it feels like a cloud. At the bottom, it's night, dark and switched with stars, then the tulle skirt slowly morphs to day as my gaze moves up.

The bustier is leather and iron, each piece coated with gold to ensure it doesn't harm my skin even through the fabric. The shoulders are covered with soft feathers, falling into a cape that look like my nixie's wings, but the high collar, ending in a harsh point, certainly doesn't suggest softness.

The dress says a million things.

"How did you have something like that made so fast?"

"I got them to start the moment you accepted my service," Relva tells me. "Every stylist worth a dime got one piece done, and I had the best of the best put it together for you. You can't keep wearing your mother's old things, not for the coronation."

"It must have cost a fortune."

"It did. He paid the gold," Relva announces happily, tilting her head toward Ryther, who shrugs like it's of no consequence. "But you'll have to pay the favors. Each tailor who worked on the dress can come to court and ask for one boon."

I raise an eyebrow, not liking this.

"It's the custom," Ryther assures me. "They'll all ask for very little, and you'll have to over pay, in order to force the favor back onto them."

"Why is everything so complicated with you guys?"

"You mean us, darling," Loch retorts, smirking.

I narrow my eyes at my brother suspiciously. Honestly, since hearing of his dalliance with Rachel, I've observed them both, and I'm concerned.

Rachel looks…enthralled. Longing. Desperate for his attention. He must be very good in the sack—something I force myself not to think about—considering the animosity these two exchanged just yesterday.

I warned her not to try him. I should also have warned him not to hurt her, apparently.

"Yes, us. Would that we were simpler creatures."

"We are rather simple. We don't lie. We don't like debts. And we're easily bored."

Is he already bored of Rachel, I wonder? Well, so long as he's not playing her.

"Someone is going to have to help me get into this thing. How does it even work?"

"I'll dress you," Relva offers, turning to my sister. "I could actually use an extra pair of hands, to hold the corset while I tie it."

The guys take their leave to get ready themselves, and the girls help me out of my training gear, and into that dress, which can also be called armor.

I clear my throat as Rachel faces me, not quite looking me in the eyes. "So, Loch?" I say pointedly.

I watch her cheek turn beet red. "Christ, does everyone know?"

"He didn't gossip, if that's what you wonder."

I decide not to mention Caenan informed me; he wasn't gossiping either. "You were rather obvious, staring at him," I say, instead, as it happens to be true.

She grunts. "Yeah, well. That just happened. I couldn't sleep, and he had wine. We drank and he fucked me to sleep, I guess."

She makes herself shrug casually.

“Nothing serious between you?” I press.

I honestly don't think it is, at least for him, and I hope she realizes as much.

“ God no. I’d like to be happy. I don’t think Loch would ever be content with something as simple as happiness.”

I smile indulgently. “You’re likely right.”

“You were right too, when you said I was settling for Ben,” she says after a second. “Taking what I could get. In our world, men aren’t particularly interested in girls like me. I’m the norm. Here, they look at me. Some are seriously creepy, but at least I get noticed."

"You were always beautiful, Rachel," I tell her. "I'm sorry you didn't see that. And if Loch helped you realize it, then I'm glad."

Flushing harder, she adds. "I suppose I also get why you and your guy were so…into it yesterday. I mean, it looked like he was choking the life out of you. But fairies are intense, huh?"

Oh, dear. "Yes, they are.And I think some of them aren’t as twisted as others. Us," I reword.

Relva snorts, no longer able to ignore the conversation. "Nah, we're all twisted. Some are just better at hiding it. There, all done."

"How do I look?" I ask, smoothing the fabric with my hands.

"Scary," Rachel replies.

At the same time, Relva says, "Beautiful."

"Scary beautiful it is," I quip with a smile.

"I wouldn't dress your hair much. It'll be easier to set the crown."

Relva only braids half of it down to keep it into place.

She does, however, powder my face, with whites and reds and kohl and a smooth pot of something like lipstick, except she uses it to make my cheekbones look sharper.

When she's done, I recognize myself; it's not the kind of makeup I'd wear to a party, made to highlight my best features. It covers and reshapes them, making me look different.

Powerful .

I wouldn't mess with someone with that face. And that's exactly what I want, what I need to project right now.

"I have no idea what I'd do without you," I tell Relva.

All of them have been helpful to me in their own way, and essential, but I feel like Relva understands me and what I need more than anyone else. Maybe because she's a woman. Maybe because she's the least powerful, and therefore the one who's worked harder for her place. Ryther's the king; Caenan, his second, and often his replacement at court; Loch does whatever he wants, and is owed favors by anyone who's anyone. Relva may be a princess, but I don't think she has much direct power.

I've barely seen her, busy as she's been preparing everything, and so far everything she's had her hand in has been perfect.

"You do know that I will repay my debt to you," I say earnestly. "What do you want that I can give?"

She smiles. "There'll come a time my mother will die. My siblings will squabble over who will succeed her."

"You want her crown?" I guess.

"I want your protection. All your siblings died at each other’s hand when your mother fell. The sea court is a little less dramatic, but there's no love lost between us."

"And you wouldn't want to rule it yourself."

She wrinkles her nose. "It sounds like rather a lot of work. I wouldn't mind a spouse ruling something of consequence, I suppose. But I'm interested in party planning and fun, myself. For now, I'm more than happy to serve you. You're certainly the most entertainment we've had in ages in Ilvaris."

Entertainment. Given the last few days I've had, it's baffling to hear her say it.She's not being insensitive, exactly, just very direct. Fae.

"Well, you're a lady of the high court. Of course, you'll have my full support and protection. As long as I'm alive by then, that is."

"So here's to keeping you that way another day!"