Page 17

Clarissa

“ I had no idea we’d be meeting you so soon, Your Majesty. I haven’t had a chance to recover from the journey,” I said quickly, my appalling scent of salt and sweat hitting me in full force.

“Nonsense, you look beautiful. And please, none of that ‘Your Majesty’ here. I’m just Galen.” He turned to my side. “And this must be your mother?”

Mother offered him her hand. “Evadine Aris.”

“I heard you would be joining us. I’m so glad you both could make it.” Galen held out his arm for me to take. I felt Thorne’s icy blue stare on us. For some reason, his body tensed when I wrapped my hand around the sleeve of Galen’s forearm before relaxing once more.

“I’ll show you to your rooms, and we can meet again for dinner tonight to go over details of the tour. How does that sound?” Galen asked, breaking my stare from Thorne.

“Wonderful. Thank you, Galen,” I said as we made our way through the entrance, unable to stop myself from gazing at the high granite columns that lined the walkway. “Your home is beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

A pair of guards held open the grand double doors for us. A sweet floral scent wafted over me as we strolled beneath the archway adorned with white wisteria. The beautiful vines cascaded over the frame and swung in the summer breeze.

I was taken aback by how bright everything here was—this wing of the palace was three or four stories tall, with a ceiling made entirely of glass above us. Natural sunlight shone down on the corridors, a refreshing change from the darkness of my own palace.

“I’m glad you like it. Many generations of Grimalidis have ruled here,” he said, his tone conversational.

As if we were old friends and not two strangers who just met a few seconds ago.

We passed a ballroom, a library, and several other chambers while he rattled off various facts about the different wings.

“And this,” he remarked as we came upon a set of winding stairs, “leads to the Orion Observatory. Named after my father. Perhaps we can go view it sometime.”

“I was sorry to learn about him,” I cut in. “Your father, I mean. From what I understand, his death was unexpected.”

He raised a dark eyebrow at me. “Is that what they’ve told you?”

I faltered. Come to think of it, nobody on the council had actually said how the late King Orion Grimaldi passed at the end of the previous year, just that Mysthelm had reached out about urgent matters.

“I assumed, since your initial contact with us was so…unprecedented.”

For some reason, my words made him uneasy. He rubbed at the back of his neck with his other gloved hand as we proceeded down another hallway.

“Ah, well…his death changed things. But, no, it wasn’t unexpected. My father had been sick for some time with a lung disease he couldn’t seem to shake. It finally claimed his life last fall.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said again. “I know that isn’t easy. I lost my father at a young age.” I stole a glance back at my mother, who was conversing with Thorne behind us. “Is your moth?— ”

“Here we are,” he said abruptly, slathering on a dazzling smile as he brandished an arm toward a pair of large wooden doors at the end of the corridor.

“Your chambers. You and your mother have separate suites, but they’re adjoined in the center.

Your bags have already been brought in, and your lady’s maids will help you prepare for dinner this evening. ”

He’d barely gotten the words out before he was already retreating down the hall. My brow furrowed from the whiplash of the last few moments, but I shook it off. “Thank you,” I called out, catching Galen’s friendly wave, Lady Reaux’s cold smile, and Thorne’s lingering gaze.

When they were out of earshot, I leaned toward Mother and murmured, “Do they seem… off to you?”

“I wouldn’t trust these people further than I can throw them,” she said, turning the gold handle to her door and pushing it open. “But they certainly know how to impress.”

My mouth fell open. The room was like something out of a fairytale.

Floor-to-ceiling windows took up the entire wall across from us and faced the open gardens, giving us a breathtaking view of the sloping fields of flowers and fountains.

Ornate portraits of landscapes hung from the cream walls, and lush, multi-colored rugs lined the floor.

Against the wall to the right rested a bed that could fit five people.

A huge wooden canopy towered above it, with sheer curtains of sky blue twisted around the four-poster frame.

I couldn’t stop myself from skipping over to the adjoining door like a giddy schoolgirl. Pulling it open, I was met with an almost identical room, with undertones of blush instead of blue. And by the door to what I assumed was a bathing chamber stood a wide rack full of gowns.

I may have been the leader of a treasonous rebellion who grew up on scraps and daggers and secrets, but, Fates, did I love pretty things.

Rushing to the opposite side, I ran my fingers along the myriad of fabrics. Sheer tulle, rough beads, smooth silk, and soft velvet. So many colors and patterns, from a low-cut, jeweled dress as dark as midnight, to a floor-length ball gown of gold and white.

“Are these mine?” I asked out loud, taking in the rack with awe.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” a voice responded. “For the tour.”

I jumped backward and clutched my chest. “And who are you?” I asked the two women who had appeared soundlessly at the adjoining door behind me.

“Sorry to frighten you, ma’am,” the dark-haired one on the left said.

“We’re your lady’s maids. I’m Katrine.” She curtsied, holding out her white skirt.

When she rose again, kind brown eyes looked back at me, a hesitant smile on her umber features.

She looked rather young, maybe eighteen or nineteen years old, with a sort of vibrant innocence that made my chest constrict.

I had the sudden urge to tuck this young woman under my wing and shield her from the terrors of this world.

“And I’m Devora,” the other woman said. She inclined her head in respect, red waves like a sunrise cascading down her broad shoulder and swishing above her wide hips.

Bright blue-green eyes met mine. She was closer to my age, perhaps her mid-twenties, if I had to guess.

Her stare was sharp and knowing behind black-rimmed glasses, one side of her thick, red lips quirking up at the end.

“We’re here for anything you may need, anything at all,” Katrine rushed out. “And we’ll be accompanying you on your tour of the kingdom to make sure your journey goes smoothly. You won’t need to so much as lift a finger , Your Majesty.”

I shared a glance with my mother over their shoulders. Her hand was at her mouth to hide a chuckle.

“That’s…great,” I said to the two women, forcing a smile. “You’re very kind. But I promise, I don’t need?—”

“Oh, it’s not a problem, Your Majesty.” Katrine beamed.

“It’s an honor to serve you. I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks .

The Empress of the Veridian Empire, right here in our palace!

” The words were a squeal, and my smile slipped into a wince.

She flew forward and began scrolling through the racks of dresses.

“You can wear any of these you’d like to dinner with the king tonight.

He had a selection picked for you—I even chose some of them myself. ”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Devora, the other maid, flash me a quick smirk before saying, “Katrine, let her settle into the room first, yes?”

Katrine’s cheeks darkened. “Yes, yes, you’re right—I apologize, Your Majesty. We’ll be back soon to help you get ready for dinner. If you need anything, please?—”

“I’ll let you know, I promise,” I assured her. “And please, girls, call me Rissa.”

When Katrine turned to exit, I mouthed “ Thank you, ” to Devora, who merely tipped her head in response and shot me a quick wink.

The door shut with a click. Mother chuckled. “Well, they are going to be a handful, aren’t they?”

I let out a sigh and faced her, walking to where she stood at the door frame separating our rooms. “We’ll deal with that later. First thing’s first,” I started, kissing her once on the cheek before reaching to shut the door between us. “We’re both in desperate need of baths.”