Page 190 of The Chains You Defy

“What do you mean?” Irritated at being pulled out of my darkest revenge fantasies, I glowered at my uncle.

“Crazed because of a female. No one saw that coming.”

“Not even you?”

“No. Although I caught on fast. Quicker than the two of you.”

“Don’t be so sure about that.”

Antas chuckled, and I glared at him. How could he even consider laughing during a situation like this? I bared my teeth at this offense, but he just observed me as if I were an insolent faeling.

First, my eyes transformed to slits, then I shook my head in an attempt to clear my mind. “If we hurry, we’ll arrive tomorrow. So, no more talking.”

Antas gave me one of his looks I couldn’t decipher, but I decided not to care. Instead, I spurred my horse to run faster, ignoring the ever-increasing agony in my chest.

Never have I touched anything softer than the ceremonial gown I was wearing. The off-white fabric resembled silk, but I assumed that the cloth was something else entirely.

The sleeveless corset-style top was cut low and showed a generous amount of cleavage. The skirt consisted of several panels created from the same cloth, shifting with every step, displaying more leg than I would have been comfortable with before I’d arrived at the Cuirt. But I didn’t mind this level of nudity anymore. Instead, I marveled over how cool the material felt on my heated skin, how the white embroidery danced over the finery, and how the tiny glass beads caught and reflected the light.

The other females who waited in the meadow in front of the ritual hall donned almost identical dresses, everyone’s hair was unbound, and no one had applied makeup. The males were bare-chested, and the garments each of them wore resembled the skirts of my gown, only that their panels had been attached to belts riding low on their hips.

A smiling fae male with raven hair sauntered around and gently placed flower crowns on everybody’s heads. Just like everything else, the flowers were cream-colored,and as soon as I’d received my garland, a sweet scent enveloped me.

The giant double doors leading to the ritual hall opened, and, one after the other, we entered. My heart was beating with excitement, and not for the first time in the last few days, I felt like flying.

I accepted a goblet and a small confectionery treat as I stepped inside, like everyone did.

“Nayana, I’m so glad you’re joining us today.”

“Oh Coir, hello. Yes, I’m delighted to be here.”

“Are you nervous?”

“Slightly. But only because I’m clueless about what to do.”

“You’ll do great, dear. Remember, we all love you.”

Heat flowed through me, and to cover my awkwardness due to the compliment, I took a generous sip of my drink. Flavor invaded my senses, like fruit and flowers and so much more. My eyes widened, and I had to take another mouthful, then another, until I’d drained my goblet.

Gods, I wanted more.

“Easy, Nayana.”

“Oh, that’s so tasty. Can I get a refill?”

“That’s not for me to decide. Cantarlann granted you already so much more than he allowed everyone else.”

“Why?”

Coir just laughed, and I stared at her mouth in fascination. Had I ever noticed before how delicate the arch of her upper lip was?

“Nayana, why don’t you ask Cantarlann if he has another glass of Laiga for you? See, he’s waving at you. You should go over.”

There was no reason not to follow Coir’s suggestion, and so I floated to the fae male, who scanned me from head to toe.

“How are you, sweet thing?”

“So good. And that juice was extremely flavorful.”