40. Chapter 40
Chapter forty
I moved sluggishly as Sin guided me back toward the main city square in search of a dress. Despite Sin’s assurances that he had plenty of Rivellan coin and I could pick out whatever I liked, I just couldn’t summon any excitement. Maybe it was learning about my father’s lies. Maybe it was the unease from spending money on a fancy dress while surrounded by people who could barely feed themselves. Likely it was both.
Either way, I made myself focus long enough to pick out a somewhat plain but still adorable long-sleeved forest green dress with a plunging sweetheart neckline and a baby blue chemise underneath. The silver lacing up the front had the tiniest floral details on it and a matching ribbon tied around the elbows in case I wanted to wear it with the sleeves gathered up. Not that I would be doing that anytime soon.
I tucked the linen-wrapped dress under my arm as we exited the shop. Holding up a hand to block the bright light, I cursed when I saw both suns high in the sky. “We need to go back to the castle. Now.”
Sin frowned. “What’s going on?”
“I have a stupid fitting for my ball gown. I was supposed to be back by the afternoon, but I lost track of time.”
We raced through the city, and by the time we reached the tunnel entrance, sweat coated my neck and back. Slipping through the small gap in the rock, I stared into the ascending blackness before me. We needed light, and I was too frazzled for Sin’s previous method to work.
“Come on,” he said, pulling me along into the dark. “You said anger works, yeah? So think about your father. Think about all the lies he’s told you. Think about the people of Civi Obsura living in poverty while he lives in a castle made of diamonds.”
It was the diamond reminder that did it, and I dropped Sin’s hand as my fire sparked to life.
The hike back to the castle took an interminably long time, and Sin had to keep pausing to calm my rising panic. There was no telling what my father might do if he couldn't find me.
I released my grip on my flames as we neared the end of the tunnel, and Sin raised a finger to his lips, instructing me to hold back. I was already far too late, but we couldn’t risk exposure. So I waited. And waited. Until eventually he gave me the all clear.
We raced out of the cavern and into the hallway, pausing only when we knew we were out of earshot. Sin wrapped me up in his arms and pressed a fast yet intense kiss to my lips that left me lightheaded.
“I need to make sure my soldiers are prepared for this evening,” he said. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
I cast him one last longing look, then tore up the stairs.
“Where have you been, Raynella?” my father roared as I burst into my room.
Well, this couldn’t be good. Not only were Dey and the seamstress already there, but my father stood in front of the hearth, red-faced and looking like he was about to explode.
He crossed the room and grabbed me roughly by the shoulders. “Do you have any idea how terrified we have all been? You were not in the Sylvarium nor could we find you anywhere in the castle.” He paused to catch his breath, and I could see it wasn’t anger driving his intensity but fear. Doubtful it was for me, though. Most likely it was for his plans going awry if something happened to me.
“We thought someone had taken you. Or you were lying injured, possibly dead somewhere. Raynella, I…” He registered how tightly he held my arms and loosened his grasp. Taking a step back, he ran his hands smoothly over his brocade gold and silver mantle . “I cannot lose you, Raynella. Where were you? And why is your tunic burnt?”
I took a step back from my father and set the package with my gown on the dresser. “I’m sorry. I was bored in the Sylvarium so I went to go watch Peywyn training in the arena. She was working with an igniservian, things got a little intense, and I caught a couple embers on my tunic. I’m sorry I scared you, but I wanted to see how the elemental magic worked so that I would be ready when mine manifested.” I dropped my eyes and added, “if it ever does,” in a sad, pathetic voice hoping it might distract him.
Males were far too easy to manipulate because my father sighed and pulled me into an uncomfortable hug. “It will, Raynella. Give it time.”
The feeling of his arms around me caused bile to rise in my throat, and it took everything inside me to endure his touch.
To my relief, he kept the embrace short. “I must go. The other courts will be arriving shortly. You were supposed to be at my side to greet them, but there is no time to prepare you. Carry on with the dress fitting, and I will see you at dinner.”
He gave me a peck on the forehead before leaving, and I was proud of myself for not visibly shuddering.
I walked over to the seamstress and said in English, “I’m really sorry I’ve wasted your time as well. I didn’t mean any disrespect to you, and I’m excited to see my dress that you have created.” I cast an expectant look at Dey over my shoulder, waiting for him to translate.
He shook his head at me, probably still annoyed that I had got him in trouble with my father. Turning to the seamstress, he spoke to her in Rivellan. “She says that she is sorry and would like to see her dress.”
I kept my expression neutral as Dey took liberties with my apology.
“She is lucky that she is the king's daughter, or I would never accept this insult,” the seamstress spat out. “Especially not from a disgusting half-breed.”
My teeth clenched together so hard I thought I might crack a tooth, but I just smiled and reached out to take my dress from her.
Ignoring me, the seamstress tossed the gown on the bed. “She will wear the dress as it is made. I do not have time to make alterations now. Is she not aware that I have other outfits to make for the ball?” She slammed the door hard as she left, accentuating her point.
Dey retrieved the dress and held it out for me. “She said the dress should be fine, and no alterations are needed.”
I nodded. “Okay,” I replied, as if I believed his words completely.
“Would you like to try it on?”
I slipped the dress into the wardrobe. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. I was actually hoping for a little privacy. I need to take a shower. It was a bit hot and dusty in the arena.”
“Of course.” Dey stood up, but instead of leaving, he approached me and placed his hands lightly on my shoulders. “Please do not disappear on me again, Princess. I have never known fear like I did today. If anything were to happen to you…”
Dang. He was either the world’s best liar, or he genuinely had been worried for me.
“I’m sorry,” I said, and to my surprise I actually meant it.
Dey left me alone after that, and I immediately dove to the floor to check under the bed. Four tiny little eyes peered back at me, and I sagged in relief. Something glimmered in the dark next to them, and I let out a laugh at the pile of treasure under my bed. Three of my diamond hair pins, a pair of earrings, a hair tie, and the lip gloss from my purse sat in a pile beside the crescia.
“Okay, little thieves,” I said laughing. “I see what you do when I’m gone all day. Come on, it’s safe to come out now.” I left their bounty under the bed and placed the pile of nuts and seeds I’d snagged at breakfast onto the nightstand, hoping they wouldn’t add it to the pile and attract bugs. Opal made a beeline for the food, but Jenni crawled onto my leg and dug her talons deep into the fleshy part of my thigh.
“Ouch! That's too rough.”
“Scared,” she said inside my head, all four of her tails swishing angrily.
I ran a hand down her spine, careful to avoid her delicate wings. “I’m sorry Jenni, I’m sure his shouting scared you.”
“Scared for Rain. ”
I gently extricated her talons from the fabric of my leggings and set her on the nightstand by Opal. “You don’t need to be scared for me, Jenni. I know my father is awful, but he won’t hurt me. He needs me to fulfill the prophecy.”
“Jenni protect Rain. ”
“That’s right. I’m safe so long as I have you.” I nuzzled the side of her face with my nose.
A loud commotion out in the courtyard pulled my attention away from the sweet moment. Drawing back my curtains, I saw a procession of people making their way into the castle. Diamond Court guards, dressed in their standard burgundy uniforms with swords at the ready, formed two lines on either side of the courtyard that had been covered with banners to cut down on the intensity of the diamond's glare. A gaggle of courtiers had parked themselves behind the guards, craning their necks to get a good look at the newcomers.
The Gold Court arrived first, their young-looking king a gleaming beacon of bronzed skin covered in gold chains that highlighted the ramentum decorating his arms and chest. Four guards marched in crisp formation behind him, their pristine white tunics and breeches covered with an elaborate gold brocade stitching that put our guard’s relatively plain uniforms to shame.
Behind their angelic blond ruler trailed a line of what I assumed to be their competitors for the games. Two by two, they kept steady pace, each of them outfitted in similar white and gold attire save for the addition of two black sashes accented with golden chainmail crossing their chests.
They all looked so regal with their heads held high, their backs straight, and one hand resting on the golden pommel of their identical swords. They had two females among their competitors, and I was surprised to see one of them with gray hair and wrinkles. Apparently skilled magic beat out physical prowess.
The Silver Court followed shortly after, and the difference between the two courts was like night and day. While the Gold Court was all shiny golden light, the Silver Court was darkness personified.
Their king cut a terrifying image as he made his way into the castle. He had to be older than my father, with a long gray beard that hung halfway down his chest. The hair on his head was pitch black, though, and I wondered if they had hair dye here. I guess vanity spanned all the universes. He wore a long, sleeveless black and silver robe that hung open in front to show off his ramentum. A nervous looking guard held the bottom of the garment off the ground, and the king's vicious scowl could give Sin a run for his money.
Tearing my eyes away from their king, I scanned the competitors lined up behind him. They also entered two by two, but none were dressed the same. If the Gold Court valued conformity, then the Silver Court valued individuality. And lack of clothing. All of the competitors were clad in scraps of silver and black fabric that showed off far more pale skin than seemed necessary. One female clutching the arm of the male beside her wore little more than a silver chain bikini and a few wisps of black chiffon that hung from her waist. She had the body to pull it off so kudos to her.
Behind them were two of the strangest looking Vitaeans I had ever seen. Both wore translucent, shapeless black frocks that covered their entire bodies from head to toe yet still allowed their skin to show through, revealing their dark undergarments and assortment of thin silver chains wrapped around their legs and arms. A solid black strip of cloth covered their eyes, yet I never once saw their steps falter.
My eyes drifted past that couple to the two males behind them. One was surprisingly scrawny and wore his black robe open at the chest with a pair of black and silver breeches underneath, but it was the male beside him that had me shuddering. He wasn’t so much a male as an oversized marble statue brought to life. He wore nothing but a pair of black calf-high boots and tight black shorts that would look obscene even on a beach. His entire body was rippling, overinflated muscle that was far too veiny and bloated to ever be considered attractive. Thick silver chains hung from his neck, and I could hear them clinking all the way from my bedroom. I gasped as he looked toward my window and his lecherous gaze tracked me watching him. He blew me a kiss, and I nearly gagged.
Moving away from the window, I let the curtains fall into place. I would see more than enough of them at dinner tonight.