Chapter 38
At first, I sat in the tea room with Gigi. She clutched her tea with trembling hands, and dark circles lined her eyes. When I spoke to her, she flinched, then gasped.
“Aurelia! You cannot be here. You must wake up!” She gripped my arm, her fingernails digging into my skin as if trying to awaken me with pain.
I shook my head. “I want to be with you, Gigi.”
Gigi leaned close, her blue eyes wild. “If you want to be with me, you must break this curse. Save us. ”
I opened my mouth to speak, but suddenly, the scene changed, and I was standing in the nesting grounds of the Summer Court. Instead of the clan of dragons surrounding me, the forest was empty, save for me and Mal. He looked at me, his brilliant gold eye gleaming while the other remained milky and scarred. Even my dream couldn’t erase that.
“Mal, do you know what’s going on?” I asked.
I only know bits and pieces, Aurelia, his voice resonated in my head.
“How do I do this?” I asked, desperation pulsing through me. “How do I break this curse?”
You must unlock your power.
“You’ve said that before!” I said, growling in frustration. “How do I do that?”
Mal inched closer to me, his eyes shrewd as he surveyed me. You must remember .
My eyes flew open, my pulse racing. My chest heaved with panicked breaths.
I sat up quickly, my head spinning. In my mind, I was still in that forest with Mal. My stomach coiled in dread as I frantically glanced around the room for him.
But I was alone. Not only that, but I was lying in a strange bed in a place I’d never been before. It was some kind of ornate bedchamber with a plush fur rug, several narrow bookcases, and a warm fire crackling in the hearth opposite the bed. Floor-to-ceiling windows revealed slivers of a starry night sky behind the silver drapes.
The Star Court. Of course. I had no idea what time it was, since this kingdom rarely saw the sun. The thought made me feel strangely alone. I missed the sun. I wrapped my arms around myself as if I could hold the fragile pieces of my soul together.
But I was here, and there was no turning back.
My breathing sharpened as I recalled the events from earlier. The ogres. The stone slab. The chanting and the ritual I was almost sacrificed for.
Fenn, in his unholy fury, cutting down the ogres to save me.
And… those three strange witches and their all-seeing eyes.
Welcome home.
We have waited so long for your return.
I shuddered, rubbing my arms to ward off the chill that had nothing to do with the temperature. My gaze fell on the small lavender vial resting on the little table beside my bed.
When you start to remember, we will come.
Those witches had to have been mistaken. Or they were speaking in riddles, as witches often did.
No amount of rationalization could ward off the prickles spreading along my arms. With a sigh, I shoved off the blankets and padded across the room to the wardrobe opposite the wide window.
Only then did I stop and glance up and down my body. I had gotten slashed by ogre claws and sliced with the tight restraints on my wrists and ankles, not the mention sustaining several head injuries. But my flesh was smooth and unblemished; not even a scar marred my freckled skin. While I was unconscious, it seemed someone had bathed and changed me into a clean shift, though I couldn’t be too upset; I had been filthy.
I raised my hands in front of my face, running my fingers along each wrist. Not a single mark. Not even a dull throb of pain.
It was as if the entire incident with the ogres hadn’t happened at all.
Of course, no amount of healing could erase the memories permanently seared into my mind. I closed my eyes, rubbing my temples as I tried to rid my thoughts of that otherworldly chant, of the tall ogre leader and the words he spoke to me.
I shook my head, throwing open the wardrobe doors so loudly one of them banged against the wall, making me flinch. I had to dress, had to get out of this room…
I frowned, glancing out the window again. Where was I? Was this the Court of Twilight, or the Court of Midnight? Fenn had mentioned we would be stopping to visit the Twilight King and Queen first, as they had information about the Dream Mage. But I didn’t think they had magic healers in their court, as half their population was human.
I made my way across the room to the massive window. Millions of stars glittered from the midnight sky, and a glowing crescent moon illuminated the scene below. I was at least three stories high, perhaps more. I could make out a grand courtyard below as well as a vast forest and a sparkling silver river. My breath caught in my throat at the way the water rippled, shimmering in the starlight.
This had to be the Celestial River that Fenn had told me about. Which meant we were in his court.
I swallowed around a lump in my throat, my stomach coiling with unease. We were supposed to announce our presence formally, to share the news of our engagement with the whole kingdom. Not be dragged in, half-dead, with the future Midnight Queen covered in blood and gashes, unable to even greet her people.
I shook my head. I would not be the Midnight Queen. It was all a ruse .
Even so, it gave us a bad image and tainted the facade we were desperately trying to maintain. I had to right this.
I found a rope dangling near the bed and pulled lightly. Within minutes, a handmaid arrived, and I let her into the room. She was a faint, slight figure with black wispy hair and pale green eyes. Her skin was tan, perhaps a shade lighter than Fenn’s. She bobbed a quick curtsy, her eyes darting from me to the floor and back again.
“What can I help you with, miss?” She wrung her hands together and bit on her lip, clearly uncomfortable in my presence.
I didn’t blame her. For centuries, our people had been sworn enemies. I yearned to put her at ease, to comfort her, but I needed to appear the future queen of her kingdom, not her friend.
I had to wear my mask again.
Lifting my chin, I said in a firm voice, “I wish to dress.”
“Of course, miss.” She bobbed another curtsy and bustled over to the open wardrobe. I glanced over her shoulder as she sifted through silver, navy, black, and violet fabrics, so very different from the bright and vibrant colors of the Summer Court. I was accustomed to wearing turquoise and cerulean and forest green.
The maid looked over the silk fabrics, then shot me an uncertain look, no doubt wondering which color would go best with my orange hair, myriad freckles, and rosy complexion.
“What’s your name?” I asked abruptly. I hadn’t planned on saying it, but I couldn’t stand the blatant terror shining in the girl’s eyes.
The maid gaped at me for a moment before squeaking, “Cela.”
I offered a small smile. “My name is Princess Aurelia.”
“I know, miss.”
“Well, Cela, I know this is… a unique opportunity for us both. But I swear I mean you and your people no harm while I am here. I wish to experience the culture of your kingdom and learn more about your customs. Do you think you can help me with that?”
Cela blinked once, then nodded quickly. “Yes, miss.”
“Excellent. I think for now, we should try the navy dress. In the meantime, can I send for a modiste or seamstress to make me a custom gown for the fete tonight?”
Cela’s eyes flared wide. “The… The Summer Princess wishes to attend our fete? ”
I frowned, unsure why this was so shocking. Perhaps Fenn hadn’t yet formally announced our engagement. Choosing my words carefully, I said, “Yes. Prince Fenn has invited me, and I’m most eager to attend. I’ve heard nothing but delightful things about it.”
Cela cleared her throat, wringing her hands together once more. “It is only… Well, begging your pardon, miss, but we have not had our fete in a few weeks now because of the attacks.”
My stomach dropped. Yes, of course, Fenn had mentioned as much. How could I have forgotten? I found myself nodding and saying, “Of course, of course. Forgive me for the presumption. Even so, I would like to get a gown ordered for this evening, if possible. Can you arrange this for me?”
Cela nodded again, pulling out the navy dress and draping it over her arm. “Of course, miss. What color would you like?”
I glanced over the remaining fabric in the wardrobe, considering this. “Something warmer in tone, perhaps?”
Cela nodded, her eyes brightening. “I was thinking as much, miss. Perhaps a soft rose gold, to complement our silvers but also to go with your features as well.”
I beamed at her. “That sounds perfect.” I stepped around her, fingering the soft silk of a silver gown. As I pulled it loose, I looked over the simple design. Two long swaths of fabric covered the bodice, leaving a large space between the breasts and the back completely exposed. There was no corset or petticoats. The skirt seemed to shimmer in the light as I moved it.
I smiled. “Something like this one would do.”
Cela curtsied once more. “Of course, miss. Let me help you out of your shift.”
It took the better part of an hour for Cela to prepare me. The gown itself had been simple to put on; the fabric was light and soft against my skin, with a low-cut neckline, leaving my collarbone bare. The lacy cape sleeves covered my arms, the sparkling fabric extending past my elbows and falling nearly to my feet. Small gaps in the fabric allowed my arms to move freely. The diamond- studded skirt was thin and shifted with every movement, making the gown sparkle.
But my hair took the most amount of time. Cela worked through my tangles, her movements patient and tender. When my hair fell in soft, clean waves down my back, she pinned it up in chunks, securing each curl with a diamond pin until my hair formed an elegant knot at the top of my head. She loosened a few, letting them rest against my cheeks, and then placed a diamond tiara on my head. The final touch was a simple necklace with a long row of diamonds that trailed from my collarbone to the top of my breasts.
It was a bit excessive. I seemed more like a shiny butterfly than anything. But I did indeed look like a queen.
Cela stepped back to admire her work, all unease and uncertainty gone, her hands resting casually at her sides. “A vision, miss. You look like you belong in our court.”
I turned my head from side to side, the diamond earrings swaying as I did so. I looked… almost unrecognizable. I didn’t think the silver and diamonds would suit my skin tone, but with the powder Cela applied to my cheeks, softening the rosiness, it did seem to bring the ensemble together.
“You have done fabulous work, Cela,” I breathed, trying to ignore the knots of anxiety tightening in my chest. “Truly marvelous.”
Cela blushed and curtsied. “Thank you, miss. Shall I show you to the dining hall? I believe a spread of lunch is being served now.”
I rose from the stool, smoothing my hands along my skirts. “Is Prince Fenn there?”
Cela frowned. “I don’t believe so. Last I heard, he and the queen were speaking privately in the throne room.”
My blood ran cold at that. Shit. Queen Sonara was known for her brutal and unforgivable nature. If she and Fenn were speaking privately, that couldn’t be good.
I lifted my chin. “Then, take me to the throne room, please.”
Cela balked. “M-miss, I cannot! There are guards keeping the doors closed to avoid interruptions.”
“All you must do is guide me to the throne room,” I assured her. “ I will take it from there. If the guards turn me away, then so be it. I only ask that you show me the way, and then you can go about your day.”
Cela gnawed on her lower lip as she considered this. After a moment, she nodded once. “Very well, miss. I will show you the way.”