17. Emilia
Chapter 17
Emilia
T imas shows me to a set of rooms just beside his own. Similar large arched oak doors lead into a grand space. Timas’ suite has a few different rooms; however, this one has one large area with a bathing room and walk-in closet attached. It’s breathtaking.
“This is for me?” Timas stands behind me as I take everything in.
“Of course, my flower. Everything that is mine is yours.” I can’t help but snort at that in disbelief
“Riiiiiight. Timas, that’s ridiculous. We have yet to be bonded and even still, you run a kingdom! I’m just…”
“What, my other half?” It’s still so hard to understand. How is he so confident in knowing I am meant to be with him?
“I’ve said before, my darling, you may not understand right now, but I will prove that I will not change my mind. You are worth more than the stars in the sky, and if I weren’t so sure you wouldn’t run away, I would bond you right now.” His gaze is intense, and he assesses every part of me. It’s clear that I am what he wants, but on the inside, I have doubts. He walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. He is at least a head taller than me, so he puts his chin on my head. Why do I feel so protected in his embrace?
Turning back around, I look at the room again. Large arched windows look out on the cherry blossom grove behind the palace. From here, you can see a portion I missed exploring: a waterfall feature that flows into a small pond and finds its home among the trees. The room has a cozy space to sit by a marble fireplace, which must be fantastic during the colder months. But what grabs my attention is the large bed with a sheer canopy above it. It looks like you can fall and melt into the blankets. I have never slept on anything like that before.
“Timas, it’s beautiful–I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I am just happy to give you the place you deserve. Of course, this will be your personal room after the wedding, but you will be sleeping in our room with me.” He kisses the side of my head, which warms me right through. How can I go from feeling protected and safe to this deep desire for him?
“Now, I need to meet with the council. Apparently, they have more to say.” Turning around in his arms, I wrap my arms around his waist.
“What’s the council?”
“The council is a group of five representatives who help advise me on court issues. They are there to help give a different perspective and help the King with accountability. They don’t have any power to change anything for the most part, but have been a respected part of the Day Court monarchy for generations. Unfortunately, they are not happy about the human noble guests, so they have taken to complaining about them… often.”
“Hmm… what are they going to think about this?” I wave between the two of us.
“They will be happy to hear I have found my spirit bond, but one or two of them might have a problem with you being human. But you don’t need to worry about that. Right now, your job is to rest and relax. You have had a very long and tiring day. I have requested a local dressmaker to stop by to show you some clothing. You need to pick something to wear to the ball tomorrow, where I can finally tell the world I am one hundred percent taken.” He leans down, placing his lips on mine. Overwhelmed by the moment, I wrap my arms around his neck and push my hands into his hair. He softly hums in agreement, deepening the kiss further as his hands travel over my back, neck and shoulders. His caresses melt away the residual anxiety from the day as his hands grasp my waist, holding us together— but eventually, he slows our kiss and pulls away, giving an agitated sigh.
“I do not want to go.” He pouts like a child, which makes me laugh out loud. It’s sweet that he wants to stay with me. Honestly, I would like him to stay, too. In such a short time, he has become someone I can depend on. But more than that, he has become someone I enjoy being with .
“The sooner you get done, the sooner you can return.” I smile up at him, hoping to show him how much I also enjoy his company. He groans, kisses me on the lips softly once more, and turns to leave. But just as he is leaving, I hear him mutter to himself.
“This is going to be a real problem.” I have no desire to stop the smile that travels up my lips, still warmed by his.
True to Timas’ word, a wonderful older Fae woman shows up at my door with her assistant in tow, holding piles of dresses.
“Hello, my lady. I am here to show you my wares! The King requested my finest fabrics, so I brought most of them. If you want something I don’t have, I will gladly make it for you.” Her bright smile makes me feel comfortable, but that honorific does not.
“Please, it’s just Emilia. Thank you so much for coming to me. Let me help you with those.” She tuts and waves her hand, telling me to relax.
“Nonsense, I couldn’t in good conscience call you anything other than what you are: a lady, according to the King.” She walks into the space and lays out gown after gown on the bed and the armchair, and somehow, some hang from the open doors. They are all beautiful. There is a green one with gold lining and a red one with silver accents. A pink one that has sheer flowing arms, but the one that pulls my attention is the blue one. It is a deep, celestial blue, but if you look at just the right angle, silver sparkles in the sunlight .
“You like this one?” The woman picks up the blue dress from the bed and holds it for me to see.
“It looks amazing.” She smiles sweetly at me.
“The royal blue! I’m sure the King will find it pleasing.” Ushering me over to the bathing room, she helps me slip it on. The long arms billow with my movement, while the sheer material makes it comfortable and breathable. As I expected, the skirt flows beautifully, like it is floating in the air. I didn’t notice before, but the bodice is intricately embroidered with silver thread, and with each slight movement, it shines. It is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen, let alone worn. The material is much softer than anything Lady Dahlia wears. Her gowns are more stiff and, though beautiful, don’t seem to be all that comfortable.
“You look beautiful, my lady.” Looking in the mirror at her, I can’t help but smile at the compliment. I feel like another person. The woman standing in the mirror is not the same woman who roamed across the continent, determined to save her father. She isn’t even the woman who enjoyed her quiet, content life in the village. This woman has spent the past year pretending to be someone she is not, hoping for a better day. The dark circles under my eyes are prominent against the beauty of the dress. It feels like I’m pretending, yet again, to be something I am not. I don’t know who I am anymore, but Timas seems to see past all of that. Patting down the fabric, I marvel at the hard work that went into making it .
“You are very talented. This is a stunning dress.” The older Fae woman tuts again and continues to adjust the skirt fabric.
“Stop it, dear, you’ll make me blush. Shall we try another one? Or is this the one you wish to wear to the ball tomorrow?” Twisting in the mirror, I take in another angle of the dress.
“I like this one. I want to wear this one.” She smiles and claps her hands together in excitement.
“Let me just take a few measurements and get this adjusted to fit you.” She pulls out a bag full of sewing supplies and gets to work.
I was the one adjusting Lady Dahlia’s clothes just yesterday. It feels surreal that I am standing in my own suite in a Fae palace, soon to be bonded to the Fae King. I don’t deserve to be in this position, and a part of me is saying there will be many who will be upset by it as well, but I need to focus on the present. The sooner the ball begins and ends, the sooner we can rescue my father. That is the most pressing issue right now. Now, to figure out how to dance.
***
Timas briefly stopped in last night to eat with me, but he was soon off to deal with more court matters. He stopped in briefly again this morning before he was off doing… well; I guess important kingly things. The ball is only a few hours away, and I have been assigned some lady’s maids to help me get dressed. One of the women, Sylphina, has been the easiest to be around .
“My lady! You have such beautiful hair! The brown curls complement your beautiful eyes!” She is young, or at least young for a Fae person. She said she was only one hundred eighteen and a half. After I stopped gapping at her, she laughed and told me that was equivalent to a nineteen-year-old human.
“Thank you, Sylphina.” Her happy and excited energy has helped the dressing process immensely, but it all still feels odd. I feel alone in a lot of ways. Timas has been gone, and Garrick has been who knows where. I haven’t seen Father in well over a year, and the only other person I have felt close to is Sigrid, and I haven’t seen her since yesterday.
“My Lady, why are you so sad?” I need to work on not showing my emotions on my face.
“It’s not that I’m sad per se, I am just missing a friend and family.” Sylphina finishes pulling my hair back and pinning it with silver pins that match my dress perfectly.
“Maybe I can go find them? I know this must be very hard for you; the King said you are not acquainted with Fae customs. I am here to make your life as easy as possible, whatever I can do.” Her innocent smile hits me harder than I expected. She has so much life, so much happiness.
“I doubt that, but thank you. I really appreciate you helping me today.” Someone knocks on the door, and Sylphina leaves the room to answer it. Walking back into the main room, I see Milori standing at the door. He spots me and bows slightly. The other lady’s maid looks shocked at the display. Maybe it’s not common to bow. Should I have bowed? I need to ask what to do in these situations.
“Emilia, you look radiant.” Milori is such a fun person to be around, and instantly, my self-doubts float away.
“If I recall correctly, the last time you complimented me, an angry animal growled behind a bush.” I can’t help but raise an eyebrow and try to hide my smile.
“Ah, it did, didn’t it? After you left, he flung me into a rose bush. Two of them, actually. I still feel the thorns sometimes when I move, like phantom reminders.” He shutters, and I laugh. It feels good to laugh.
“Is Timas coming?” I have missed him today. Now that I don’t have work to distract me, I can’t help but think about what he is doing and where he might be.
“Not yet, but he has sent me to tell you that he will be here to pick you up for the ball and is looking forward to it. You should have seen him like a little puppy jumping up and down.” Another full belly laugh escapes me. I can’t imagine Timas, the elegant and handsome man he is, jumping up and down like a puppy, but the imagery is charming. Milori seems to be enjoying poking fun at his best friend’s expense, especially when Timas can’t do anything about it.
“And if Timas were to hear you giving away his secrets…” Milori just grins.
“He might make me go for another flying lesson, but seeing as I am in my official uniform, let’s not tell him.” Sylphina has pulled out the gown and is in the middle of laying it out when the smile fades from my face. I have to stand before the entire Day Court and be presented as Timas’ Spirit Bond.
“Sylphina, Ysella, give us a moment.” The two women bow to Milori and exit the room. I should feel nervous being alone with a man who is not Timas, but he feels more like a brother than anything else.
“Having a hard time adjusting, are you?” I half laugh and sigh in one breath.
“How can you tell?”
“You wear everything you think on your face. I am seriously surprised you have been a spy for as long as you have.” The laugh this time is sad.
“Desperation. It’s amazing what you will do for those you love.” The chair by the fireplace calls to me, so I sit and look at the intricate tapestry hanging on the wall above it.
“This all feels a little unreal. Like I’ll wake up, and it will all be a dream. I can’t seem to reconcile the two lives I feel like I’m living. Part of me loves being able to show up to the ball tonight on Timas’ arm, showing everyone I am falling… falling for this amazing man, but the other part of me feels like I am betraying my father. While he is held captive, living in who knows what kind of place, I am living in this grand palace with the finest of foods and clothes.” Milori takes the seat opposite me and lays his ankle on his knee.
“It’s alright to feel conflicted. This isn’t exactly a typical experience. But we will get your father back, I promise. Timas will go to the ends of the earth for you. ”
“And yet I haven’t seen him all day.” The words leave my mouth, and I know how childish they sound–it’s unreasonable to expect him to always be with me. I guess I truly do miss him.
“It seems the bond is having an effect on you. Definitely not as bad as Timas, but still.”
“What do you mean?” Worry fills my stomach as concern for Timas fills me.
“Oh, nothing to worry about besides him being extra grumpy, which is saying something for him. He has been itching his arms like crazy. He says when he is not near you, his body feels tight and uncomfortable. That will all subside once you are bonded.” My cheeks flush at the thought of being bonded to Timas.
“I supposeI just feel alone. Garrick is somewhere. My father is, well, you know where he is, and I’m alone.” Milori looks at me thoughtfully.
“He is very disappointed he can’t be with you, and I know anything I say in Timas’ defence might sound like how you feel doesn’t matter, but it does. Timas has been dealing with another murder in the city, and with the human nobles still around, the council is on edge about the possible ramifications of one of them being targeted. But he can explain all that to you. As for you being lonely, I have an idea.”
The doors to my suite open, and Sylphina and Sigrid walk in. Jumping to my feet, I race over to the woman who has become a mother figure to me and wrap her in my arms .
“What are you doing here?” Pulling away but still holding onto her, I wait for her answer.
“Well, it seems that a certain someone is the spirit bond to the King.” I didn’t know what to say to her, so I decided to just say it.
“I’m sorry I lied to you, Sigrid. There is a lot going on that I haven’t been able to tell you, and…I’m just so sorry. I never meant to lie to you.” Guilt twists in my chest. She has been nothing but wonderful to me, and all I’ve done is lie.
“So you didn’t see Ethan a couple nights ago… you saw the King?” I nod my head, slightly embarrassed at the truth of it.
“Thank goodness!” she pats her hand on her chest, laughing. I, on the other hand, am confused. “Ethan is a nice boy, and though it might have been a good match, this one is far better.” She lightly taps me on the cheek.
“Now it’s time to get you ready, yes?” Still in shock, I sputter with my words.
“What are you talking about? Aren’t you supposed to be helping Lady Dahlia?” She weaves around me to the bed where the dress is still lying. Turning back to me with a big smile, I can’t believe what she says next.
“She is likely running around yelling at someone, but it is not me. This handsome man came to talk to me today and offered me a job for much better pay, and you should see the room he gave me! It has a huge bed! Not as big as this one, but still!” Still slightly confused, I look over at Milori, who is dusting off his jacket, acting like he is the best thing that has happened to us .
“What is she talking about, Milori?” He finishes pretending to dust his jacket and smiles at me.
“Timas anticipated you would be lonely. As I said, he is disappointed he can’t be with you himself as often as he would like. He figured you might enjoy having someone you care about around, so he has hired Ms. Sigrid here to be your attendant and confidante. She is not required to do the tasks of a lady’s maid, but she is to be here for you. Timas cares about you deeply, Emilia.” I’m overwhelmed by how thoughtful he is.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“All Timas. Though I will tell him I told you it was my idea. It will send him spinning! This will be fun.”
Milori leaves and closes the door behind him. Turning back to Sigrid, she smiles and holds up the dress.
“Ready?” Nodding, I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the night.