Her heavy winter hood had fallen back, and locks of dark golden hair tumbled down her chest. Long hair—longer than before—and shimmering like the sap from an allon tree. Her cheeks were no longer hollowed and pale, but rosy with golden hues, her lips full and plump.
Garrin couldn’t catch his breath. Lex was radiant. And far too beautiful.
Amund rubbed a hand down his face. “I must return to the closet,” he said absently, staring at Lex as though thunderstruck. “I’ll take the mother of Lexandra somewhere safe.”
“Yes,” Garrin said on a sigh. “Feed yourself before you return for Zirel.”
Amund peered once more at Lex with a look of wonder, then stepped through the glimmer of a portal and left.
Lex’s eyes were the first thing Garrin had noticed inside the hallway of her dormitory. They were a beautiful golden-brown at the time, but now they sparkled with life in the color of rich amber, so clear and bright that they glowed.
How would he protect her when she stood out so much?
She moved slowly about the space, studying the tapestries. “Is this your bedroom?”
He strode across the chamber to a large wardrobe and shoved clothing on hangers aside. A Fae without Amund’s ability wouldn’t detect anything unusual about Lex’s power level. But once they saw her glowing eyes and beauty… “You must hide in the wardrobe, or your presence won’t be secret for long.”
Lex glanced at the wooden cabinet. “You’ve got to be kidding me. They’ll still know I’m here.”
“Most won’t question whom I’ve hidden. Should someone enter, best not to arouse suspicion by revealing your glowing appearance.” When she didn’t move, he sighed. “Your mother told you to follow my orders.”
Her face turned molten. “My mother hasn’t been my mother for many years, and even Jas doesn’t tell me what to do anymore. Or have you forgotten that I’m a grown woman?”
Garrin snorted. “I assure you, that is the last thing I will soon forget.” He’d tamped down any desires he experienced for Lex while they traveled, and he would do so now. All his focus must be on learning the truth about his father and keeping Lex safe.
He slowly stepped closer. “Please. For now.”
Lex blinked several times as though flustered. Then her mouth twisted in annoyance and she strode to the wardrobe and stepped inside, sending him a scathing look before she closed the cabinet door.
A second later, she opened the wardrobe and tossed out two winter coats—one she’d worn through the Land of Ice, the other Garrin’s coat he’d bundled her in before they crossed the ravine.
Not five seconds later, a light rap sounded at the chamber door.
Garrin looked to ensure Lex was secure and shoved the coats behind the wardrobe before crossing the room.
Anyone with heightened ability would know he’d hidden someone, but as long as they didn’t see that she was different, she would be safe.
He opened the door a crack and let out a mental sigh of relief.
A woman with light green eyes, tan skin, and long, wavy dark hair stood on the other side, and Garrin knew her well. “Amund sent me,” she said, and tried to look past him.
He stepped aside for her to enter and closed the door behind her. “I have a request, Percilla. My friend needs a glamour.”
She quirked her eyebrow. “Indeed?”
Garrin strode to the wardrobe and opened it.
Percilla’s mouth parted as she took in Lex. “My, she is special.” This was not a question.
“And it must not be known. Do you understand?”
She nodded immediately. “Yes, my prince.”
Lex studied Percilla and stepped out of the wardrobe, her expression leery. “Who is she?”
“Someone with the skill to hide your true nature,” Garrin said.
Percilla waved her hand haphazardly across Lex’s body. “What does my prince wish? A different hair color, eye color?”
