But then, as their affection grows more fervent, the warmth turns into a fire, and I realize I should not be watching. I try to look away, but I’m rooted to the spot, lost in the beautiful tableau unfolding before me. It isn’t until their hands begin to explore, the kisses becoming more passionate and possessive, that I finally drag my eyes away, feeling a rush of heat and embarrassment, my heart pounding as I retreat inside.
As dawn lightens the sky, I wake alone to the gentle chirping of birds filling the air. I stretch and blink against the brightness streaming through the open balcony doors, feeling the warmth on my skin—a stark contrast to the cold shadows and eternal gray sky of Baev’kalath.
The door creaks open, and Solena steps in, her bright smile illuminating the room even further. “Good morning, Princess!” she chirps, bustling over to my side. “Let’s get you ready.”
I sit up, pulling the sheets closer around me. “You don’t need to do that here, Solena.”
She shakes her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Nonsense! I get you ready faster and do your hair much better than you do.”
With that, she drags me from the bed. Unlike the vast wardrobe of the fortress, I have only what we brought with us.
“Pants and tunic?” she asks.
I shake my head, my gaze landing on the familiar green dress I wore on the ship. “No. I’ll wear this today.”
“Very well,” she says, stripping me out of my nightgown in the blink of an eye.
Usually so stoic and focused, Solena wears an immovable smile this morning. Maybe it’s the power of Pariseth that has these typically surly Fae in such good moods, or perhaps it’s the lingering blissful glow from what I witnessed in the garden last night.
Once my dress is on, she moves behind me, brushing my hair with soft, gentle tugs that feel oddly comforting.
“You’re happy this morning,” I remark, glancing at her in the mirror.
Solena's cheeks flush pink. “Yes, I am. Being able to be in the open with Orios is a luxury we are not afforded in Baev’kalath.”
“You were certainly in the open with him last night,” I say, and my eyes widen as I realize my words have slipped out.
Solena freezes mid-stroke, her cheeks growing even warmer. “Your Highness! You were… watching?”
My cheeks burn too, equally embarrassed. “I couldn’t sleep and wandered onto the balcony at the wrong time.”
“Well, no harm done,” Solena gulps. “Let’s just never speak of it again.”
I nod, relief flooding me. “Yes. I’d like that very much, thank you.”
Solena resumes brushing my hair, letting out a deep breath. “I assure you, we’re not usually this adventurous. Must be the Lover’s Eye approaching.”
I frown, confusion knitting my brows. “What do you mean?”
She laughs softly, a hint of mischief in her tone. “The full moon. It’s the Lover’s Eye tonight.”
My breath catches in my throat at the mention. The Lover’s Eye. Daed had mentioned it in passing—a night when tradition dictates that the king and queen make love in public under the watchful gaze of the moon, surrounded by their people. A sudden wave of nerves crashes over me, churning my stomach.
“Oh,” I manage to say, my voice shaky. “I didn’t realize.”
Solena leans in, a smile dancing on her lips. “Orios and I have always celebrated it in secret. But not here. This will be your first Lover’s Eye with Prince Daedalus. How exciting!”
I force a smile, but it feels brittle as my stomach twists tighter. “Yes. Exciting.”
Her gaze flits to the bed—one side rumpled, the other still perfectly made. “He didn’t sleep here last night?”
“No,” I reply, my heart sinking at the implication.
Solena gives my hair a final stroke before laying the brush down on the dresser and turning me to face her. I wish she hadn’t; the concern in her eyes reveals the anxiety etched across my face.
“You are a good woman, Princess Amara,” she says firmly. “And Prince Daedalus is a fine leader, the greatest warrior House Mordorin has ever seen. The Lover’s Eye isn’t just about physical connections; it’s a joining of heart and mind as well. I’m sure the Pale Eye will take care of you both.”
I wish I shared Solena’s faith—not just in the Mother Above, but in my husband. I nod, though the weight of uncertainty stillpresses down on me. What if Daed doesn’t want me? What if tonight, under the moonlight, we remain as distant as ever? All I can do is wait and see what the night brings.
