I shake my head. Maybe I got that wrong. He must have meant conviction or prediction, or something completely different.
I force the thought away and fix my gaze on Jestin instead.
“Everyone is welcome in the Palace Gardens later today, we will begin the Solstice with an annual ‘get together.’” He smirks, and laughs follow.
A grin spreads across my face. ‘Get-together’ is far too polite a word for it.
A huge grin takes over my face. 'Get together' isn't the right term to describe it, not at all. It's more likeevery hole is allowed: pussy, ass, mouth, the space between your toes, your tits if they're big enough, or maybe your nose, if you're High Priest, whose nose is gigantic.
“I also encourage you to take advantage of today’s Trading Festival blessing and go shopping. Remember, the shops open the moment I stop speaking,” his eyes dart playfully around the room, “and close with the first moon.”
He is right. It will be nice to leave before the rest, so the market isn’t too crowded. The Trading Festival is my favourite holiday, because you are requiredto spend your coins. How can it be any better?
I need to get access to my fucking riches. I should have some in my room here, but it’s nowhere near enough for what I have in mind.
“Tomorrow at noon,” Jestin announces, shooting me a daring look. “Lady Seleste and I will perform a mass.”
Sneaky fucker.
Murmurs ripple through the crowd before I can react. I try not to flinch, wishing I’d sneaked out yesterday.
“Then a celebratory feast will be held at the palace. Happy Solstice!” Jestin finishes, and the room erupts in cheers, everyone already shuffling to leave. I should be one of them, running for the market, but I stay when Jestin gestures for me to wait.
In my defence, he looks apologetic, as he approaches.
“Was I that boring?” he asks, fully aware my expression has soured like spoiled Fae wine.
“Yes.” I school my features to show as much disapproval as I can manage.
He rolls his eyes, unbothered, still every inch the embodiment of elegance and grace.
“Why did you do that?” I demand.
“It’s going to be fun, I promise.” He gives me a half-smile, the kind that always softens me.
I’m powerless against him. He could snap his fingers, and I’d bend without a thought. That fucking smile. It makes me stupid every time. The number of times it’s landed me in trouble…
And every time, I hit back twice as hard.
Once, I teased him to bring me a troll’s jewellery chest. Jestin, Dante, and Nulok caused such chaos that their parents sent them to the Draghtrall camps for an entire summer. But I still have that chest in my room.
He sighs, guiding me out of the hall. “I took the liberty of settling your debts. Betting shops, really?”
“You shouldn’t have bothered,” I reply, my tone flat. But I’m not heartless. I’ll save my thanks for later. Just not when he’s using this to soften me up.
He sighs in resignation. “Take a servant with you to carry the shopping.”
“No need.”
His eyes lose all warmth, and I feel a pinch of guilt before I remember that he deserves it for throwing me under the troll.
I dig into my satchel for a piece of paper to make a shopping list, wondering if the gold in my room will be enough.
“Sels, what’s the deal with the Simon?” He finally asks the question I was expecting and dreading at the same time.
“Didn’t he tell you already?” I retort. Suddenly self-conscious of the brand, I tug my gloves higher to make sure it isn’t visible.
He raises a brow.
