A killer.
After the gruelingtraining session this morning, it’s the sweetest relief when I sink into the sea of blankets strewn across the expanse of plushy, fresh-cut grass.?* I followed the princess and her entourage across the immaculate grounds—past the pristine flower gardens and marble water fountains, past the small temple near the edge of a thicket of giant cherry blossom trees, down a sloping green hill met with a shimmering pool of water. We set up our fortress of blankets and umbrellas near the water’s edge.
I sprawl out, flexing my sore muscles against the butter-soft blanket. I breathe deep, noting how different the air feels compared to the air at home. Ours is thick—polluted with toxins. But here, the air is sweet, light, and thin. You can smell nature around you. The trees, the grass, even the water has a scent. I don’t know if it’s the whisper of my buried magic responding to this world, but everything has a slight charge to it. Every sunbeam on my skin or breeze that kisses my neck, every ripple in the water feels alive. Feels awake. And so do I.
I glance at my new friends, and marvel at how perfect they all look—individually, but also together. Dressed in complementary shades of white and cream and pink, they look like they stepped out of a Vogue photoshoot at Versailles. They belong to each other. And with the cap sleeved off-white corset and skirt, blush pink lace gloves, and wide-brimmed cream hat that Igrid insisted Iwear, I fit right in.
“So, how are you finding life at court, Lady Accostia?” Marideth asks from beside me. Eyes closed, she lies on her back, the soft sun dancing over her splayed auburn hair. Her silk-gloved fingers fiddle with the buttons down her beige bodice.
“Please.” My head lolls to the side, squinting at her beside me. “Call me Serena. Court isdifferent.” My tone is heavy with implication. A soft chuckle slips through her uptilted lips.
“I’ll say. I can’t think of a more modest upbringing than a temple. I imagine this must be a big change for you.”
“It’s a welcome change,” I lie smoothly.
I’m getting better at pretending. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or something to be concerned about. I know it’s for everyone’s safety, but I hate that I can’t be honest with them about who I am. I feel a twinge of guilt anytime Sorscha calls me “cousin” or I have to play along with some falsity about my past.
Mar cracks one eye, sliding it in my direction as a peal of delighted squeals erupts from down the hill. Kai and Dover are calf-deep in glittering water, their cream-colored pants rolled up as they splash at Sorscha, Ilsa, and Cece. The ladies protest mildly, skirts gathered in their arms above the water’s opalescent surface. Dover’s eyes catch on Marideth up the hill, and he dashes toward us. She squeals as he throws his body over hers, nuzzling sweet kisses along her neck until she swats him away.
“You’re soaked, you fool!” she chides affectionately. He answers with a boyish laugh and a smacking kiss on her cheek before racing back to terrorize the three females downhill. I turn to Marideth, who watches him keenly, a small smile on her lips.
“You and Dover,” I start. She looks at me, her expression open. “He’s engaged.”
“He’s engaged.” Her chest rises and falls with a heavy sigh. “Not to me.”
“Why?” I flip onto my side to study her, propping my head up on one hand. “You two seem so?—”
“We’re mates.”
My eyebrows lift at the admission.
“But he lives in Vod. I only get to see him when Kai comes to visit the queen. His parents arranged the marriage when he was three. They won’t break it despite our many pleas.”
“Who is she?”
“Wyneth?” Her eyes slide toward me. “A mealy mouse High Fae from Iaspis with more money than Aerill herself. The thing is, I could probably learn to tolerate her if she had a backbone and some dignity. But she knows about Dover and me—she has for years—and has never said a word. I could probably fuck him right in front of her, and she wouldn’t bat an eye.”
I choke on a laugh.
“It’s true!” She mirrors my position, turning to face me.
“And she knows you and Dover are mates?”
“Everyone knows. We haven’t exactly been discreet about it.” She casts a glance in his direction. “His parents don’t care; they want a cut of that diamond money. And hers just want her married off to a male with a good family name.”
“That’s awful. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t pity us,” she says mildly, looking back to me. “We have no intention of stopping what we’re doing. We’re a mated pair by the will of the gods. Their parents are idiots to think they can stand in the way of something so strong. They’d sooner make a mockery of the marriage than break the engagement for us.”
“You’ll be his mistress?”
“I’ll be his everything. They’ll be married in name only.” She falls silent for a moment, picking at the blanket. “If I have to give up the chance to marry so that I can follow him wherever he goes, then I will. If he has children with her, Iwill love them and treat them as if they were my own. It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make. There is no life for me without him.”
I find my heart hurting for this female I barely know.
“He’s an idiot.” She breaks the somber tone, shaking her head at him. “But he’smyidiot. And he loves me.”
The sound of footsteps lightly rustling the grass draws my attention uphill. I twist around to see Zadyn making his way toward us. The sun washes over his caramel hair and tan skin, coloring him even more brilliant. I smile warmly as he approaches and sinks down beside me on the blanket.
