“Because you’rehis.” She stopped. “Kairos is walking into a room full of people who think he’s a monster. They’re terrified he’ll slaughter their courts next. And now he’s bringing a war prize from the massacre to a summit.”
My stomach twisted.
“Caelir especially will use it against him,” Elwen continued. “They already side with Skaldir. Every weakness they can find, they’ll exploit.”
“What about the other realms?”
“Thalir won’t care. They mate with your kind freely.” She waved dismissively. “Lunir is indifferent on most things, but Caelir…they pride themselves on pure bloodlines. They see humans as little better than animals.”
“So Kairos’s attachment to me makes him look weak.”
“Yes. It confirms that he’s lost control, and that he’s no longer fit to rule.” Elwen resumed pacing. “We cannot survive a multi-realm war. Kairos has to be very careful.”
“What does he need from this summit?” I asked.
“At minimum? Keep Lunir neutral. If the queen joins Skaldir against us, we’re surrounded. Best case? Show them he’s a king, not a conqueror, so they don’t feel threatened.” She rubbed her head.
I balled my fists.
“And here’s the worst part.” Elwen yanked on her hair. “You two will need to be convincing. The other courts will pick that apart in seconds.”
“How?”
She faced me. “They need to believe you’re lovers, or at least that he’s obsessed with you. If they sense any hesitation, they’ll start asking questions.”
“Okay,” I breathed. “I can do that.”
“I told him not to do this,” Elwen ground out. “It’s political suicide. It’ll undermine everything we’ve worked for, but he doesn’t care. He’s making himself vulnerable for you. Do you understand that?”
I swallowed hard. “No.”
“Well, now you do.” She took a breath. “If we’re doing this idiotic thing, we’re doing itright. You need to lookvaluable, but not important enough to warrant attention.”
“Like a trophy,” I muttered.
“Exactly.” She gestured to Thessia. “Which is why we’re spending all morning to turn you into the most exquisite prize he’s ever claimed.”
I patted my cheeks, then put the towel aside. I forced down a poached egg, too queasy to finish my breakfast. How was I supposed to act convincing when there was so much distance between us?
Elwen marched me to the hot springs. I insisted on bathing alone. I couldn’t risk them glimpsing the deal and calling the whole trip off. Once I toweled myself, Elwen hauled me to the bedroom.
I sat where I was told. A fae with sea-glass eyes buffed my nails until they gleamed. Thessia sectioned my hair and braided tight coils, her hands flying as she wove in silver pins.
“Try not to talk,” Elwen said. “Actually, don’t speak unless spoken to, and if anyone questions why he brought you,smile.”
“What if I have to tell him something?”
“Wait until you’re alone.” Elwen turned toward Thessia, who held a dress. “Let’s get this on.”
They pulled it over my head.
The delicate texture whispered over me. Midnight faded into a soft wine at the hem, like an evening dissolving into dusk. The bodice hugged my chest, and the skirt rippled in weightless sheets.
“Wow,” I muttered. “It’s lovely, but the neckline is…strategic.”
Elwen arched a brow. “You mean low.”
“Yes. I look like one of Madam Cass’s girls.”
