All of them—except Talvi, who was running unusually late—were seated around a low fire. Edmea had just finished passing around the bowl of mashed dusk berries and a paintbrush. Too tired to braid their hair, Zoraya had passed around an enchanted slip of purple fabric, which when placed upon one’s crown, gathered the hair into a snug knot at the top of one’s head. Ursula sat beside Demelza eyeing the bowl of mashed dusk berries. After a moment’s contemplation, she scooped it into her hands and into her mouth—
“That is not for eating!” scolded Edmea.
Ursula grinned sheepishly and handed the bowl to Zoraya. Zoraya frowned, still contemplating Demelza’s question.
“I mean… I suppose I just know?” she tried, but then she frowned. “I know I love him because he’s the prince and I was meant to marry a prince.”
“There’s more than one prince in the world,” said Cordelia.
“Yes, but I’m sure he’s the most handsome,” said Zoraya.
“Is he though?” asked Ursula.
“You don’t think he’s handsome?”
Ursula shrugged. “Not very drawn to beauty one way or the other. At least, not on a body. On a plate, though, that’s something else. My mother always said the belly is where the heart is… later I realized she meant this in a more literal way, since a wound to the abdomen is generally fatal, but she also said she knew she trusted my father when he gave her the last of his bread during a siege.” Ursula’s voice softened. “He said that knowing she was nourished fulfilled him… that was how she knew she loved him.”
A hush fell over the room and then Zoraya sniffed loudly.
“I don’t think the prince feels that way about me,” she said. “Do you think he’d starve for me? Or cook for me?”
“A prince should not be cooking for anyone,” said Edmea.
He’s cooked for me, thought Demelza. She thought of how he had crept through her window, a baked loaf or a tin of sweets under his arm. She remembered how he had noticed how hungry she was. Although she didn’t have a window, the vineguardian had told her that Prince Arris had stood outside her room for the past few evenings. She didn’t doubt for a moment that each time he visited, he brought some food with him.
Out of pity, she warned herself.
But there had been no pity in his eyes when he had looked at her tonight.
“It’s odd,” said Edmea, studying her reflection. “My mother always said I was meant to be a queen and I certainly look like one—”
“Here we go,” muttered Zoraya.
“—and I feel like one, but it is not the prince that makes me feel so…” said Edmea. “And if he is not the one that inspires such a feeling, then, I suppose, what is the need for marrying a prince? I thought there’d be more parties and such, but Queen Yzara went on and on about social responsibilities, modeling virtue for the masses.” Edmea made a face. “That sounds a bit unglamorous, doesn’t it?”
“It sounds like an opportunity for greatness,” said Cordelia.
“My mother is always going on and on about greatness,” said Ursula.
“Is that why you wish to marry him?” asked Zoraya.
There was nothing shrewd or competitive in her voice, merely curiosity. She was sitting with her chin on her knee, arms wrapped about herself. The sitting room was as cozy as a nest.
“Something like that,” said Ursula. “I’ve always heard of the foods in the palace and I also wanted to make a point, Isuppose. I thought I wanted to be away from home, but now I, well…”
“Miss it?” finished Cordelia.
Cordelia was not one for emotion, but before Cordelia had filled her chambers with water, Demelza had noticed that the one thing she had brought with her was a portrait of her family, which she kept beside her bed.
“Yes,” said Ursula. “I miss it.”
The girls were silent. This was it, Demelza realized. Sooner or later, the third trial would be upon them, and then what?
“Where in the world has Talvi gone?” demanded Edmea, annoyed. She patted her eyes. “I really need those ice patches or my skin looks less incandescent.”
As if summoned, Talvi burst into the mushroom tower. She looked out of breath. And there was an odd blush to her pale cheeks.
Edmea put her hands on her hips. She looked like a hen. “And where have you been? I was getting worried… plus we didn’t have any ice patches for our eyes!”
