“Vespera,” said a gruff voice from the entrance to the drawing room. Dion Silenus stood there, arms crossed over his chest. “It’s late.”
She lowered her gaze and nodded, giving me a wistful smile. “I hope you have a pleasant night, Your Majesty,” she said as she stood to follow her husband. “Please let the staff know if you need anything.”
And just like that, they were gone.
17
Clarissa
Iwas woken the next morning by the bright morning sun. Katrine and Devora threw the thick curtains aside to let in the blinding light.
“It’s time to get ready for your first day, Your Majesty,” Katrine said in her lively voice.
My mother peeked her head around the corner of the large two-bedroom suite the Silenuses had given us. “I thought I heard you awake in there,” she said, sipping from a steaming mug. “You slept in late, dear.”
I rubbed my eyes and only managed a grunt of acknowledgment before tossing the covers off my legs. I carefully stretched out my injured arm, working out the stiffness and wincing slightly at the jab of pain. Sleep hadn’t found me easily last night. I kept dozing off, only to be jolted awake by the faint memory of the driver lunging with his dagger.
Devora led me to the vanity by my bed and had me sit while she dabbed a cream beneath my eyes. “Trouble sleeping, my lady?”
I gave a tired smile. “Is it that obvious?”
“Do you want my honest answer?” she asked, her blue-greeneyes sparkling behind her thick glasses with a sort of mischief that made me think of my friend Rose.
“That depends.”
She tapped a spot above my cheek. “These circles under your eyes could rival a full moon.”
I barked out a laugh. She definitely reminded me of Rose. “Alright, maybe we tone down the honesty just a bit.”
“Noted.” She gave me a quick wink before rustling in her bag for more cosmetics.
I stifled a yawn. “So, how long have you been working in His Majesty’s palace?”
“About two years.” She applied a light pink color to my lips. “He hired me from another family. Before that, I was lucky to find work in a tavern or inn in the North Territory.”
“What about your family? What do they do?”
Her hands stiffened, then went back to searching the bag. “I don’t know, Your Majesty. I’ve never met them.”
I opened and closed my mouth quickly. My eyes found my mother, who was chatting with Katrine across our shared suite as the maid helped button her dress. I couldn’t imagine not knowing my parents. Even though my father died when I was twelve, I still remembered what it was like to grow up with both of them at my side. To feel their unconditional love, their firm hand, their pride and wisdom.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I murmured.
“Don’t be, my lady. I didn’t tell you to earn your pity,” she said with a shrug, although her eyes stayed averted from mine. “I’ve made a life for myself on my own terms.”
My lips twitched up. She was rather growing on me. “How did you end up at the palace?”
She paused before finally saying, “How much did you want me to tone down the honesty, Your Majesty?”
I searched her features, surprised by her cryptic answer. “Whatever you feel comfortable with.”
Licking her lips, she said, “Before he became king, His Majestywould often spend his evenings at taverns in the villages. I had the occasional evening off work, and I…caught his attention one night. He brought me back to the palace and requested I be hired on as a maid. He paid far better than my previous employer, so it wasn’t a difficult decision. He’s been known to do that with those he wishes to…keep.”
Her bright eyes stayed on mine, and I could read between the lines. I had no misconceptions about what this marriage was going to look like. No ideas of a faithful husband and dutiful wife…not while we were an entire ocean apart. It would be in name only—a way to keep peace between our kingdoms. He was free to do whatever he wished, as much as the idea of collecting people like one collects seashells made my lip curl.
She finished with my makeup, and I rose from the seat. “Thank you, Devora.” I squeezed her shoulder gently.
She rolled her lips, hesitancy crossing over her features. “I don’t keep his attention anymore, Your Majesty. I just thought you should know that.”
