“Why aren’t you getting ready, anyway?” I asked, ignoring her question. She was still in her robe and holding a book with a letter sticking out between the pages. When she caught me glancing at it, she shoved the piece of paper out of sight.
“Oh, I think I’ll stay in tonight. Let you younger ones have fun. Today was an adventure enough for me.”
I frowned and crossed over to her. Shedidlook tired. I often forgot how much she’d aged in those years wasting away in our cottage, before her mind returned to her. I still remembered the version of my mother that was constantly on the move when Leo and I were children.
I squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry, Mother. I feel like we’ve barely seen each other on this trip.”
She scoffed. “Clarissa, after missing nearly sixteen years of your life, any moment I have with you is a blessing. Donotbe sorry. I’m perfectly content being your shadow and watching you take this kingdom by storm.” Patting my cheek as she always did, she smiled softly. “I just hope you’re being careful.”
“Of course,” I said. “I always am.”
“And I don’t simply mean with politics and court intrigue.” She tilted her head. “I mean with yourheart.”
“My heart has nothing to do with this, Mother. Will you hand me those shoes?” I asked quickly, pointing to the gold sandals by the armoire.
She let out one of her long I’m-not-happy-with-you sighs just as Devora and Katrine appeared by the suite door. “If you no longer need us, we’ll head to our dinner now,” Katrine said, giving us a curtsy.
“Actually, there is something I need.” I walked over to grab the two of them by the hand and pull them back, an idea forming in my mind. I flashed a smile. “You’re coming with me. You two deserve a night of fun.”
Katrine’s eyes widened in excitement, but Devora’s lips turned down for a fraction of a second before she schooled her features.
“Your Majesty, it’s probably best that we—” she started, but Katrine cut her off.
“But what will we wear?” Katrine asked breathlessly.
I gave them a wink. “I’m sure we’ll find something.”
Thefieldsof Gold Row had been transformed from the tournament to the Harvest Festival, and the sight of it as our carriage pulled off the gravel road took my breath away.
Small lanterns hung from strands of rope tied to steel posts in the ground, creating an enormous circle that spanned several fields. The outskirts of the wide area were occupied by tents and booths of more vendors—people selling food and drinks and little trinkets like corn dolls and prayer talismans. Vespera had told me how traditional this festival was, with their rituals and sacrifices to the Fates. What she didn’t mention was that it was basically a glorified outdoor ball.
Within the large border of the festival was a handful of bonfires spread out across the fields, with people already dancing and drinking around them like they’d been there for hours. Even though the sun had set, the light from the hanging lanterns and blazing fires was enough to illuminate their bright eyes. Several musicians with stringed instruments were playing fast-tempo songs with catchy beats that already had my feet tapping along.
The scent of sweet wine and smoked meats wafted closer, drawing me in as Galen, Thorne, Devora, Katrine, and I made our way to the entrance, with a throng of guards, Lady Reaux, and the Silenus family trailing us closely.
“Well, they know how to put on a show,” Galen said appreciatively, eyebrows rising as he took in the scene. He wore a lightweight brown jacket and pants over a white button-down. A thin golden band rested on top of his head as a crown. It had hints of the same wisteria as mine wrapped around it.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” Katrine replied with wondrous eyes.
“It’s…a lot of people,” Devora muttered under her breath. I chuckled and linked my arm through hers, earning me a sharp glance of surprise. She had forgone her black glasses tonight and let me braid her thick red hair into a crown around her head.
Katrine had found the pair of them a couple of floral knee-length dresses from some of the maids at Silenus Manor. The younger maid was coming alive under the orange haze of theflames, her umber features blossoming like the flowers she’d stuck in her hair. But Devora was still a bit hesitant. A shadow crossed her face as she gnawed on her bottom lip, so very different from the fierce girl who whipped knives out of her thigh sheath like it was second nature.
“Just ignore them,” I said, leaning in and nudging her shoulder with mine. “Have fun. Enjoy your night out with no expectations.”
She gave me a small smile. “Is that what you plan to do?”
“If only,” I said. “I, unfortunately, always have expectations to meet. Butyou”—I whirled in front of her and grabbed both of her hands, dragging her after Katrine and Galen—“can let loose. When will you ever see these people again? Do whatever you want.Bewhoever you want.” I gave her a little twirl with one hand and smiled when her eyes sparkled back at me.
“Wouldn’t that be something,” she said, so quietly I hardly heard her over the music.
“Ready to make the rounds, Clarissa?” Galen asked a few steps ahead of me, holding out his arm.
I nodded. “I’ll see you two later,” I said to Katrine and Devora, grinning at the reluctant expression on Devora’s face as Katrine hauled her to the nearest vendor.
Galen and I spent nearly an hour visiting each booth, making polite conversation with the citizens and eating our weight in the food they shoved in our hands. Little cucumber and spicy pepper sandwiches dipped in a honey sauce, chocolate-covered coffee beans, and dried pieces of bacon topped with some gray, gelatinous mush that I didn’t care to question.
It was difficult not to notice that double the usual number of guards followed closely on our heels, earning the occasional wary glance from passersby. But for the most part, it felt like a normal night.Fun, even. I could almost forget that the man beside me was nearly assassinated nine hours ago for accidentally murdering an innocent man’s daughter.
