He crossed the room and grabbed me roughly by the shoulders. “Do you have any idea how terrified we have all been? You were not in the Sylvarium nor could we find you anywhere in the castle.” He paused to catch his breath, and I could see it wasn’t anger driving his intensity but fear. Doubtful it was for me, though. Most likely it was for his plans going awry if something happened to me.
“We thought someone had taken you. Or you were lying injured, possibly dead somewhere. Raynella, I…” He registered how tightly he held my arms and loosened his grasp. Taking a step back, he ran his hands smoothly over his brocade gold and silver mantle . “I cannot lose you, Raynella. Where were you? And why is your tunic burnt?”
I took a step back from my father and set the package with my gown on the dresser. “I’m sorry. I was bored in the Sylvarium so I went to go watch Peywyn training in the arena. She was working with an igniservian, things got a little intense, and I caught a couple embers on my tunic. I’m sorry I scared you, but I wanted to see how the elemental magic worked so that I would be ready when mine manifested.” I dropped my eyes and added, “if it ever does,” in a sad, pathetic voice hoping it might distract him.
Males were far too easy to manipulate because my father sighed and pulled me into an uncomfortable hug. “It will, Raynella. Give it time.”
The feeling of his arms around me caused bile to rise in my throat, and it took everything inside me to endure his touch.
To my relief, he kept the embrace short. “I must go. The other courts will be arriving shortly. You were supposed to be at myside to greet them, but there is no time to prepare you. Carry on with the dress fitting, and I will see you at dinner.”
He gave me a peck on the forehead before leaving, and I was proud of myself for not visibly shuddering.
I walked over to the seamstress and said in English, “I’m really sorry I’ve wasted your time as well. I didn’t mean any disrespect to you, and I’m excited to see my dress that you have created.” I cast an expectant look at Dey over my shoulder, waiting for him to translate.
He shook his head at me, probably still annoyed that I had got him in trouble with my father. Turning to the seamstress, he spoke to her in Rivellan. “She says that she is sorry and would like to see her dress.”
I kept my expression neutral as Dey took liberties with my apology.
“She is lucky that she is the king's daughter, or I would never accept this insult,” the seamstress spat out. “Especially not from a disgusting half-breed.”
My teeth clenched together so hard I thought I might crack a tooth, but I just smiled and reached out to take my dress from her.
Ignoring me, the seamstress tossed the gown on the bed. “She will wear the dress as it is made. I do not have time to make alterations now. Is she not aware that I have other outfits to make for the ball?” She slammed the door hard as she left, accentuating her point.
Dey retrieved the dress and held it out for me. “She said the dress should be fine, and no alterations are needed.”
I nodded. “Okay,” I replied, as if I believed his words completely.
“Would you like to try it on?”
I slipped the dress into the wardrobe. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. I was actually hoping for a little privacy. I need to take a shower. It was a bit hot and dusty in the arena.”
“Of course.” Dey stood up, but instead of leaving, he approached me and placed his hands lightly on my shoulders. “Please do not disappear on me again, Princess. I have never known fear like I did today. If anything were to happen to you…”
Dang. He was either the world’s best liar, or he genuinely had been worried for me.
“I’m sorry,” I said, and to my surprise I actually meant it.
Dey left me alone after that, and I immediately dove to the floor to check under the bed. Four tiny little eyes peered back at me, and I sagged in relief. Something glimmered in the dark next to them, and I let out a laugh at the pile of treasure under my bed. Three of my diamond hair pins, a pair of earrings, a hair tie, and the lip gloss from my purse sat in a pile beside the crescia.
“Okay, little thieves,” I said laughing. “I see what you do when I’m gone all day. Come on, it’s safe to come out now.” I left their bounty under the bed and placed the pile of nuts and seeds I’d snagged at breakfast onto the nightstand, hoping they wouldn’t add it to the pile and attract bugs. Opal made a beeline for the food, but Jenni crawled onto my leg and dug her talons deep into the fleshy part of my thigh.
“Ouch! That's too rough.”
“Scared,”she said inside my head, all four of her tails swishing angrily.
I ran a hand down her spine, careful to avoid her delicate wings. “I’m sorry Jenni, I’m sure his shouting scared you.”
“Scared for Rain.”
I gently extricated her talons from the fabric of my leggings and set her on the nightstand by Opal. “You don’t need to be scared for me, Jenni. I know my father is awful, but he won’t hurt me. He needs me to fulfill the prophecy.”
“Jenni protect Rain.”
“That’s right. I’m safe so long as I have you.” I nuzzled the side of her face with my nose.
A loud commotion out in the courtyard pulled my attention away from the sweet moment. Drawing back my curtains, I saw a procession of people making their way into the castle. Diamond Court guards, dressed in their standard burgundy uniforms with swords at the ready, formed two lines on either side of the courtyard that had been covered with banners to cut down on the intensity of the diamond's glare. A gaggle of courtiers had parked themselves behind the guards, craning their necks to get a good look at the newcomers.
