Sin helped me hastily brush off the ashes and change out of Peywyn’s clothing so I could get back to my father.
Jogging out of the tunnel, I cried out as strong arms gripped me, preventing my escape. Imagining Harpyn had returned to inflict more pain, I thrashed and screamed. “Let me go!”
“Princess, stop. It is only me.”
Dey’s words registered at the same time his applewood smell wafted over me, and I went limp in his arms.
He stepped back, eyeing me cautiously. “Where have you been? We were all worried.”
“I um… I got lost.”
His dubious look told me that he clearly hadn't swallowed that lie.
“Did you need something?” I asked. “Because I need to get back. I don’t want to miss the next fight.”
He frowned. “It is already finished. Kinyx was victorious.”
“Oh?” I pasted a look of surprise on my face. “Well I’m glad everyone is okay.”
“Indeed.” He analyzed my body, likely searching for anything suspicious to call me out on. “Let me return you to your room,” he offered. “The crowds will be exiting, and it would be futile to attempt a return to your seat.”
I nodded, letting him take my arm to escort me back into the castle.
When we got to my room, I said goodbye and tried to close the door gently.
Dey blocked the action with his boot. “Princess, if you went to go find Sin after his match, I would prefer you to be honest with me.”
I hid my surprised reaction. That’s what he thought I was doing? Well it was better than him suspecting I had been in the fight.
“I told you Dey, I just got lost.”
He hesitated, then said, “You stood right here last night and told me that Sin was not my competition. Your concern over his wellbeing during the games might suggest otherwise.”
“What do you want from me, Dey?” I asked, heavy with exhaustion. “I’m not saying I have feelings for Sin, but even if I did, why would it matter? I’m going to be gone in a couple weeks, so there’s no future here for me with anybody.” The words felt hollow even to my own ears.
“There could be,” he insisted. “It breaks my heart that you will not even consider it. Consider me.”
“Dey…”
“All I ask is that you think about it, Princess. I will be back later this evening to escort you to dinner.”
With a small smile, he disappeared down the hallway.
Holy hell.
I looked like a damned princess.
The sisters had spent nearly an hour fussing over my hair and makeup. It was the first time they had pulled out the assortment of little pots filled with powders and paints, and I’d nearly forgotten what a little color could do for my appearance.
Standing in front of the mirror, I couldn’t help but sway side to side, watching the dress sparkle and shine as diamonds caught the light. The crescia silk clung to my body, showcasing every newly defined curve. It shimmered with a pearlescent glow and its softness made velvet seem like burlap in comparison. Tiny diamonds were stitched around the edge of the plunging neckline and down the sides of the bodice, glistening like streams until they reached the flared skirt where they burst into firework patterns over the front and back of the gown. The front slit went nearly to the top of my thigh, and there was no chiffon or underskirt to hide the long expanse of exposed skin.
For possibly the first time in my life, I felt truly beautiful. There was no voice inside my head telling me that I was too tall or too scrawny or my hair was too plain. Instead, I felt sexy, desirable.
Once they deemed me presentable, the sisters took off, and Jenni flew out from under the bed. She made a beeline for my hair, but I ducked at the last second.
Alighting on top of the wardrobe, she glared down at me.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you think I look pretty?” I couldn’t stop myself from giving a little twirl for Jenni.
