“Fine. I accept. And I’ll make sure we keep our lessons on the castle grounds from now on.”
He waved a hand. “No need. Camden and Ramset will no longer be your tutors. I simply do not trust them with your wellbeing anymore.”
A protest rose in my throat, but he cut me off. “I am firm on this, Raynella. You may be able to overlook the danger they put you in, but I was the one who had to witness the aftermath of your assault. I will not take that risk again.”
“Fine,” I grumbled. He didn’t say I couldn’t be friends with them, they just couldn’t be my tutors. Semantics, really. “Corymcan help me then. He seems like an excellent teacher. He’s literally all about knowledge.”
“Corym is not available,” he said brusquely. “He received word yesterday that his sister has gone to the Shen’Valla Temple. He is saying his goodbyes and will return in a few days.”
I threw up my hands and kicked a stone angrily, wincing as it plopped into the stream and scattered the stiroi gathered near the edge. “So who is going to answer all the questions I have about this place?”
“I have decided you do not need a formal education. Deylan or Dreisin can answer any pertinent questions that arise, but I believe it is best if you take things slow. Your curiosity has already nearly gotten you killed once already.”
My jaw dropped. Was he serious? I made one mistake by going into the city, and now I had to fight for every scrap of information about this world?
“I am needed in a meeting, Raynella, so I will see you at dinner shortly. You should go prepare.” He leaned forward, kissed the top of my head, and strolled off to rejoin his guards, completely unphased by the stunned expression on my face.
Chapter twenty
Back in my room, I yanked open my wardrobe and grabbed the first green dress I saw. It was pretty enough and likely to be just as awkward as any other.
Pushing the other gowns aside, I was pleasantly shocked to see Sin’s sword tucked behind all the clothing. The twins had been tortured and broken yet still took the time to steal Sin’s precious weapon for me. I was starting to understand why they were such high ranking generals despite their laissez-faire attitude. If they could pull that off, then they were equal parts gutsy and stealthy.
Chuckling to myself, I headed to the bathroom to hop in the shower. Even though someone had wiped most of the blood off me after the attack, it was like I could still feel it coating my skin.
When I exited the bathroom to find Niahna and Kiahna hovering by the fire, I wondered if they just hung around all day waiting to be of assistance.
The sisters began their usual routine of pampering me, and I relaxed back into the chair, enjoying the feeling of Kiahna’sfingers in my hair as she brushed, twisted, and sculpted my long locks into something more befitting a princess.
I was standing in front of the mirror wondering who the hell was looking back at me when a knock sounded at my door.
Pulling it open, I found a scowling Dey on the other side. I was about to make a crack about him taking lessons from Sin, but the moment his eyes settled on me, his anger vanished, and he took in a sharp inhale. I waited for him to say something, but all he did was stare, his eyes crawling up and down my body in long, lingering glances.
I knew I looked good—the dress fit me perfectly, clinging to my breasts and smooth stomach without making me look too emaciated. The sisters had braided my hair and twisted it into a coronet atop my head. Thirty or more diamond flowers were clipped in at carefully selected intervals, and the whole effect was actually quite breathtaking.
After about a minute of Dey hungrily staring at my body, I was starting to feel a little uncomfortable. “Um, did you need something?”
His eyes slowly rose to mine. He gave his head a little shake, then focused on me. “Yes, apologies, but you look… absolutely stunning.”
I let out a half-hearted laugh. “Yeah, well, who knew a Jersey girl could clean up so well?”
“I did. I have always seen the beauty you work so hard to hide.”
Blushing, I opened the door wider and gestured him inside. I plopped on the bed with all the grace of an elephant, not caring if I wrinkled the gown, “So, what brings you up here? I figured I would see you at dinner.”
He paused just inside my door, his smile fading. “I came to inform you that I heard what you did earlier with that soldier. I must say that I am disappointed. I thought we were beyond subterfuge with one another.”
The look on his face speared me with guilt. “I’m really sorry, Dey. I didn’t want to hurt you or anything, but I couldn’t risk you stopping me. So far you’ve always sided with my father, and I couldn’t just leave them there. Honestly, I’m surprised that you could. I thought they were like family to you.”
“They are,” he said defensively, taking another step into the room. “However, there are things about this world that you do not understand.”
“So tell me,” I pleaded. “Explain to me how you justify the torturing of two people who were only trying to make me happy. Two people that you claim are like brothers. Did you see what happened to them?”
“No, I did not witness it,” he admitted. “Though I have seen punishments in the past. Princess, you must understand that this world is not like yours. To control a population of magic wielders, King Verren must rule with a firm hand. If he shows any weakness, the people might rise up against him.”
“Maybe they should,” I suggested bitterly, turning my back on him. A sharp gasp had me spinning back around. The horrified look on his face was almost comical in its severity.
“You… you cannot sincerely believe that,” he whispered.
