“I'd prefer that too.” I grinned. “As if I'd want to sleep across a fucking bridge from you.”
Taeven grinned back brightly, but then, suddenly, frowned. “We should have purchased some clothing for you in Frehan. It slipped my mind.”
“You don't want me borrowing yours?”
“No, it's just that my clothes are a little big on you.” He waved a hand at the bunched fabric at the tops of my boots and the billow of it over my belt. “That's not appropriate for court.” He sighed. “I'll just have to find my smallest pieces. I believe I have some leather breeches that are a little tight on me.”
He turned and headed through a doorway. I followed him into a room of silken fabric, polished wood, and faceted crystal. A vaulted ceiling made it feel even larger than it was, as did the enormous mirror atop the heavy dresser. Plush rugs covered the stone floor, adding color to a neutral palette of indigo and silver. Crystal shards, larger than any I'd ever seen, formed bedposts around the behemoth of a mattress that reigned on a circular platform. Plush, dark blue velvet covered the bed and puddled on the dais. Above us, fae lights twinkled in a chandelier of silver stars, and off to the left, a pair of glass balcony doors presented a view of the night sky that made it feel as if the room were merely a continuation of it.
“Whoa,” I whispered.
Taeven looked back at me as he reached for a silver door handle. “I'm glad you like it, but you can look around later. We need to get you dressed.”
“My lord?” A sweet, feminine voice called from the other room.
I went tense, staring from the doorway to Tae.
“It's a servant with our drinks.” He gave me a chiding look. “I have no lovers stashed here, Shane.”
“Of course not.” I cleared my throat. “I was just startled.”
Tae gave me a skeptical look as he called out, “In here, Evella.”
“Falcon Lord, welcome home!” A stunning woman exclaimed as she came striding into the room on transparent legs—a Sylph. She carried a silver tray with two steaming mugs and several little pots on it. And . . . a paintbrush? “I have your drinks here and Halfrin sent the paint with me, in case you'd like to adorn your valorian.” She cast a bright grin at me. “We've heard the joyous news. Welcome home, Falcon Valorian.”
“Thank you.”Home?
“Thank you, Evella,” Taeven said as well. “Put the tray down on the dresser. I think I will have you adorn him, but first, I need to find him appropriate clothing. Unfortunately, his are now too small for him, while mine are too large.”
Evella frowned pensively as she set the tray down. She absently took a mug and offered it to me with a, “You look chilled, my lord.”
“Thank you.” I sniffed at the drink, the scent of sugar and chocolate making me sigh. It was actually warm enough that I should have removed my coat and hat, but I was too eager to sip the drink and did that first.
“Perhaps I could pin a garment to temporarily take it in?” she offered. “I have some sewing pins that latch shut so they won't hurt the Valorian.”
“Evella, you'll be getting a bonus for that!” Taeven declared. “Good thinking! Fetch your pins.”
“Yes, my lord.” She bobbed a curtsy and hurried out.
“Oh, damn,” I murmured.
“What is it?”
“This hot chocolate is amazing. Try it before it gets cold.”
“I've had it before, and I know it's wonderful. That's why I ordered it for us.” But he nonetheless took his mug and sipped at the drink, then made a pleased sound. “I admit, it's better than I remembered.”
“Um, what's all that about adorning me?” I shucked out of my coat while transferring my mug from hand to hand so I didn't have to set it down, then laid the coat on a chair.
“Oh, it's a tradition started by the first valorian. Or rather, his warlord,” Tae explained. “Evella will paint a design on your forehead to denote your status. Since we're Avians, it'll likely be a pair of wings.”
“She's going to paint my forehead?”
“And outline your eyes in kohl.” He nodded. “Think of it as a type of circlet. I will be wearing one to announce my status as warlord.”
“A crown?”
“No, a circlet—a band of gold without jewels. The monarchs wear crowns that have jewels in them; we're a step below them in rank.” He frowned at me. “But if you don't wish to be painted, you don't have to.”
