Delaine shot me a look of pure spite and stooped down beside Brenna. “I’m here, my queen. Allow me to help.”
“Yes, yes, I’m allowing it,” Brenna drawled. “That’s why I asked you to do this, if you’ll dutifully remember.”
I bit my lips to keep them from rising into a smile. It might be petty of me, but I enjoyed seeing Delaine chastised every now and then. It was long overdue.
When Brenna was finished, we helped her out of the tub. Reyla released the water while Delaine and I dried Brenna with warmed towels and assisted her in donning her gown, a yellow, lacy concoction she adored. She was as fluffy as her gown, a product of her lush palace life. I held no jealousy toward her in that regard. I was dumped at the fortress, but at least I’d grown up knowing I had worth beyond who my father might force me to marry.
While she sat in a chair, I did her make-up, something I never thought I’d ever learn how to do, while Delaine arranged Brenna’s hair. Reyla stood limply nearby, staring at the wall.
When Brenna was ready, she rose and stood in front of the full-length mirror, studying her image. “Well done, ladies. Well done. He’ll think I’m beautiful today.”
“The king will adore you as always,” Delaine said.
“Yes, the king. Ivenrailwillnote my appearance.” With a sigh, Brenna turned from the mirror and strode over to stand near the window to take in the view of the vast plain stretching all the way to Riftflame territory. Sunlight brought out the golden threads in her dark hair. She really was pretty. If I was her, I’d dress in simpler styles that would highlight my appearance, not distract from it.
That was how Vexxion dressed me.
Brenna rubbed her wrist.
The air hissed out of Delaine, and she scurred over to stand beside Brenna. “If I may, my lady.” She held out her hand.
Frowning, Brenna laid it in Delaine’s, who lifted her arm and examined it in the light.
“When did this appear?” Delaine asked in wonder.
Pretending interest in the view, I joined them, though my focus remained on Brenna’s wrist.
“I noticed the mark a few days ago.” Brenna rubbed it. “I tried to wash it off, but it remains.” She held her arm out to me, twisting it up to show the mark in full light. “You saw it.”
I nodded.
“It was itchy at first but now it isn’t,” Brenna said. “Perhaps something bit me. Why do you think it appeared?”
I knew why, and I had no idea what I could do about it.
Brenna was displaying the mark that identified her as Vexxion’s fated mate.
40
TEMPEST
“It’s amazing. Have you shown the king?” Excitement bubbled in Delaine’s voice. “He must have one too.”
No, Vexxion must have one; Vera saw it. Why hadn’t I?
Magic.
Was this one of the secrets he hadn’t shared?
I didn’t doubt him. No, Irefusedto doubt him. But worry kept washing over me, drowning me despite my determination to hold my head above water.
“I haven’t told the king.” Brenna drew herself up stiffly. She scratched at the mark like I dug at my collar when it reminded me it was still there. “Why would I?”
“It’s a mating mark,” Delaine said. “It means you’re fated to be with one person alone.”
Light bloomed in Brenna’s eyes. “I thought fated mates existed only among the fae.”
Which she was. As the Lydel heir, she was fae through and through. Why hadn’t anyone told her? If I did, the plan might unfold before it was time.
