Jaspar and his cronies wanted to rescue the woman who was taken earlier in the week. I might not have helped at the tavern, but I could assist with her retrieval. And though I hated the resistance, I hated King Sutton more.
Jaspar tried to convince me to take him as my escort, but I refused. Benton would never let me live it down if I stole his chance to step foot inside the pearly walls. Plus, I was pretty sure people had their suspicions about Jaspar and his association with the group, which would only impede my agenda.
“I thought you might want to wear this.” My father extended a hand, displaying a necklace.
A single dark sapphire pendant hung on the sparkling silver chain. It was the first necklace my father had gifted my mother—one she wore daily in tandem with the one I’d given her. Itwas the same necklace I’d toyed with while seated on her lap as a young child.
I hesitantly removed the chain with the flower pendant and placed it in the small dish on my dresser. My father walked behind me on shaky legs and clasped the dainty sapphire necklace around my neck. The thick smell of his scent filled my nostrils, and the low vibration of his magic hummed through me.
It buzzed when he was nearby—I felt it just under my skin. Nobody ever mentioned if they’d felt my father’s magic; Kamden was the only other person who noticed it aside from me. My father always told people that he’d been born without magic, and though he’d never confirmed its existence, not even to his children, we knew he lied. Magic was never discussed, even in the privacy of our home. For if we admitted what we all knew, our family would be in danger.
My stomach swirled with the memories of Kam and my mother. Regret, sadness, and nearly every other emotion filled me. Grief was funny like that; conflicting emotions somehow mingled with one another regularly.
“Do you think you’ll find someone else?” I asked, letting my question hang in the air without further explanation.
My parents were a mated pair. Even without acknowledging their bond, it would’ve been difficult not to see their connection. I’d recognized the underlying current between them at an early age. They moved through the world as one—one soul divided among two bodies.
“No.” He shook his head. “My grief runs far too deep to consider anyone but Emalia. Half of my heart will be forever missing.”
Mates had become rare in Rivale. Over the years, those who were mated had stopped confirming the fact, and those who suspected they were didn’t dare speak of it because doing so would be too great of a risk. Children of the mated, especiallytwo parents with the same magic, received fiercer magic than others. And with the ban on magic in place, the king might’ve destroyed the child if discovered.
I ran my hands down the front of my skirts, attempting to press out the wrinkles formed from hanging for so long. My mother had purchased the gown for me ages ago, and it barely fit. With short sleeves and without gloves, the tattoo running down my arm was exposed. The look was less formal than I’d hoped for, but I had little choice.
The gown was pink, but not bright. It was like the pale peonies my mother loved and kept growing on our windowsills. The muted tone wouldn’t help me stand out against the collection of women who were sure to wear a variety of extravagant, colorful gowns. But I didn’t want to stand outorbe noticed.
I turned to face him. “Don’t you want to be happy? Do you wish to live the rest of your life alone?”
He smiled gently, skin wrinkling at the corners of his eyes. “Your mother and brother might be gone, but I still have you.” His lips pursed slightly. “When the land calls me to return, I will meet them both with open arms and our spirits will dance once more.”
Tears welled at the thought of the last tangible piece of my soul departing, leaving me entirely alone. I could only hope the land would be merciful enough to take me with him. If not, I’d choreograph my departure—maybe follow in my mother’s footsteps, regardless of the dishonor it might burden my family name with. For if we were all gone, would it even matter?
“Knock knock,” Benton called from the living room as he walked through the front door, “Orion’s with me, so I hope you’re decent. Or as decent as possible.”
“We’re back here!” I hollered and turned just as Benton walked through the doorway.
I gasped when he came into view. He wore a white dress shirt and a navy blue waistcoat with matching trousers. A longtailcoat hung over his arm, made of the same beautiful material. Orion was undoubtedly responsible for such an amazing outfit. Benton’s deep brown eyes met mine, shining with excitement. His gaze drifted down to assess my gown, and his face dropped.
“This is what you’re wearing?” He raised a brow. “Surely, something else would be more fitting for a future princess.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I think she looks lovely!” My father eyed me appreciatively and fidgeted with the waves I’d put in my hair.
“Of course you do, Kenelm—you’re her father, you gotta say that.” Benton waved a hand and smiled at me. “But perhaps you’d be open to trying something more complementary to my attire?”
Orion walked in carrying a gown so large he could barely squeeze through the doorway. “If you’d all excuse us, I need to get this on her quickly so I can make adjustments.”
“Great Divine,” I gasped. “I’ve never seen anything so remarkable.”
My father and Benton shuffled from the room, closing the door behind them. Orion laid the gown on my bed, swallowing up its existence underneath the massive skirts. I ran my hand over the smooth, cobalt-blue satin material. There was a dark gray undertone that sent a moody chill through my body. It was perfect.
Orion carefully helped me out of my dress before laying it gently over the back of a nearby chair. He made certain to keep the bottom of the skirt from touching the floor and laid it over the seat.
I stepped into the new garment, and my eyes ran over the material as he worked to lace up the back. Not only had I never worn anything so elegant, but I’d never even seen such an exquisite gown up close.
The corseted bodice was dual-laced, ribbons crossing up both the front and back, allowing for the perfect fit. The fullskirts burst out from beneath the sharp V of the dropped waist, creating a silhouette of royal femininity.
An intricate lace overlay matching the color of Benton's attire crawled around the gown. It spread over the skirts, dense around the bottom and hips, but sparse in between. I brushed my fingers across the scalloped detailing of the overlay that lined the top of the low-cut bodice. It gathered at my shoulders, then trailed lightly down my arms over the satin sleeves, which were fitted down to my wrists. The floral, swirling overlay flared out dramatically at the wrists and ghosted over the top of my hands.
