“What do you think?” Orion asked.
Words nearly escaped me as I stared in the mirror. “It’s the most beautiful gown I’ve ever seen, but I can’t afford it.” I began taking a mental tally of the few coins I’d saved from work. I couldn't imagine the price of such fine fabric, let alone the overlay. The lace-maker's hands must have worked for hours.
“Don’t be silly, it’s a gift.”
“No"—I shook my head—"I can’t. I’ll pay you, it’s just going to take a bit of time.” Orion turned me around, the skirt so big a grown man could stand between us.
“I know it’s difficult for you to accept help sometimes.” He paused. “Okay, all the time. But this isn’t help, it’s a gift. To refuse would be very ill-mannered. Offensive even. Definitely not something a future princess does.”
I burst out laughing, nearly popping the corset. “Well, thank goodness that’s not something I need to worry about.”
“I’m really just securing my future employment at the castle.” Orion winked. “Women will beg for my services after seeing my work.”
Arguing would only delay us. I’d pay him later. At a minimum, I’d cover the cost of the material.
“You can’t leave us waiting out here forever,” Benton whined through the door. “Let us in already.”
Without waiting for my answer, he rushed through the door with my father hobbling behind him. My father’s eyes bloomed with moisture as he raised a hand to cover his mouth.
“Do you like it?” I asked and swayed side to side, letting the skirts swish. With the dropping rays of the sun and the movement of the gown, the iridescent navy material shimmered with hints of color.
“It’s like it was meant to be worn only by you,” Benton gasped.
“Well, that’s because it was,” Orion said, eyeing it critically and adjusting the ribbons. “Everything about this gown was made for her alone.”
“How’d you even know my measurements?” I looked at him over my shoulder.
A knock on the front door interrupted us. I peered down the hall suspiciously, as if I could see through the thick piece of wood separating the rest of the world from the only remaining people I held dear.
“That’s probably our ride,” Benton said. “I listed your address for pickup when I sent the invitation out.”
I pulled up my skirts and placed a dagger into a holster on each thigh. Carrying a sword was impractical, but at least I’d still be able to defend myself if needed. Under the right circumstances, I might be able to cross one person off my death list tonight, though I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
6
AUDRYN
The ride to the castle wasn’t a pleasant one. I should’ve expected to find others inside the awaiting carriage, but seeing Maris sitting on the bench spoiled my mood entirely.
She sat poised in a beautiful, bright canary yellow dress with the elegance of everything her family name carried. The puffed-sleeved gown with full skirts filled up the entire side of her bench as if she were a bird en route to a mating ritual. With her hair braided over her shoulder and flowers adorning the plait, she looked like a character my father would’ve read about in a whimsical story. Elbow-length white gloves covered most of her arms, leaving only a small gap of skin showing.
Lucky for her, she’d come without an escort, allowing her to sit comfortably. Meanwhile, my skirts drowned Benton, leaving him fighting for his life. Unfortunately for Maris, the lack of an escort put a target on her back, and Benton didn’t miss. He teased her the entire trip about her inability to find someone who liked her enough to accompany her to one of the most sought-after events in Rivale. Despite the harassment, she remained unbothered and kept a polite smile plastered on her face.
As the carriage began its ascent up the winding path to the castle, I noted the number of guards at the lower gates and possible routes Jaspar and the resistance could utilize. It’d be tough to go unnoticed with little area to hide, but not impossible.
The carriage stopped, and the door drew open. Benton exited first and assisted me down. As I stepped out, he turned his back on the yellow-haired woman behind me and allowed her to topple from the coach. A nearby male caught her just before she landed on her face.
Her skin blushed, and I wondered if it was the first time she’d suffered embarrassment. Having a staff waiting on you hand and foot offered comforts most of us were never granted. They probably even protected her from stubbing a toe, maybe carried her room to room to be sure the bottoms of her feet didn’t become worn.
Benton halted, causing me to step back from my intended route. Mouth agape, he took in the castle’s white stone walls reflecting off the moonlit sky. The building was massive, with aqua trim around every window and door.
“Are you seeing this?” Benton’s voice was a whisper. “You could live here.”
“Dying here is more probable,” I scoffed.
A well-dressed, dark-haired man escorted us through the massive, arched entrance. He guided us down a wide corridor lined with flickering torches. We paused at a set of double doors at least twice my height. Expansive gold decorative waves adorned the top of the mold-trimmed doorway.
“Welcome to the grand ballroom of Sutton Castle,” the man announced as he gestured for the flanking guards to open the doors.
