“That’s a big step.” Ella landed on my shoulder, wings humming with excitement. “When?”
“Liora will bring her to the main drawing room after breakfast. I should probably head there now.”
Ella smiled. “I knew you two would eventually work it out.”
“I didn’t think so. I’m still not sure how I feel. How can I trust her? Not just because of what I’ve done, but because of what she is. We’ve thrived these years with no humans in the palace… to bring one in now.”
I didn’t want to voice my true fears. That my father had let down his guard and not just his world, but mine too, had shattered.
“What happened to your father will not happen to you. Those witches poisoned his mind. You know that.”
“Human witches.”
I didn’t want to think about the human triplets that had infiltrated our home, earned my father’s love and trust, only to twist his mind into further madness.
We walked in silence the rest of the way until we reached the servants’ quarters.
“Try to enjoy yourself today.” Ella reached into her pocket and pulled out a fistful of green dust.
“I’ll be fine.” Holding up my hands, I tried to block the incoming pixie attack.
With a big puff, she blew the dust at my face. I sneezed, then sneezed again. “Ella!”
“Luck dust.” She giggled and flew off before I could yell at her more.
“Pixies,” I groaned, wiping the dust off my face and hurrying out of the passageway.
By the time I reached the drawing room, all the pixie dust was gone.
The queen's blade dancers stood outside the drawing room. Seeing me, they stepped aside, and one opened the door.
Deirdre sat on one of the high-back chairs, sipping tea with a poised grace.
Her hair was curlier than normal, with ringlets framing her delicate face, half of it twisted up in a braided bun, her emerald crown resting on her head.
Seeing me, she stood, handing Liora the teacup.
“Good morning,” I said, suddenly feeling strangely feverish.
“Good morning.” She stepped around the chair, and I inhaled at her choice of dress.
Instead of her usual loose, flowing gown, she wore a tight-fitted dress that hugged her chest and middle, accentuating her hips and womanly frame. The amber fabric matched my eyes, and I wondered whose idea it was for her to wear it.
“Is something wrong?” She crossed her arms, playing with a tendril of her hair.
“Nothing, you look… well.”
I could almost hear my pixies’ laughter from here.
This is ridiculous.
“Thanks,” she replied and followed me out. “Where are we going?”
“As queen, you have access to certain areas and one of my favorite places in the palace.”
Leaving the drawing room and her guards, I led Deirdre to the royal courtyard. There were only two entrances on the second floor, and rune locks sealed both of them. At the south entry, I took her hand and placed it on the panel beside the door, a spark gently igniting through our touch.
The runes along the arch glowed purple, and the door opened.
