I tipped my head. “Not exactly. I can feel your strength and your emotions. I felt your fear earlier, which is why I came looking for you.”
She laid her head back on my arm and curled tighter against me. “I’m so glad.”
She trusted me. I felt it without any doubt—her perfect contentment, complete relaxation, and easy rest in my arms. And for the first time since I’d met her, I knew, deep in my bones, that marrying her had been the best decision I’d ever made.
Chapter 25: Auria
Isat in front of a mirror in Brielle’s room while her maid Anjana twisted half my hair up in a bun. It was simple and elegant and would have taken me at least an hour. The fae maid had it secure in seconds and then started pinning sparkly jewels around the bun and throughout my hair. I still couldn’t stand the thought of my own maid, but Anjana had been incredibly helpful on several occasions.
Brielle brought a bright blue mask to the mirror and held it in place while she muttered something I couldn’t understand. When she straightened up, the mask stayed in place… with no ties.
She picked up my sparkling white and gold mask. “Would you like me to do yours?”
“Yes, please! I was afraid I’d have to tie it over Anjana’s work, and I didn’t want to ruin it.”
Anjana tapped a few spots on my head and waved at the mirror. “Is it acceptable?”
I bobbed my head. “It’s amazing. I couldn’t have done better if I had all day.”
Brielle lifted my mask to my face. It surrounded my eyes with a light-weight metal covered in sparkling jewels. “You’ve been with us for more than two months and you still don’t even think of magic as a first approach.”
I shrugged. “I might think of it as an approach for you, but time won’t make me suddenly capable of using magic.” The key under my dress, though, that might. Bylur said it would let me reach him and his magic, but I’d fallen asleep before I could ask how.
Brielle stepped back, and my mask stayed on my face. “Well, I’m happy to share anytime. I have more than enough magic to help a friend.”
A strong, quick double tap knocked on the door, and Anjana crossed the room to open it.
Brielle smiled at me. “I predict it’s your escort.”
My stomach clenched. Bylur had told me he’d pick me up from Brielle’s room, and when he did, I should look directly at his face. He’d said the words. Told me it would be fine. But my nerves tightened at the possibility of ruining everything. In the moments it took Anjana to open the door, my mind replayed the conversation.
“Do you trust me?” he’d growled in his terrible bear voice.
“Absolutely.” More than anyone or anything else in my life.
“Then look at me when I come to Brielle’s door.”
Anjana turned back to us. “Lord Bylur is here for you, my lady.”
He didn’t come inside the door. He probably wanted me to go to him so I had time to muster up the courage to look at him. I grabbed my box off Brielle’s chest and faced the door.
“Do you want to leave that?” Brielle asked, pointing at the box.
“Oh no, it’s for an announcement,” I answered. I stepped toward the door. Only the dark tails of Bylur’s coat showed in the doorframe. “No fear,” I whispered under my breath.
When I reached the doorframe, I reminded myself to breathe and then looked up at Bylur’s face.
A greyish-blue mask clung to his skin, completely covering his face, chin, and forehead. It was molded to him tightly enough that I saw his lips turn up in a smile. He extended a hand, and I placed my fingers in his. He bent over them, bowing and pressing a kiss into my knuckles. The mask was a stiff fabric, but I still felt the pressure from his lips. It soothed my nerves while simultaneously making my heart speed up.
As he straightened from his bow, he paused and whispered in my ear. “You are stunning. Thank you for looking.”
My whole chest erupted in butterflies. Me trusting him had made him happy, and that turned around and made me happy too. My heart tugged me closer to him, so I slipped my arm through his and nudged him with my shoulder. “I told you I trusted you.”
He took the box out of my other hand and passed it to a soldier behind us. “We’ll need this later tonight.” The guard nodded, tucked it under an arm, and then we all marched to the ballroom together.
I leaned closer to Bylur. “I should have mentioned this earlier, but I’ve never been to a ball before.”
He patted my hand with his free one. “I was hoping you would stay with me. I can answer any questions you have as we go.”
