“Nope, I’m to assist you,” Suza replied firmly as she stepped out. “I’ve been instructed to help you in all the ways you might need.” She held out a lavender gown with a built-in corset and a long skirt.
So much for that,Seda thought.
“Do you happen to have any pants in there?” The thought ofthat constricting dress sounded awful, especially with her still racing heart, and it wasn’t that long ago she had to wear another uncomfortable dress.
Suza glared at Seda, eyes slitting into small open seams. “No. When you dine with a king, youdressfor a king.”
Seda didn’t care how she looked for Cahir. She angrily got out of bed and moved toward Suza and the horrible gown. She muttered as the woman placed the gown on the chair beside her and waved her fingers for Seda to remove her nightgown.
“I’m not comfortable dressing in front of others. You need to leave while I put this on,” Seda said as she crossed her arms over her chest and pointed her nose higher in the air.
The woman tried to argue with her, but she stayed firm. This woman wouldn’t tell her what to do for every small thing. She had this choice, and she decided not to be naked in front of this snide Fae.
Suza hissed and stormed out of the room.
Seda waited for the door to close before pulling the dress over her hips and sliding her arms into the sleeves. She called for Suza, and the woman entered the doorway, wearing a scowl and quickly sliding her tongue across her lips.
“Turn around,” Suza said with a commanding tone.
Seda turned, and Suza forcefully tugged on her dress, tightening the corset and making it difficult for her to breathe.
Suza lit a candle flame and began heating a curling rod. “Sit down, I need to do your hair.”
The corset’s tightness caused Seda to sit uncomfortably on the vanity stool. She looked in the mirror and gasped. Her hair was badly knotted, and it also shimmered more than usual.
Perhaps it was because it was finally clean? Maybe it always looked this way, and she never paid attention. Or maybe there was something in that conditioner she used?
She should have brushed her hair after her bath, but wasso tired she forgot. Her hair was undeniably knotted from her journey and the tornado of Wisps.
“Do you know why your hair sparkles?” Suza asked her as she reached for the disaster atop her head.
“Don’t know,” Seda replied nonchalantly. Even if she did know, she didn’t care to discuss it with her.
Suza aggressively brushed her hair, causing Seda to cry out several times in pain. However, when she finished, Seda was impressed with her work. She tried not to judge the poor girl for her own hair.
“This looks nice,” Seda said when she was finished. Her hair had been pulled into an updo with long, loose curls hanging down, framing her face.
The woman harrumphed, blew out the candle, and walked to the door. “Of course it does. Come with me. I’ll take you to the dining room.”
“What about Elco?” Seda asked.
“Your friend is currently outside the castle, likely biting into the wolves that keep appearing,” Suza replied.
Seda followed her through the castle, trying to remember the path so she could take it herself next time. When they reached the door, Suza knocked and opened it. The scent of coffee reached Seda’s nose, making her mouth water.
Seda entered the room, and Cahir rose from his chair. Luelle, Meir, Neoma, and another man she didn’t recognize sat beside him. When they saw Cahir stand, they also stood and waited for his orders.
Cahir was all smiles and looked refreshed, as if he had gotten hours of sleep. She was undeniably mad at him, especially now since he appeared to have slept well, and she hadn’t.
A smile slipped across her lips, remembering how he reacted to seeing her naked. He had run from her room like a frightened deer. So much for being this all-powerful king.
Unfortunately, something dormant had stirred deep within herlast night when she saw how he had reacted to her. She suppressed the feeling.
You’re mad at that liar,she reminded herself.
Today, though, his dimples and bright smile were on full display, accenting his pointed canines. His chestnut hair was tousled and hung over his forehead.
“You look beautiful, Seda. Welcome in,” he said, mistaking her smile as politeness.
