Ellynne and Lowri stand on either side of me, grinning. “You look like you belong here now,” Ellynne says.
Looks can be deceiving.
My chest constricts and the corset does nothing to help me draw a full breath again. If anyone finds out that I’m an Undesirable, I’m certain I’ll be skipping the Veilguards and going straight to the gallows this time.
“Ready?” Ellynne asks, arching a brow at me.
I can do this; I can play the role of the perfect… dressmaker. I force a smile onto my face and nod before following the ladies out of the bath chamber and into the corridor again.
The plain hallways grow brighter, more sconces with candles lining the walls. We step out of the building and walk across a covered bridge overlooking a garden toward—Holy Rhianu, that’s the Fortress on the Mount.
The Castle of Erleya.
My heart picks up speed, surpassing my quick footsteps as I follow Lowri and Ellynne. A mammoth of a door looms ahead of us, a guard standing on each side with a spear in hand.
Ellynne doesn’t even say anything, but the guards step forward and turn in unison to push the doors open. My knees turn to water as an enormous room stretches out in front of us. The ceilingmustbe touching the sky. Elaborate chandeliers hang down from the sky-ceiling, crystals iridescent in the candlelight.
Someone nudges me and I flinch. A young woman glides toward me, resplendent in a silken emerald gown that drags slightly on the floor behind her. A golden circlet adorns her head and ink black hair cascades down well below her tiny waist, strands of gold shiningthrough. For a moment, I’m mesmerized by the stark contrast of the golden strands against her dark tresses. Then she levels her piercing amber eyes on me, and I reflexively step back.
My knees lock as my gaze snags on a dark-haired guard beside her. His obsidian eyes glare daggers at me, icy ruthlessness radiating off his body. As if my very existence is offensive.
Then again, isn’t that what Mainlanders think of Grounders?
The blood rushes from my face, but I can’t convince myself to stop staring back at him—at his high cheekbones, the upward sweep of his eyes, the stubborn set of his jaw. He doesn’t appear much older than me and his fair skin is free of wrinkles. But there are silver streaks on the right side of his head that disappear into a bun at the back.
At my side, Ellynne nudges me and I’m almost certain that she whispers something. I tear my focus away from the guard and end up gawking openly at the princess’s freckled face. It’s like I’ve lost all sense of decorum and logic. I cannot stop myself from staring at these stunning people.
The princess lifts her chin haughtily, but there’s a hint of a smile on her lips. She steps closer to me, and I straighten, my skin prickling with unease.
Breathe.
I subtly suck in a breath.
“You’re Durvla Garrick?” the princess asks at last.
I nod, before realizing it must be rude. “Yes, Your Highness.” I should curtsy, but my knees are still locked and I’m afraid to fall if I try to move.
“Welcome to the Fortress on the Mount, Durvla. I’ve asked Ellynne to be your guide. She’s been in my service for years now, so you’re in excellent hands.” She turns abruptly before I can respond and waltzes off, her intimidating guard beside her and Lowri in their shadow.
I release my breath, the tension flowing out of my shoulders. The return of my aching head and ringing ears wrap me in familiarity, reminding me that even though I’m on the other side of the bridge and dressed as a Mainlander, I’m still me.
“Come.” Ellynne smiles reassuringly. “You must be hungry.”
I nod. I’m not, in fact, hungry, but I don’t argue.
“Alright,” she says. “Let’s head to the dining room first, then I’ll give you a proper tour.”
My appetite eventually resurfaces as I munch on fresh bread, cheese, and apples.
“You must have a thousand questions,” Ellynne says as we set off on a tour of the castle. “I promise that after I give you the grand tour, I’ll answer them all.”
I nod and keep up with her rapid pace. Ellynne shows me the concourse, the infirmary, and we pause at a door withlibraryetched in gold against the dark wood. Ellynne pushes it open, revealing a grand room with a high ceiling. Hundreds, maybe thousands of leather-bound books line the solid wall-to-wall shelves. A round table with a lavish wooden pedestal and tripod base fills the empty space at the center of the library, two ivory-colored velvet armchairs on either side. There are even ladders to reach the upper shelves that tower above the room.
The shelves are almost ominously dark, contrasted by the textured painting of green and gold foliage on an ivory background that fills the spaces between the shelves and extends across the ceiling. Straight toward the back of the main room is an archway leading to another room filled with books. I stare in wonder. I want to get my hands on them all. Every. Single. Book.
Ellynne smiles as I turn to her again. “In awe?”
“I’ve never seen so many books in my life.” I resist the urge to continue gawking at my surroundings and focus on Ellynne’s words.
