“Youmade this.” She’s doubtful.
I bob my head and my vision jumps back and forth as if I’m intentionally moving my eyes. I firmly focus on the woman, even as my vision goes haywire. I shouldn’t have taken the dress out. It’s not the type of dress typically owned by residents of Cluain Baile or by anyone in the Grounds for that matter.
Gods, they’re going to arrest me for theft. I breathe in deeply as colors creep into the edges of my vision and the back of my head throbs, starting to grow heavier. This is not the time, I tell my body. If I have an episode now…
I squeeze my eyes shut and wait to be apprehended. Or worse.
Nothing happens.
When I open my eyes, everyone’s gone, destruction in their wake. I blink and release a shaky breath. My legs are leaden, numb. Deep breath.I slowly count to ten.
Regaining the sensation in my legs, I walk to the window and peer out. Menacing flames are still flickering, just outside of my house. The Forayers are gathered as if having a meeting. There’s still an annoying keening note in my ear accompanying that painful water-logged sensation that drives me absolutely mad. I close my eyes again and press my aching forehead against the cool surface of the glass.
A sudden jolt radiates through the window, and I reel back, my heart hammering as Forayers storm into my house again.
Goose bumps break out all over my skin and cold sweat drips down my back. A wave of dizziness hits me so hard that I lose track of where I am in space.
I have no idea what’s being said to me, but out of nowhere, I’m flanked on either side, hands wrapping around my upper arms.
The ringing in my ear intensifies. My vision wanes, darkening at the edges again.Breathe.
“Please, I’m just a botanist. There must be some mistake.”
The Forayers couldn’t care any less—they haul me out of my house, away from Taig, even as I dig my heels into the ground.
Outside, villagers gather like spectators. Osheen is front and center, his broad shoulders square as though he intends to intercept.
“Please.” Sobs tear from my throat as my feet leave the ground. The Forayer tosses me over his shoulder like a sack of flour. I kick and thrash wildly, having nothing else to lose. “Please!Let me go!” I lift my head and desperately search the crowd.
Osheen is running toward me, yelling something. A Forayer catches him in the stomach with a staff mid-run, and he falls to the ground.
I scream his name, and his head snaps up to me. Wishing with all I have that we could read each other’s minds, I stare at him and focus my thoughts.Look after Taig. Look after my brother. Please. Look after Taig, Look after Taig. Look after Taig. Please, please, please understand this.
Osheen goes still, trying to read the expression on my face. Trying to get anything at all from me. Then he holds his hand to his chest and nods.
A fresh wave of dizziness crests over me as the ringing in my ears becomes unbearable. Darkness consumes my vision until I’m left with no choice but to surrender to oblivion.
CHAPTER 4
Carys
“Oh,all your suitors will just swoon when they see you in this dress. Teal compliments you,” Lowri gushes.
“The rust-colored dress was better,” Ellynne says. “It brings out the amber of your eyes.”
My servants are all giggles and grins, but I am not amused by these ridiculous excuses for dresses. They’re a bloody bore.
I sigh and smooth out the exaggerated flared skirt of the teal dress I’m currently wearing. Shades of green flatter me but this… this is rubbish. Before I turn away, I glimpse at my reflection. “Unlace me.”
The women exchange expressions and Ellynne unlaces the bodice. My lungs can finally expand again, and I take a deep breath. As soon as the stays are fully unfastened, I pull them away from my body and fling them aside. The bodice lands on the purple velvet cushion of the ornately carved armchair.
“Ellynne, tell me the dressmaker sent something more inspired.” I glance over my shoulder at the redhead behind me.
“No…” She finishes unbuttoning the rest of the dress.
I can’t step out of it fast enough. “Magdin’s freezing tits,” I mumble. “Of all the dressmakers in this godsforsaken kingdom, I have to get stuck with the incompetent ones.” This is the third dressmaker I’ve had in just three months. There will be a fourth.
I huff and march off in my chemise, dropping onto the bed with a grunt.
