“I think these are going to be absolutely perfect.” Flavia, the castle’s seamstress, holds up four custom-made nightgowns.
“These are amazing!” I rush over and run the fabric between my fingers. The dresses look spun from threads of moonlight, shining like light skipping over a pond. The bodices are adorned with tiny pearls, with delicate frills of lace sewn around the hem.
“So cute!” Astrid says, hopping up and down.
Flavia has made two human-sized dresses, and two small enough to fit a racoon and a rabbit. The sun hasn’t set yet, but for most of the night, they’ll be in their animal forms.
“I think Wrenley will really like this,” I say, quickly changing into my own nightgown, then holding hers up to the light.
Flavia clears her throat. She’s always so elegant. Her blue and green hair is swirled in a dramatic updo, and she wears a simple black dress.
“Aren’t you happy Dayton found his mate?” I ask. “You won’t have to become a peacock at night anymore.”
Flavia exchanges a sidelong look with Astrid and Marigold before stepping forward to cup my face. “I suppose we just all thought it would be you.”
My heart sinks, and I wring my hands in the silken fabric. “Thank you for this. It was really kind of you to make them. Are you sure you don’t want to stay?”
Flavia had overheard my idea of a sleepover from some of the other staff and jumped at the chance to create some new nightdresses.
“Nonsense, lovely. It was a welcome distraction from everything.” She gives me a smile and makes to leave. “I’m going to have a restful sleep tonight.”
Flavia opens the door and gives a little chirp. “Oh, hello, Wrenley.”
“She’s here!” I shoot a panicked look at Marigold and Astrid. A part of me wasn’t sure she was going to show up. She hadn’t seemed overly enthused when I’d invited her earlier.
“Well, let her in, girlie,” Marigold says, placing a hand on her hip.
“Come on in, Wrenley,” I say, leading her inside.
Wrenley’s eyes dart to every corner of my room before landing on me. “Whatare you wearing?”
“A nightgown!” I say, plastering the biggest smile on my face. “There’s one for you as well!”
Wrenley awkwardly takes it, and I grab her arm. Immediately, she jerks out of my grip. “Come see the rest of the room,” I say quietly.
When I first arrived in Castletree, my cherry blossom tree had been in full bloom, sprouting pink blossoms. But now, it’s a little wilted. Actually, it’sa lotwilted, with bare branches and a mulchy floor.
“Farron taught me a fairy light spell.” I point to the top of the tree where tiny little lights bob around the branches. “He helped me drag in all these pillows and blankets.” I gesture to the mounds of cushions all throughout the room. “Oh and see here!”
“There’s more?”
In the far corner is the spread of all the food I made. Beside that is a big pile of snow that I’m using to store bowls of ice cream and cold drinks. “Kel made that. I’ve never used ice magic before.Though, there’s always time to practice. Not in the training arena though, because that’s, uh, collapsed …”
I trail off awkwardly as Wrenley gives me a flat stare.
“Why don’t you head into the privy, dearie, and put that gown on?” Marigold places a hand on Wrenley’s back and directs her to the attached washroom.
“Ugh …” I rub my hands over my eyes once she leaves. “Why am I such a mess?”
“You’re doing great, Rosalina!” Astrid smiles.
There’s a light knock on the door. “Come in,” I sigh, flopping down on the cushions.
“Thought I’d see how it’s going,” Caspian says, sliding inside and raising a dark brow. “Oh, very cozy.”
The privy door opens, and Wrenley walks out wearing the frilly nightdress. With her short brown curls and heart-shaped face, she looks younger than when dressed in her acolyte robes.
Caspian snorts when he sees her. “Nice pajamas.”
