“Have you eaten, dear?” the girl working on my hair asked quickly.
I shook my head, but of course before I could answer properly, Elsie took the pleasure instead. “It doesn’t matter, our wine is strong. Give her some blushberries.”
Elara quickly obeyed, dropping the braid to reach for a small bowl of berries that they’d been feasting on while helping me dress.
“Open wide.” She smiled sweetly before shoving a handful of pink berries into my mouth. While they tasted quite pleasant, I wasn’t sure I appreciated the forced feeding. “If you feel the wine is making your head spin, you should try to eat something. Otherwise, you’ll be too busy dancing around the room naked to try and convince Arenn to choose you.”
“Don’t give her any ideas! You know how desperate some girls get around our brother.”
The pair of them tittered with laughter.
A few minutes later, Elsie was smoothing my gown while Elara applied the finishing touches of a strange pink substance to my lips. There was no denying that the twins were talented. They hadn’t changed or glamoured anything, only used pretty fabrics, creamy ointments, and hair twists to enhance what was already there. The backless purple gown clung to my curves in a way that was even more scandalous than the Cedrelei dress I’d worn three nights prior. If Lukas were seeing this, he’d probably throw a fit and then demand I marry him immediately.
Not that it mattered what he thought.
Of course.
“Remember, don’t drink too much wine.” One of them waggled her slender finger at me, hauling me out from my daydream.
“And don’t go skulking off with another faery and breaking our dear brother’s heart!” the other one huffed. I wasn’t given a chance to reply as more pink paste was smeared onto my lips.
Then finally, after smoothing out my skirts for the fifth time and triple-checking that there wasn’t a single blonde curl out of place, the girls both grinned at each other as they sang in unison, “She’s ready!”
CHAPTER 28
While the magic in the palace halls might’ve been thick enough to taste, it was there – at Luminessia – that enchantment seemed to touch everything. Everything from the gilded tables loaded with glistening, steaming food, to the hundreds of faeries that socialised around us, their unusually coloured hair and skin shimmering in the light. Even the servants were well-dressed for the occasion, wearing ruffled shirts and velvet waistcoats.
There were no windows in the ballroom, but it didn’t seem to matter as the dark-walled chamber was spectacularly lit up by thousands of glowing faery lights. They floated around the ceiling as though they were fireflies, casting shadows against the black, glittering floor. Glancing down, it was like floating over the night sky as my feet padded against it.
“This way, Princess.” The twins led the way in their matching ruby gowns. There was no music playing yet; the only sounds being the excited whispers from the surrounding fae.
“Any minute now Arenn will make his appearance, then the fun begins!” Elsie shot me a grin. Thankfully, before we’d left, the girls had fussed with their own outfits, taking a full minute to decide who would get to wear their mother’s emerald necklace. Eventually, Elara had emerged victorious, and Elsie settled for a sapphire choker. I was just grateful for a way to tell them apart.
The twins ushered me towards a quieter area on the dancefloor, with a good view of an empty balcony near the back of the ballroom. They babbled eagerly, but I was too focused on the faery lights that were now a little too bright and the sheer amount of fae bustling in the hall.
I was really going to need some of that faery wine soon.
“Dearest guests!” a booming voice bellowed from the balcony.
My head snapped up. Dressed in a black, gold-embroidered overcoat was King Bevan. He peered down upon us from his position on the balcony, leaning over the railing. An extravagant flower crown sat proudly on his greying hair, while golden jewellery set with gemstones as big as my fists adorned the rest of his body.
“I stand before you here tonight to announce the beginnings of Luminessia, the highly anticipated celebration where my dear son, Prince Arenn, will choose his bride.”
His speech continued, but it didn’t take long before my attention was snatched away by someone making loud gobbling sounds nearby. Elsie had pinched a bowl of candied fruits from the buffet and was wolfing each one down, ignoring the glares from the surrounding fae and the burning disdain from her sister.
As I watched her, a sniffle of laughter breached my throat. Her distraction was a welcome one.
“Soon, we will invite all eligible ladies to the dance floor.” My hearing shifted back to the King, who was gesturing broadly at the floor below him. “But first, please welcome my beloved son,and the reason for our celebration tonight, Prince Arenn.”
Starlight cape billowing behind him, the prince marched out from behind his father. As he reached the balcony, a roar of intense claps and cheers erupted over the ballroom. Even Elsie paused her chomping for a brief moment to whoop in her brother’s direction. Lifting a hand, the prince waved to the crowds, and as he flashed a dazzling smile, I could’ve sworn a faery girl fainted nearby. It was difficult, but I resisted the urge to check on her. Nobody can die from swooning, right?
“Cherished citizens,” Arenn announced, his velvety voice silencing the crowd. “I am so honoured that you have all gathered here today to celebrate my enchanting night. For so many years, I have dreamt of what this evening would bring, and now as I look out upon a sea of captivating faces, I cannot wait to finally meet my bride.”
Thunderous applause rippled through the fae, and a few brave young ladies squealed with excitement, jumping and flailing their arms, desperate for even a trickle of attention. The adoration seemed to make the prince’s skin glow as he basked in their awe.
“Now please, enjoy the festivities, and may you all be blessed with true love tonight.” Arenn ended his speech with a bold flourish as rose petals began to rain down from the ceiling. The audience went wild trying to catch them, each wanting to touch a little piece of him, even if it was a mere conjured rose petal.
But the second he’d disappeared from the balcony, my focus wasn’t on the falling roses. Instead, I searched around for the one thing I needed most.
