Page 73 of The Truth-Teller's Bargain

All eyes were on Kerrigan, who had been uncharacteristically quiet on the subject. After several beats, she gave a shrug.

“Sounds fun. I’m in.”

Emi gasped in sudden realization, her eyes widening in panic. “I have nothing to wear!”

Alethea couldn’t help a small chuckle, and she certainly wasn’t the only one. “What do you wear to a Revel?” she asked.

Nakir and Emi exchanged a look.

“She’s never been to a Revel? Well, ofcourseshe hasn’t. We’re going back to the dress shop!” Emi announced with a sudden authority that could only come from a woman who had nothing to wear to a party.

“Again?” Alethea asked, eyebrows arching in surprise.

“Again!” Emi confirmed, beaming her brilliant smile.

Nakir set to work folding up the maps, but Alethea didn’t miss the way his lips twitched as if he were holding back a smile. “We’ll begin packing up camp the day of the Revel. That way, we’ll be ready to go the next morning. We may be a bit tired after staying up all night, but it’s another two days to Edysos, and we should move out as soon as possible. Depending on the answer we get from Emre, we’ll likely turn around and meet the Meseiran troops on the way back to Hyelea, along with the rest of our army. I’m sure they’re ready for some action.”

The thought of any bloodshed at all was enough for Alethea’s stomach to churn. “And then?” she asked.

“Hopefully, your mother will see she’s been betrayed by more than half her Great Lords and Ladies, and she’ll take one look at our combined forces and surrender peacefully. If not... Well, then we have little choice than to meet her on the battlefield. Either way, this may be over in a matter of weeks.”

A matter of weeks. The last thing Alethea wanted was a bloodbath for the Lenorean throne. If the Empress sent considerable forces to back the queen, it could end in horrible loss of life. She didn’t know how to live with herself knowing in a few weeks, tens of thousands of people were going to be fighting over who got to sit on the throne.

Emi distracted her well enough with a trip into the city for yetanotheroutfit, but it became clear her friend was primarily looking for an excuse to spend time together. She pelted Alethea with questions about how dinner had gone with the Great Lord and Lady, about what the castle was like, and how she was healing from her wounds. Alethea had recovered supernaturally fast thanks to the incredible work of the Healers, but it was thoughtful of Emi to check in.

“I’m a little nervous about the Revel,” she admitted as they tried on dresses in the back room of the cozy shop.

The brunette had donned a stunning burgundy dress embroidered with flowers that brought out the warm tones of her skin and her hair. “That’s understandable,” she said as she checked out her reflection in the mirror, twisting and turning to see how the gown moved. “I’m happy to tell you what I know or to answer any questions. But there’s no need to participate in anything that doesn’t sound fun or comfortable.”

Alethea peered out from behind the curtain of her dressing room, biting her lip nervously. “Nakir mentioned... substances?”

“Oh! Well, yes. Nymphroot is most common. It’s smoked or eaten, and it makes you feel... floaty. Some people feel giggly, happy, or relaxed. Sometimes, it can make people a bit paranoid. But there will be wine, of course, and other spirits, then there will also likely be ambrosia. Not to mention, there are always hallucinogenic mushrooms at these. They’re intense, and that can be a fun journey, but they make my stomach hurt, so I stay away from them at Revels. The last thing I want to be worrying about is where the nearest toilet is.”

Alethea finally stepped out in a dark blue velvet dress that hung from her shoulders with a graceful elegance. The dress was a perfect fit, hugging her waist before flowing down into a floor-length skirt that trailed behind her with every step she took. Intricate silver embroidery adorned the bodice, depicting constellations and stars in a whirling pattern. Each star seemedto sparkle as if reflecting the real night sky, giving the impression the universe itself had been woven into the fabric. As she moved, the dress shimmered, creating an illusion of stars twinkling in the night.

“Wow. You have to wear that dress! It’s like it was made for you.”

Alethea’s stomach fluttered at the compliment, and she glanced in the mirror. The woman staring back at her was hardly recognizable.

“What’s ambrosia?”

“It’s an intense aphrodisiac. It makes every single touch, sound, and sensationincredible. It can be overwhelming, but it can also be magical. It can come with a hangover the next day, just like drinking too much wine. But it’s a drink that often makes you want to dance or do... other things.”

Emi’s wink sent Alethea blushing to her toes.

She swallowed, fretting with a loose bit of hair that had fallen from her braid. “Other things?”

“Oh, you know! Don’t tell me you’ve never engaged inthosekinds of activities before.” Emi’s grin was too wide, as if she were ready to pounce and devour Alethea whole.

Alethea said nothing for a moment, her fingers stilling on the fabric of her dress. She knew what Emi meant. She simply hadn’t had the opportunity—or the freedom—to find out for herself. “Some of them,” she said finally, quietly. “Not all.” Warmth flooded her as she remembered the way Nakir had kneeled between her legs just before the camp was attacked all those nights ago.

“Well, a Revel would certainly be an interesting place to try whatever you wanted withwhomeveryou wanted.” The brow-waggle Emi shot her was too obvious, and she flushed from head to toe. That was assuming whoever she wanted toengagewith was also interested inengagingwith her.

“I doubt anything like that will happen,” Alethea murmured,her gaze focused on her reflection in the mirror, but her mind was a thousand miles away.

“Mmm.” Emi’s noncommittal sound had her blushing further.

“What about you?” Alethea shot back quickly, desperate for the attention to be on someone else. “Do you have any... partners? Lovers?” The word was foreign on her tongue.