I blinked.So they don’t have boundaries or manners. Great.
“Are you using those?” she asked, gesturing to the cosmetics on the dresser.
“I don’t really think I need it.”
“Nobody said you need it, Red. I just thought you might like it,” she said with a playful edge in her voice. She was wearinga red lip colour and a slightly darker shade over her eyelids. It suited her.
“Is everything all right? With the border,” I asked, watching her from the mirror. She must have arrived a few hours ago, which meant that Reagan might be back as well. “I heard you had a security problem.”
She stopped behind me, casually folding her arms and resting her weight on one leg. “Everything is fine,” she answered, flashing her brows and smirking. “And I’m feeling generous.”
“So you brought the powder and these other things for me?” I guessed. She nodded, as if it were obvious, which somehow surprised me all the same.
“It’s my peace offering. Though I thought about bringing you Reagan’s head, but I hear you’re quite fond of him now.”
“Who told you that?” I asked, looking at her through the mirror, with a bored expression on my face.
“He said he’s already won the human over.”
Ass.
“One civil conversation, and he thinks he’s won me over?”
She chuckled, handing me the rose lipstick. “I thought as much. Now put this on and let’s go to dinner. I’m starving.”
Peering at her, I couldn’t find any reason why she would offer me this or even bother, and I very much doubted she would give me a straight answer if I asked. The only reason I could fathom was kindness, and that unsettled me. I decided to accept and turned back to the cosmetics.
“I don’t usually darken my lashes,” I admitted, lifting the small black flask. “I’ll just make a mess.”
Gwinifer leaned in, a smug smile playing on her lips. “Then allow me.”
???
Gwinifer had painted my lips a soft rose that accented the freckles on my nose and cheeks. My lashes were darker and longer, making my hazel eyes stand out. The changes were subtle, almost imperceptible, but I could see the difference.
We entered the dining room together, where the rest of the castle staff was already gathered, including Finn and Reagan. My heart raced at the sight of the emissary, and I held the urge to ask about my family right at the door. He seemed relaxed, resting his back against the chair, his smile soft but closed-lipped. I hoped this was a good sign.
Gwinifer gave me a meaningful look, and with a sigh, I followed her.
On our way there, she asked if I was going to act like a coward and seclude myself on the far side of the table again. The insult was sheer provocation, yet I still gave in, maybe because now I had the feeling—or illusion—that my life was not at such risk as before.
So I took the seat she’d skipped, between her and Reagan, invisible hands pulling the chair for me.
“Don’t you look like a siren, Jane,” Cerridwen murmured with an approving smile. She wore a sophisticated black dress paired with a grey scarf draped over her arms, which made her look sharp and classy.
“A what?” I asked, sitting down as Gwinifer did the same.
“A siren,” Gwinifer echoed. “She’s trying to compliment you, but Cerridwen hasn’t given or received a compliment in years. She’s forgotten what they should sound like.”
Cerridwen rolled her eyes at the battle mage. Barracus raised his eyebrows, looking as amused as I thought possible for him.
The brush of phantom fingers rested on my nape, and I chose to pretend I didn’t notice.
“Siren as a compliment?” I asked, settling into my chair and squinting at her. “I thought they were ugly and evil. Creatures who lured sailors to their doom with their singing.”
“And with their eyes,” Barracus added. He must have been in a good mood today.
The only reaction I noticed from Reagan was his slightly surprised, assessing gaze following me. To be fair, it was the first time I’d sat beside him, which might have explained it.
