Unsure if I was supposed to hear that, I ignored her thanks and hugged her back.
Thea pulled back and smiled brightly at me. “Then it’s a date. Bright and early tomorrow, we’ll set out for the human quarter.”
As Thea clapped her hands, her eyes lit up, and I knew nothing good was about to follow the mischievous look she was giving me.
“So, tell me,” Thea said. “Are you going to Prince Sterling’s ball tomorrow night? I hear it should be quite whimsical.” She gave a cutesy laugh.
I took a long drink from my glass of water before answering. In all honesty, I hadn’t really thought about Prince Sterling’s ball since the day I had received the invitation. My thoughts had been so consumed by my arcana testing and everything I’d found out about Sterling and the people of this court that the frivolous party had slipped my mind.
“I received an invitation, but there were no instructions for the response, so I didn’t send one. I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to go, especially considering the whole being-human aspect. I’m also not really in the mood to celebrate Sterling being home.” I put the glass down and tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “Besides,I have never been to a ball. I’m not familiar with the dos and don’ts of fae ball etiquette. Not to mention, I have absolutely nothing to wear.” I gestured to my basic attire.
“Oh, Aurelia, sweetie. I can help you out with all of that. Don’t worry your darling little head. You have a wardrobe in your suite, correct?”
I nodded.
“Perfect. I can come over later tonight and help you come up with something. It would be nice to see you and the girls outside of the arcana master’s chamber. This arcana testing has taken over so much of both our lives. It’ll be nice to get away from it for a bit.”
Thea’s enthusiasm for the ball and hanging out later rubbed off on me, as I was suddenly feeling a lot less dread about the ball. It had been a long while since I’d had anything that closely resembled a girlfriend. Thea was right—I had been so focused on arcana testing that a break from it all would be welcome.
“Sounds like a plan to me,” I agreed.
Thea’s face lit up at the confirmation. “Perfect! I’ll come by after dinner, and we’ll get you all sorted.” Thea squealed in delight at our girls’-night plans.
Chapter 30
Itook a large sip of the fruity, dry alcoholic drink Thea had brought. My cheeks radiated warmth from the unknown beverage. My tired mood had changed into a giggly one. “What did you say this was again, Thea?”
Thea’s head popped out of the wardrobe. “It’s an elderflower cider. Would you like some more?” She raised an eyebrow at my almost empty glass and smiled at me.
“Yes, please!” I replied cheerily.
Thea closed the wardrobe door and walked over to the cluttered small table where our snacks and bottles of cider sat. “Question. Does he just sit outside your room alone every night? Does he ever come inside and hang out with you?” Thea asked as she refilled my empty glass with more of the golden, effervescent drink.
“Who, Everett?” I asked. “He mostly just sits out there and does his own thing. He’d come in to hang out with me at first, but things got a bit uncomfortable after he told me what he thought of Sterling and the whole surrogate situation.” I walked over to my bed and flopped onto my back, letting my weary body sink into the soft bedding. “He’s also not the biggest fan of the girls. Nocturna makes him anxious.”
Nocturna and Astra were fast asleep in front of the fireplace, oblivious to the conversation currently being had.
Thea placed my drink on the bedside table and lay on the bed beside me. “Is it safe to assume that the things he said about theprince were not very flattering to hear for someone who has feelings for him?”
I whipped my head to the side and made a disgusted face at Thea. “I do not have feelings for him… anymore.” I stared up at the ceiling and thought about the fae man I had known back in the human realm and how I wished he were here right now.
“You might not currently, but it’s obvious that you cared deeply for the version of him that existed in your realm,” Thea said gently as she wiped a tear from my cheek.
Unaware that I had started crying, I sat up and wiped my face. “I think Sterling comes and visits me in my sleep,” I blurted out, sniffling.
Thea laughed. “And why would you think that?”
“I keep finding red hairs everywhere. On my bed. On my clothing. I think he’s coming into my room in his fox form.” My face reddened at the admission, realizing how silly this must sound.
“How does that make you feel?” Thea asked softly.
Pulling at a cuticle on my nail, I refused to look up as I answered. “It makes me angry. After everything I have been through and the things he has said to me, he thinks he can just be in my presence whenever he likes?” I stopped to take a steadying breath before my next admission. “Then there’s a small part of me that doesn’t mind it at all. I hate that part of me the most.”
I grabbed the drink from the bedside table and took a couple of sips, then I made my way over to the wardrobe. I needed to do whatever I could to avoid any more embarrassing confessions in my present state of inebriation.
“So, how about that dress for the ball?” I said with a sad sniffle.
Thea rolled onto her front, smiling at my attempt to change the subject. “It’s at the back of the wardrobe. I took the liberty of making it for you after you left the arcana master’s chamber this afternoon. I hope you like it.”
