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“What costume do you have for her then?” his father finally asks after composing himself.
“You’ll see later,” Lux brushes him off.
But at this point I’ve already decided that whatever ugly costume they’ve picked out is going nowhere near me.
23
LUX
“You are coming to this party if I have to drag you there naked myself,” I taunt Eden, who’s backed up against her sewing desk like it would stand a chance at saving her from me.
I wouldn’t dare strip her, not with Father prowling around the manor. But she doesn’t know that. Doesn’t know much at all, apparently.
I knew the twelve dancing princesses were meant to be sheltered, but to not even know the name of the Lord of the Faerie Court? If Nem were to hear, he’d storm Sol’s silly golden palace himself. It’s outrageous.
“I told you before, I’m not going. And if you drag me there I’ll never forgive you!” Eden snarls.
“You’ll forgive me when you try the food there.” I place my hands on the desk, closing her in. “There’s apples dipped in toffee, pumpkin tarts, cinnamon swirls, mallowberries—”
Her breath catches. “Mallowberries?”
“Mmm,” I breathe. “Do you like them?” Please say yes. In her letters she spoke about how she loved sweet things, so I made sure this party had every kind of treat that even came close to the definition.
“Father put them out at a ball once.” I don’t miss the excitement in her gaze. “They were… decent, I suppose.”
Liar… I grin. “Have you ever tried them toasted?”
“Toasted?” she almost moans.
“Yes, they’re best when you toast them over a fire. Then you can sandwich them between two biscuits and some chocolate. You’ll never taste anything nicer.”
Her lips part, and it’s so hard to resist the urge to press mine against them. “I’ll come for a toasted mallowberry,” she says eventually. “But if I don’t like your party, then you have to let me go back to my room.”
“Of course.” I smile. “Wear the costume I had made for you and you may do whatever you please.”
Her gaze flashes. “What about going home?”
Chuckling, I push a stray curl behind her ear. “This is your home, my darling.”
“You know what I mean!”
I sigh. “No, you may not leave this manor. Not until I deem it necessary.”
She must be feeling the pain of not accepting her side of the bond by now. Even if it’s just a slight ache, she’ll be feeling something. And she’s not going anywhere until that something is dealt with.
“How do you feel?” My lips brush across her forehead.
“I feel like I want to go and see my sisters.” She turns her head away.
“You will. Just not today. For now, you should try on your costume.” I tilt her chin towards the pink Sleeping Beauty gown I had custom-made for her. It’s been draped across her bed, its long, dusty-pink skirt almost touching the floor.
Tulle roses have been stitched onto the bodice while a black briar pattern creeps up the skirt. It’ll match perfectly with my blue and silver Prince Charming-inspired suit and Castor’s dark fairy costume.
After all, Eden’s basically been our own Sleeping Beauty for the past month. It’s only fitting.
Eden stares at the gown, chewing her lip. “I’d have to make a few adjustments before I wear it.”
“It should fit you perfectly already. Maple took your measurements while you slept.”
