Queen of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms, #5)(44)
“Beautiful? I look like I lost a bet with a seamstress who wrapped me in yards of fabric!”
A soft chuckle left my lips. “You do not, Esme. You look like a fairy princess.”
“Seriously? Fuck being a fairy farting princess!” she snarled as the women backed away with anxious energy oozing from them. “I never agreed to wear a gown!”
“Thank you, ladies,” I acknowledged before fighting a smile as Esme picked up the mirror from the table and studied her reflection. “You are safe with me. It’s okay to be beautiful and womanly. I’d eat their faces if they thought to touch you without your permission. You know that.” At my reassurance, she slid her violet stare in my direction.
“I look like a princess?”
“I wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true,” I pointed out as I turned toward the sound of footsteps coming down the hallway. “They’re growing impatient.”
“Who the hell does he think is summoning you?” Esme grabbed the silk cape they’d offered her to appease her modesty as she headed toward me.
“Someone who hasn’t been told ‘no’ before. That would be my guess.” The entryway doors opened, and I turned in time to see Eva walk in, wearing a leather uniform. Eva’s eyes slid over me before sliding it to Esme. Then she gave us a slight nod of approval.
“I’ll be escorting you to the field today.” Then her attention fell on the creatures stretched over the settee. “Where did you get those things?” Her tone hinted at unease, causing my lips to twitch. “Who did they adhere to on your way here?”
“I found them before I found Scylla. I think they’re cute, plus, they seem able to fend for themselves.” Shrugging at the horror stamped on her face, I licked my lips. “Could you maybe tell me why our presence is needed elsewhere today?” The ladies who’d bombarded the chamber had said Aden insisted they dress us, but I’d heard another say that the king had sent them. If anyone knew why we were being forced to be up at this ungodly hour, it would be Eva.
“Griffon thought you’d like to see and learn about our traditions. Today’s tournament will be a good starting point. Plus, you’ll be able to meet a few of your brothers today. Vane, your oldest brother, has returned from scouting the mountain ranges. He’s eager to have a sister, or so he claims. Aden also wished for you to be present for his rematch against Zyion,” she explained. “You shouldn’t entertain any salacious thoughts for Zyion Vicious, Aria. He’s problematic, and his reputation is as obscured as his past is.” Folding her arms over her breasts, she dared me to argue with her.
“Why do you all seem so hung up on something I have no interest in? Does no one even care that I have no interest in making Aden my anything? Even if I had entertained it at one time, I don’t anymore—not after I heard him talking about only wanting me so he can gain the throne. I’d rather a callous bastard be at my side than some bastard who thinks to manipulate me.” Eva opened her mouth to argue, but I held my hand up to prevent it. “Save it. I’m over everyone telling me who I should be interested in or who I shouldn’t. That’s not even on my list of shit I’m worried about. The politics don’t concern me right now.” They did, but I wasn’t about to give her any secrets. I also wasn’t willing to defend my love life to anyone here. There were much more pressing concerns than who was ringing my devil’s doorbell.
“We shan’t keep the men waiting.”
“Shan’t we?” I somehow returned with a straight face.
“No, she shan’t. Come,” she ordered as she left the chamber without waiting to see if we followed behind her.
“Shan’t we?” I wiggled my brows at Esme, who snorted.
“You are using it wrong, Aria.” At the door, she paused. “I shan’t go before you, Your Majesty.”
“But that was correct?” I asked with a frown pulling on my lips. Esme laughed as we rushed down the hallway in the thin sandals that they’d given us to wear. The thin, silver chains wrapped around our calves of our legs before attaching leather bands high on our thighs clinked softly.
The guards bowed to Eva as we neared the doors exiting the wing, which we’d been placed in. One of them paused as he rose, his eyes growing doe-like as he took in Esme. Turning toward her, I smirked as her cheeks reddened at his obvious gazing at her beauty. The other one cleared his throat, alerting the other to his gawking at her. Once we passed them, Esme turned back and let out an unladylike snort.
“Do try to pretend to have manners,” Eva stated offhandedly.
“We’ll do our best not to embarrass you, Lady Eva,” I muttered sarcastically.
Eva spun around so swiftly I had to come to an abrupt halt. “Are we a joke to you?” It filled her voice with emotion, which made my smile drop.
“No, of course not.” I swallowed past the lump growing in my throat. Offending her hadn’t been my intent, but being deprived of sleep wasn’t helping my mind consider anything other than the delirium setting in.
“Do you know what it has been like for us? We’ve been forced from our homes, lost loved ones to both dragons and witches, and told to wait around for the one who’s supposed to save us all. But you don’t seem worried in the least bit about our plight. You merely see a thriving civilization, which is what Griffon wanted you to see. That’s what you see from the outside, looking in. You don’t see the pain the dragons inflicted when they eradicated entire bloodlines from existence. The people you’re supposed to rule over? They’d buried their loved ones lost at the hands of the man you . . .” Lowering her eyes, she lifted them with tears swimming in them. “It doesn’t matter what you said. I honestly don’t care if you are with him personally. But others see it as a betrayal against those they’ve lost during the dragon wars. Griffon knew the land would accept you, but even though it has, it doesn’t mean the people will. You don’t have to know the history to know this: Dragons fight dirty, even to this day. They broke the rules of engagement when they defiled the queen’s tomb, tossing her remains around as if she’d been nothing. Royals have always been, and will always be, off-limits.”