The lady servant’s affinity, as I’d come to learn in the previous weeks, was that of beauty. She could make anything look beautiful, whether that be a decorative array of flowers in a vase, an arrangement of pillows on a bed, or the styling of one’s hair and makeup.
Some fae considered superficial affinities such as Daiseeum’s to be inadequate, since her magic didn’t hold anything mighty or powerful, but I’d come to see just how talented she was. The lady’s servant had a gift of making any fairy look their best, and for the first time since I’d met her, I didn’t try to restrain her from wielding her magic.
I was meeting the king after all.
“Daiseeum?” I said as she twirled a hot iron through my hair. Strands of silver fell around me. The prince hadn’t shattered his illusion again, not since he’d revealed to his brother what I was. “Do you know Lord Crimsonale?”
Daiseeum’s fingers faltered, just for a moment, before she steadied her hand, and a soft curl twirled from the iron. “I know of him, my lady.”
“Can you tell me what you know?”
Her lips pursed. “He’s a very powerful lord from Osaravee Territory. He’s the territory’s archon, so he sits on the king’s council. His father only stepped down from his title perhaps five winters ago, which allowed Lord Crimsonale to ascend, so he’s a somewhat new ruler in his area. I’ve heard that he’s very ambitious and is looking to stamp his mark. I also heard—” Her lips clamped closed.
“What else did you hear?”
“I shouldn’t speak so.”
“Please? I feel like I’m being thrown to the wolves tonight. I know nothing of the court.”
Her fingers continued to move assuredly through my hair as she clucked her tongue. “Very well. I heard that he can also be cruel. Trillis, a servant who works in the kitchens, told me that he purposefully burned one of the young males who had tripped while helping the lord dress. The lord’s shirt ripped, and Lord Crimsonale became angry.”
“Burned him how?”
“With his magic. Lord Crimsonale’s affinity is an element—fire. When he’s displeased, it’s been said he burns those who anger him.”
I made a disgusted face. “That’s horrible. Was the young male badly injured?”
“The entire layer of flesh on the back of his hand was burned through. Murl wasn’t powerful enough to fully heal the wound. That young male now carries a rather ugly scar.”
My stomach churned when I remembered the feeling I’d gotten from Lord Crimsonale when he’d appeared in Barvilum. I shuddered.
“And what else can you tell me of the court? Who do I need to be careful of? Who can I trust? Please tell me everything.”
Daiseeum continued to work her magic but gave a slight nod. “Very well, my lady.”
The minutes ticked by as her soft magic floated around me, and she filled me in on the court’s gossip and hierarchy. She went through all of the lords and ladies, what their rankings were, their affinities that she knew of, and which territories they called home, but they were all faceless names and titles. I didn’t know what kind of fae they were, if they were kind, cruel, noble, or mundane.
Daiseeum hummed in between divulging the court specifics, and her fingers moved with liquid grace as her magic grew in strength around me. “To be truly safe, simply steer clear of Lord Crimsonale and Arcane Woodsbury—the Isalee Archon’s third son. He’s been known to hurt animals and children, although he’s clever, so nothing has ever been pinned on him, but rumors follow him wherever he goes. Oh, and give Taberitha Wormiful, the archon of Kroravee Territory, a wide berth. She’s been known to eat young fae females for breakfast.” When my eyes widened, Daiseeum bumped me playfully. “Not literally, Ilara, but she’s a spiteful fairy who despises all females who climb higher than her on the social chain. She is from Kroravee after all, so it shouldn’t be too surprising.”
Holding still as Daiseeum did the finishing touches, I said, “All right. Stay away from Lord Crimsonale, Lord Woodsbury, and Lady Wormiful. Avoid those three at all costs, be wary of everyone else, and don’t draw attention to myself, and all should be fine. Did I understand that correctly?”
When I picked at my fingernail, Daiseeum patted my shoulder. “You shall be fine. I doubt the prince will leave your side.” She finished with the makeup she’d been wielding and gave a contented smile. “There, all done.” Her eyes sparkled with pride as she looked me over. “Come see.”
She led me to the floor-length mirror near the bathing chamber, and I gaped when I saw myself.
The silky dress shone like glass in the mirror, shiny and bright in the overhead fairy lights. A single pendant necklace dangled between my cleavage, drawing one’s attention there. I had no idea if the jewelry was real, but the sapphire sparkled and twinkled, reminding me of the jewel that Drachu had worn around his neck.
Around my waist, Daiseeum had added a jeweled belt, highlighting the swell of my hips and hourglass figure. Now that I’d had over a month of daily meals, I’d developed curves that I’d never known existed.
“How did you do this to my hair?” I asked, bringing a hand up to the delicate design. Glimmering gems glistened in the half-up, half-down style. Beautiful diamonds interwove through my curls, shifting and sparkling as though suspended in the strands, and the loose curls swirling through my long locks swayed like gentle waves in the Tala Sea.
“Magic.” Daiseeum smiled sweetly.
My makeup was also flawless, making my eyes look bigger and brighter, my lips fuller, and my cheekbones sharper. I still looked like me, but I’d never seen myself look so striking.
I pivoted, taking in the floor-length dress that moved like water. My entire back was exposed, and since the dress stopped in a V just above my backside, it drew attention to that area too. Since I’d gained weight, there was a definite curve to my bottom that hadn’t been there a month ago either.
I laughed in delight. “You’re amazing at this, Daiseeum. I never knew I could look so beautiful. Thank you.”
Daiseeum’s head bobbed, and her cheeks flushed as she curtsied. “I do so enjoy it, and you are truly exquisite, Ilara. You were already a beautiful canvas who just needed the finishing touches to be a true masterpiece.”
I grinned and clasped her hand before giving her a squeeze. Her cheeks pinked even more.
A soft knock came on my bedroom chamber door, and she hastily removed her hand. “That would be the prince. Right on time.”
The door opened, and the prince strode in. “Ilara? Are you ready to—”
The prince stopped in his tracks when he saw me, his eyes widening.
He stood at the threshold, dressed in the royal colors and in full uniform. His fitted tunic was deep blue with the royal crest on the side of his chest. Beneath it were the medals of honor that only royalty could wear, each proudly displayed. The decadence of his attire highlighted his wide shoulders, muscled arms, and large palms. Black leggings and knee-high black boots drew my attention to his strong thighs. Of course, I’d seen the prince in fine clothing before but nothing like this.
He didn’t say a word as his gaze swept over me, drinking me in as though I were a fine wine, and with each inch of his perusal, my heart beat harder and harder.