She glances at me. “I just invited you.”
It’s not Epsilon Sinta who has the authority to invite people to live in the castle, but she was being kind, and I have good manners when I choose to use them. They were beaten into me. “I’d rather not, but thank you for the offer.”
She shrugs, the movement slight and naturally graceful. “I’ll ask again. Maybe you’ll change your mind.”
Something about the way she says that reminds me of Griffin. Jocasta looks harmless, and she’s more subtle, but I have a feeling she’s as obstinate as her brother.
“Let’s see what fits,” she says, picking through the dresses.
I spend the next half hour trying on gowns that were custom-made for royalty. Jocasta gives her honest opinion about each, and I feel uncomfortable, like Eleni is in the room with us, a ghost of companionship that has no place in my life anymore. We end up with four dresses that fit and a few others that simply need shortening. They’re all similar in cut, with deeply scooped necklines, cinched waists, and long, flowing skirts that float around my ankles. Some have geometric patterns bordering the hems or gold cording crisscrossing the front from under the bust to low on the hips. All the dresses are held up by thin gold chains that buckle at the shoulders or behind the neck.
I look down, swishing my skirts. White and ivory flatter my complexion, but I prefer bold colors, and vanity makes me like this sea-green dress best. It’s a good match for my eyes. The draping is soft and light, flattering my curves. I haven’t been in linen this fine in years, and I can’t tell if my shiver as it tickles my legs is from pleasure or unease.
“This one suits you,” Jocasta says, echoing my thoughts. “Wear it tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“For dinner.”
“I don’t have to dress like this for the refectory.”
“But you’re dining with us.”
My stomach dips at the thought of seeing Griffin, especially dressed like this. “Why?”
She looks at me strangely. “Because we want you to.”
“Beta Team doesn’t eat with the royals.”
Jocasta laughs. The sound is light and full of joy. I wonder what my laughter would be like if I’d had a life like hers. “Half of Beta Team is royal. Besides, you’re more than just Beta Team.”
Whoa. What? “What do you mean?” I keep my voice even and airy. It doesn’t reflect years of wariness.
Jocasta takes a green ribbon from the pile of accessories on my bed. It matches the gown. “Griffin is ten years older than I am. All my life, I’ve seen women watch him, want him.” She presses the ribbon into my hand. “He looks at you the way they look at him.”
Adrenaline floods me until it feels like my heart is about to explode.
“You’re coming to dinner,” she says firmly, her azure eyes steady on mine.
I shake my head, fighting a rising sense of panic. “It’ll never happen.”
She gathers discarded gowns, the ones that didn’t fit. “Dinner or Griffin?”
“Griffin. He’ll get over it.”
She smiles at me like she pities me. “He’s very persistent.”
“I’m stubborn.”
“He’s stubborn.”
I swallow, thinking I might pity myself a little bit right now, too. “He abducted me. He threatened my friends. He kept me tied to him with a magic rope. I couldn’t even pee by myself. He’s awful.”
“You’ll get over it.” Jocasta cheerfully throws my own words back at me. “See you at dinner.”
I gape at her as she leaves. It’s strange not having the last word.
*
We lose ourselves in the trees and throw knives until our hands are raw. Flynn and Kato are hitting the target more often than not. I never miss, which leaves me arrogant and gleeful and them looking for a way to take me down. Wrestling does the trick.
“Gods! What do they feed you in the south? Minotaur meat?” I kick Flynn off me with a groan.
He grins, springing nimbly to his feet. “Another go?”
I shake my head, declining another squashing. “Why don’t we train with the others?” Everyone else from the barracks is in the blazing heat of the Athena courtyard with Piers, undergoing traditional drills.
Kato winks at me. “Because we’re better.”
“True.” I glance at the sky.
Kato squints up with me. “What are we looking for?”
“Lightning bolts. Punishment for our overwhelming arrogance.”