Page 4 of Twisted Royals

“Ah, yes. So, I did.” Val’s eyes glistened and she cleared her throat. “More importantly, it was about five kilos ago. Press that one for the flight. It will look magnificent with her coloring.”

“Wait! I can’t wear that!” Val wasn’t paying me a damned bit of attention, but I felt like channeling my inner Indiana Jones and screaming, “It belongs in a museum!”

I couldn’t wrap my head around wearing something that probably touched Princess Diana. Aside from that, it didn’t have sleeves, and I wasn’t sure how she’d feel about me showing off the tattoo on my upper arm. I was proud of the inked Bar Nines brand that used to mark our livestock, yet I didn’t think it would be received well among European royalty and rich financiers.

“Ms. Lawton will need shoes as well.” Tati set several plastic boxes on the floor next to me. “I think she’s about your size, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Tati. I’d forgotten.” She knelt and scanned the boxes, then slid a pair of black stilettos free. “These will be perfect with the green sheath. Pack the black Louboutin boots as well, plus the cream patent ballet flats, the nude Manolos for the cocktail dress, and the peach Jimmy Choos to go with the ballgown.”

I closed my mouth and let the stylist fuss with my hair and makeup. The woman had a whole room devoted to shoes and handbags.

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“Oh, and fetch the sable cape from the cooler, please.”

“It’s July. I’ll be plenty warm enough,” I said before Tati scurried off on her errand.

“The cream cashmere wrap, the pink Hermes pashmina, plus the brown leather swing coat. Evenings do get chilly here.”

“I have a jacket. I’ll be fine.”

Both Val and Tati gave me the look my comment deserved, and I shut my mouth. Mama always told me to pick my battles, and I wasn’t going to win this one. At least I knew how to do my own makeup and hair and would be able to reproduce the look.

Besides, I wasn’t in a position to argue, considering I had literally nothing to wear. Knowing I’d be supplied with uniforms, all I’d brought were T-shirts and jeans, plus one off-the-rack maxi dress if I wanted to spiff up a little. I had a few inches on Val, so I couldn’t wear her trousers, but the dresses and skirts fit perfectly.

I was thrilled to be attending the meetings though. I’d get a chance to meet some of the most gifted researchers and astrophysicists in the world, but I was less than pleased with my companion. Ugh. How was I going to put up with Prince Savva for a whole week without wanting to smother him in his sleep?

Of course, the only time I’d actually have to see him would be during the meetings. Stockholm was a big city, and he already thought I was invisible. We wouldn’t be sharing a hotel room either, meaning he’d probably forget I existed before supper. Heck, if he found an accommodating woman, he might skip the meetings entirely.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t decide whether the thought made me angry or happy. What did I care who he knocked boots with, so long as he stayed out of my hair?

The short pep talk made me feel a little better about the whole thing. I could even compare the midnight silk suit and red-soled stilettos to my favorite jeans and riding boots. They were both work outfits, and I had to dress the part. I would also be representing Agafonza to some degree.

Aside from that, I wanted to make a good impression on the selection committee for my fellowship. If I was dressed appropriately, maybe my application would move closer to the top of the pile—if I got up the nerve to send it.

Tati took me behind a dressing screen and helped me into the green sheath dress and a pair of surprisingly comfortable high heels. Once I was dressed, the stylist put the finishing touches on my hair.

“Oh, and the most important thing.” Val sat next to me and opened a large jewelry case. “The diamonds will work with most of the looks, but I think I like these opals for the gown we chose for the banquet.”

And by we, Val meant she.

“Nope.” I held out my hands to fend her off. “I’m not going to fight you on the clothes because that would be idiotic, but I’m drawing the line at your jewelry.”

“You’re right. The diamonds are too much for a business meeting. How about?—”

“The pearl earrings I’m wearing right now, and I’ll get really fancy and change out my daith piercing for a gold one.”

“Do you like pearls?” she asked, giving me a sly smile I didn’t trust for a single danged second.

“Yes. Daddy gave me these for my sixteenth birthday.”

“It was a lovely gift. They’re beautiful.” She reached into the box for a velvet case about the size of a paperback. “I have just the thing to go with them.”

“I—” She opened the case and spilled a long strand of the most gorgeous black pearls I’d ever seen into my lap. “Lord have mercy.”

Hands shaking, I picked them up and tried to give them back, but she wouldn’t take them. Instead, she moved behind me and traced a finger over my helix piercing. “You could wear the white ones on top, and I have black ones for the bottom.”

“I don’t…” After taking them from me, she looped them into a choker around my neck and I almost whimpered. Like all good pearls, they were cool at first, then warmed to match my body temperature. “No, I can’t.”

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