Page 73 of The Rose in the Shadows

I stiffened immediately, then mentally chastised myself. Of course, I hadn’t hidden it well. I’d clearly shown how tense I was as I looked anywhere in the room but at Clay. It didn’t take any particular intelligence to figure out what had made me uncomfortable, and Iris was no fool. Kicking myself for not beingmore subtle and desperate to escape her inquisition, I stood and made my way to my closet, where Clay’s dress hung. Perhaps if I could rush myself into it, I could end this conversation before it started.

“Well?” she demanded as she followed me through my suite, arms firm on her hips.

“Someone tried to kill me last night,” I reminded her. “I’m allowed to seem a little off this morning.”

Iris chuckled, and for a brief, glorious moment, I thought she might let the conversation go, but she didn’t shy away from my gaze as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“I know you heard us last night.”

I turned away from her, desperate to avoid the conversation, only to finally glimpse the gown Clay had chosen for me.

“Oh,” I gasped.

Clay’s choice of gown had surprised me once more; this time, he had left me utterly breathless.

It was stunning. The full sleeves were made of a sheer fabric that would drape off my shoulders. The tight white bodice was constructed of the most delicate lace, which met the swell of a full tulle shirt. I turned it in my hands, running my fingers over the long cape that extended from where the dress would meet my shoulder blades. It was impossibly long, and I was sure it would extend for a few feet behind me as I walked. The capes’ edges had been fitted with lace and tiny, barely noticeable crystals. The Mark on my chest would be visible to all, so the Dragon would be happy. And it was elaborate enough that it would reflect my status as a royal family member, but it was far more simplistic than the formal gowns I had previously been gifted.

He had obviously considered my tastes when picking it for me.

And the thought of Clay carefully thinking over which dress I would most like to wear made me feel things I wasn’t ready to give voice to.

I sighed as I ran my fingers over the soft fabric. I couldn’t avoid this conversation. Not when Clay’s affections for me were so clear in this choice of dress.

“Well, I hardly think you can blame me for the fact that neither of you is very good at whispering.”

Wiggling her finger at me playfully, she pulled the dress off its hanger and gestured for me to disrobe so she could slip it over my head. It slid on perfectly, fitting every part of me immaculately. My shoulders straightened as she pulled the laces at my back, and I could only imagine how I looked.

“The bruises?” I asked, noticing where they were visible through the sheer fabric.

“Let them see,” Iris practically growled. “Show the world it’ll take more than that to knock you down.”

We were quiet then as she laced the gown tightly and began twisting my hair out of my face. Finally, she wrapped a diamond diadem onto my head and gently smoothed a sparkling powder onto my collar bones. It brought your eye directly to my Descendant’s Mark and the bruises surrounding it. I knew that wasn’t a coincidence. She remained focused on her work, and I didn’t dare interrupt. What was left to even say?

After she finished she retreated to my bed-chamber, where she fell into the sheets of my bed. Seeing the dark circles under her eyes was easier without her regular extravagancies. She was exhausted. Iris was like her cousin in that way, always hiding her true feelings behind a mask. Where he took on the role of a somber diplomat, she hid behind her boisterous fashions and makeup. I wondered if we were all hiding behind something.

“You know, Dragons have taken mistresses before,” she whispered, as I laid back beside her.

“With other Council members?”

The idea of being anyone’s mistress didn’t particularly thrill me, but I doubted it was even possible for me. Clay’s duties weren’t the only ones in question here. I had responsibilities of my own. I doubted I could serve as a mistress outside of my eventual marriage and have children with questionable parentage. No, there could be no doubt as to the bloodline of my children. So, while it may be okay for a male king to take another lover, it would never be acceptable for me.

She frowned. “Well, Theadora, just you being here, years after the extinction of House Hyrax, is already accomplishing the impossible. Who’s to say you can’t or won’t continue to establish new norms?”

“Andthat’sthe groundbreaking change I want to accomplish? Serving as a king’s common whore?”

She flinched at my words, and for the first time since I arrived in Athenia I felt a mask settle overme.

I couldn’t just be Thea. Not anymore. Not after everything that had happened. I needed to be the leader of my House.

“This is not up for discussion, Iris. And I would appreciate if you were not to repeat what we have said here.”

Her brow furrowed with what almost looked like disappointment as she took in my tone. After a moment, she bowed her head respectfully. “Very well, my lady.”

For a moment, I felt the sting of bitter regret. What was I doing? It wasn’t like me to talk down to my friends simply because I had the status to do so. Wasn't the fact that I avoided doing that one of the things Clay liked about me?

Wasn't that one of the things I liked about myself?

A knock sounded then, pulling me from any of those thoughts, and Iris wordlessly collected her things as I went to open the heavy wooden door with shaking hands.

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