Page 116 of Crown of Slumber

Warmth spread over my skin, making my blood heat. What was I doing? I did not love Fenn, and it was cruel of me to expect anything to happen between us. He knew how I felt.

Which was… what? What did I feel for him? Not love, no. But… something. Definitely something.

Even so, it didn’t matter. After tonight, I would leave. Our bargain would come to an end. We would never have to see each other again.

The thought should have brought me relief. After all, I would finally be able to return home to forests and sunshine. I would be able to break the curse on my kingdom. All would be well.

I swallowed down my uncertainty and forced a smile as Cela stood back to allow me to look over my appearance. She had painted rouge on my lips and cheeks, bringing out the rosiness of my complexion. With the rose gold dress, and my natural flushed skin tone, my whole appearance seemed more pink. Even my hair seemed to shine with a more coral tint than its usual pale orange.

The final touch was a smattering of some kind of sparkling gel that Cela dabbed all over my skin, explaining that it was customary to adorn one’s body to look like the stars. When my arms moved, the faint glitter particles shimmered in the light.

“You look radiant, miss,” Cela breathed, her eyes wide with awe. “A vision. Truly.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Cela. You are a miracle worker! I never could have managed this on my own. Thank you.”

She curtsied, her face turning crimson, but her expression pleased.

“Fenn tells me the entire kingdom, regardless of their station, is invited to the fete,” I said. “Will you be attending?”

She grinned. “Yes, miss. I never miss it!”

I smiled. “I’m glad. I will see you there. You should go and get yourself ready. I have everything I need.”

“Are you certain, miss?”

“Absolutely. Thank you again.”

She bobbed another curtsy before leaving the room. I took a deep, steadying breath. I could do this. My stomach knotted at the idea of facing Fenn after… after everything. And the thought of summoning Mal, bringing him here among a crowd of hostile enemies? Would he even answer my call?

I knew he would. Mal never failed to come when I called, no matter the danger. He would lay down his life for me.

But that was exactly what I was afraid of. I envisioned the courtiers going wild with rage at the sight of a dragon, wielding swords and daggers as they tried to take his life.

But no. This was foolish. The kingdomneededDragonfire. They needed Mal alive.

I tried to be comforted by this, but the knots in my stomach only tightened. My breath was shaky as I left my bedchamber, the soft silk of my skirt whispering with my steps. My sandals were light and comfortable, which was unexpected. In the Summer Court, I was always expected to wear tight contraptions that scrunched my toes and made me ache for days.

Then again, this court was already proving to be different. Looser, more revealing clothing, more cavalier behaviors, and a fete that brought the entire kingdom together. My court did nothing like that. All our balls and festivals were only for a certain group of people—balls for the courtiers, and festivals for the commoners. We never mingled.

But perhaps, with this alliance, that could change. I loved the idea of bringing our people together, regardless of class or social status. What a beautiful way to unite a kingdom.

It was so unexpected, so surprising, coming from a court that had a reputation for being brutal and deadly, full of darkness and despair. How had I been so wrong about the Midnight Court for so long?

I made my way down the hall and descended the staircase. Already, a low babble of voices echoed from below. I was reminded of my time in the Autumn Court, of the nerves that twisted through my body for an entirely different reason as I faced the brute who assaulted me.

But already, this was proving to be so very different. The lights in the sconces glowed a silvery blue, and they barely illuminated the staircase and foyer. A dome-shaped window was built into the vaulted ceiling, through which a glittering sky full of stars shone. The crescent moon gleamed, and with the low light in the palace, it allowed the moon to be the brightest source of light. I knew this was done intentionally. Halfway down the stairs, I paused to gaze up at the starry sky through the ceiling, my chest swelling with awe and wonder.

It was breathtaking. I couldn’t deny it.

A small smile lit my face as I descended the final steps, weaving through various figures to make my way to the outer courtyard. Most of the people here were eager nobility or castle staff, the bulkof the guests having not arrived yet. I recognized one of the maids as a friend of Cela’s and nodded politely at her.

I also swept past Lord Northall, who wrinkled his nose as I passed. He had been one of the lords vehemently opposed to my union with Fenn. I kept my head held high as I passed, not even bothering to acknowledge him.

After tonight, everything would change. He would probably despise me, yes. But tonight, Fenn and I would prove just how much this alliance could change things for the better.

When I stepped through the open double doors leading to the courtyard, the chill of night swept over me, raising the hairs on my arms. I rubbed them to ward it off, then sucked in a sharp breath as I took in the scene before me.

The courtyard opened up to a vast and expansive field surrounded by trees, with faerie lights stringing from branch to branch, glowing with that same light blue ethereal glow. Across the field was the brilliant silver river, which seemed to shine even brighter than the moon. Sparkling lights glistened from within the churning water, which I knew now to be the stardust embedded in the sediment below. Several braziers lined the river bank, but they were empty, waiting for the fire of a dragon to fuel them. Fenn told me the magic of the faerie lights would ward off attacks from the unseelie, but the lights only lasted an hour.

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