Page 58 of Crown of Slumber

My insides squirmed with unease, and I yearned for Mal’s comforting presence, for the way he would nudge my hand with his snout, sensing my distress.

But he wasn’t here. And the sooner I got through this, the sooner I could return to him and take to the sky.

I squared my shoulders and dismounted my horse. Fennextended his arm to me, and I had to suppress the urge to slap it away. His smirk told me he knew what I was thinking.

“Fix your face,” I muttered. “Keep looking at me like that and people will think you have ill intentions.”

He leaned in close, his whisper tickling my ear. “And what if I did?”

A completely new kind of shiver rippled over me, and I swallowed hard.

He chuckled, the sound low in his throat. “I told you, Aurelia. I have a reputation. Even here in the Autumn Court, people know of me and my exploits.”

“I didn’t,” I challenged. “And my court is next-door.”

He rolled his eyes. “Didn’t we already discuss this? You’ve isolated yourself. But perhaps our efforts today can remedy that.”

I bristled at the implication that I was a problem to be fixed, but I bit my tongue as we stepped through the doors of the modiste. A bell chimed, and a woman with brown skin and thick locks of black hair turned from the mannequin she was gathering fabric around. Her brows puckered together as she looked us both over.

“Ah, darling, you were right,” Fenn said, his voice loud and confident as he casually draped his arm around me. “This place is lovely. Purchase whatever dresses you require. You know our coffers are good for it.”

I raised my eyebrow at him. The only reason that statement wasn’t a lie was because he knew I only required one dress. He flashed me a sly grin in response.

“Don’t neglect your own appearance, dearest,” I said in my most cheerful, simpering voice. “We wouldn’t want to announce ourselves at court looking like peasants.”

He snorted and disguised it with a clearing of his throat.

The seamstress uttered a short gasp and stepped around her mannequin to approach us. She was plump, and only came to my chest, but her steely eyes and strong chin revealed her shrewd, determined nature. “Bless my soul, is that Princess Aurelia? I haven’t seen you in ages, my dear!” She swept into a curtsy and straightened, her eyes gleaming. “Look how lovely you are!”

I smiled warmly at her. “Thank you, Mera. It has indeed been along time. This is Prince Fennick of the Midnight Court.” I gestured to Fenn, who bowed deeply.

“A pleasure, my lady.”

Mera blushed. “Oh my. I’ve heard things about you, Your Highness. What brings you to the Autumn Court?”

“Our engagement, of course.” Fenn flashed a dazzling smile.

Mera’s mouth fell open. “Engagement? To whom?”

I forced a smile on my face and took Fenn’s hand, lacing his fingers in mine.

Mera’s eyes grew wide. “To—To Princess Aurelia?” She pressed a hand to her chest. “I—Well…” She took a deep breath, clearly at a loss for words.

This was not the reaction I was expecting. At any rate, I needed to keep the conversation going before things got out of hand. I gestured to a violet dress in the corner. “What about that one, Fenn?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure it’s your color, dearest. I think a nice maroon or umber would suit you nicely.”

I stared at him. His eyes twinkled with amusement. “Perhaps you’re right,” I said slowly, then turned to Mera. “Do you have anything available in those colors? I understand you have a business to run, and we can pay you handsomely for the rush order.”

Mera smoothed her hands on her skirts, composing herself. “I—Yes, my lady. Of course. Let me see what I can find.” She turned, then glanced over her shoulder at us in clear bewilderment before disappearing behind a curtain.

I couldn’t help myself. I snorted loudly into my hand, my face on fire. “Gods, that was a disaster.”

“Get used to it.” Fenn leaned casually against a wooden beam that supported the ceiling. “People said for years I would never marry. And… they seem to know you well here. It will be harder to pull this off if people have a reason to doubt our relationship. Anyone who knows you would laugh at the idea of us marrying.”

I nodded absently. “Yes. They would.”

I felt Fenn’s probing gaze on me, but he didn’t ask, and I didn’t volunteer the information. It was hard enough returning to this court after everything that had happened. I wouldn’t dredge up those memories just to sate his curiosity.

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