Page 39 of A Court Bright and Broken

My heart leapt at the foolish notion that she might attend the ball tonight. She did have an invitation.

I could picture her in a beautiful ball gown with her shining hair in curls, her velvety brown eyes sparkling in the light of a thousand candles in the ballroom.

Based on her attire at the market, she wouldn’t be able to afford an elaborate ball gown, but even if she came to the party wearing a country day dress, she’d be the most beautiful woman there.

Why hadn’t she accepted the reward money? Why would she not even accept a meal when her stomach was growling so loudly?

I’d been thinking more and more since we’d parted about why she’d been so frightfully thin, her dress hanging from her frame instead of filling it out as Mareth did hers.

It was fashionable in our Court for women to have curvy, full figures. Was it not the same for the humans? Or was Raewyn’s extremely lean frame not a matter of choice, but of undernourishment?

I wished I could ask her these questions tonight and so many more.

She won’t be there, idiot. If she did come, you couldn’t dance with her. Stop daydreaming.

Despite my internal rebuke, that tiny spark of hope was the only thing cutting through the thick fog of dread that surrounded the Assemblage for me.

Pharis and Mareth both seemed to be looking forward to it. I had too, ten years ago when the last one had occurred.

I’d been fourteen, and it had all seemed so exciting, Elves from the various clans converging here at Seaspire. Back then there had been other Fae as well, even the kind we rarely saw, like the Nymphs who typically stayed close to their islands, and the reclusive Dryads who were loath to leave their precious enchanted forests.

The tournaments, the fireworks, the nightly feasts and entertainment… it had all seemed like endless fun to a teenage boy.

But now the Assemblage and the welcome ball that would occur tonight only symbolized the loss of my freedom—what little I had.

An hour before the ball, Pharis came to my chambers dressed all in black… and with an enormous black leopard at his side.

“Gods, you borrowed Mareth’s glamour, didn’t you?” I asked. “I hope you’re not planning to bring that thing to the ball. You’ll terrify the guests.”

My brother gave me a feline grin worthy of his intimidating companion.

“Thisthing, according to our sister, is named Melanthios.”

Pharis stroked the top of the large cat’s head. It actually purred.

“And yes, Iamplanning to bring it to the ball. People are a little more fun when they’re terrified. You get to see who theyreallyare inside.”

He shrugged. “Besides, it matches my outfit.”

“Actually, I have a more important use for your glamour tonight,” I said. “If you’re agreeable.”

“Ah, the Crown Prince needs help from the humble spare? Do tell,” he said.

“I was hoping you could borrow the matchmaker’s glamour for a little while. YouknowFather’s leaned on her already. I guarantee she’ll survey all the candidates attending the ball andjust happento point out the daughter of one of his political allies. I’ll end up spending eternity with a woman I don’t even like, much less love.”

“So it’s true love we’re after, eh? And you wantmeto play matchmaker? Interesting,” Pharis drawled as if thinking of all the possibilities.

“If you’re willing,” I said, then clarified, “And don’t even think of suggesting Lady Silvyn.”

He gave a wicked laugh. “What’s the matter, brother? Not a fan of halitosis and non-stop chatter?”

“I’m serious, Pharis. I need your help to make a good choice,” I said. “Not for the whole night, of course. I thought perhaps you could stand near the ballroom door at the beginning and observe the ladies as they’re coming in. If I’ve only got one shot at this, I might as well do it right.”

All Elven people, including the royal family, could take only one bondmate for a lifetime. And since those lifetimes were eternal–unless violence ended our immortality prematurely—it was even more than usually desirable to make a wise choice of partner.

“And what will you give me in return?” Pharis asked. My brother was fond of trades.

“After the opening promenade, I’ll give you my Exalting glamour to use however you see fit for the rest of the evening.”

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