Page 43 of Ruled By Magic

Red and gold covered every available surface, branches and berries both fake and real. The events we attended grew livelier. More drinking, less social maneuvering. Harvest encouraged everyone to feast, make the most of abundance before the cold winter set in.

Today marked the end of the season, the Harvest Parade. The biggest event in the Dexian calendar, and I was going to attend on Leo’s arm. He’d ordered me to keep it secret, as the priesthood would kick up a fuss. My stomach churned at the thought of it. The huge crowd, the cameras, the public exposure. He wouldn’t tell me why he wanted me there, but I suspected he aimed to needle the priests.

Leo arrived in my bedroom just as the beauticians placed the final touches to my makeup. I only used the space to store my clothes now that I slept in Leo’s room every night. The two ladies froze when he walked in. The older recovered first and stepped forward.

“Good afternoon, Lord Commander. I hope you approve of what we’ve done with Liv’s hair.”

They’d spent a long time on it, working it into a fancy updo and embedding sparkling green crystals. He examined it. “You did a great job. I always appreciate the effort you put in.”

The younger lady blushed and glanced down. I hid a smile. Leo got that reaction a lot from the female staff. No wonder he was so arrogant. The beauticians waved goodbye and left.

Leo looked me up and down. He traced his hand down my side, pulled open the tie that fastened my silky peach robe, and stripped it off me. As always, desire twisted through me at how casually he exposed my skin. The way he viewed my body as accessible to him at all times. I wore a tiny scrap of black silk that passed for underwear, and he a tailored three-piece suit. The contrast a perfect symbol of the power difference between us.

He gestured to the wardrobe. “Let’s get you dressed.”

I braced myself. The provocative clothing was bad enough at our usual events. At the parade, everyone would see my shame. Perhaps even people I knew.

He pulled out the dress and held it up for me. My breath caught in my throat. It was beautiful, a rich sea green. It had heavy silken folds to caress the upper body, and a long skirt to sweep out from the waist, right to the floor. Tiny crystal beads decorated the bodice, catching the light. I’d glitter and sparkle with every breath. Nothing about it was shameful or revealing. I loved it.

“Put it on.”

I rushed to obey, and he zipped me into it with care. In the mirror, a well-dressed lady stared back. High fashion. He smiled at me over my shoulder, and I turned to him, unable to keep the question from my lips.

“Why?”

His smile dimmed. I’d spoiled the moment, but I had to know. Why now?

“I think you’ve served your time in those outfits. If you keep behaving yourself, I’ll dress you a little more sensibly from now on.”

I drew in a sharp breath. Served my time? Had he forgiven me? Relief, sweet and glorious, poured through my veins. No more public humiliation. Proper clothing. A tiny, cornered part of my mind screamed at me. I shouldn’t be grateful. He’d been denying me a basic right, and I shouldn’t see the return of that right as an act of kindness. But I didn’t care. It felt like a step forward, toward something as yet undecided. Was there a chance he’d want to keep seeing me once my time was up?

I cringed at the desperation in my own thoughts. Did I have no pride? Was the thought of never seeing him again so terrible that I jumped like a well-trained puppy at any sign of genuine affection?

“It’s perfect,” Leo said.

His words cut through my mental self-flagellation. I refocused on him. “Thank you.” I fought for courage. “Leo, does this mean—”

“You know what to do at the parade?”

A deflection. He was expert at them, a master politician in every way.

“Stand there. Smile. Don’t fall over.”

“That about covers it.”

He brought his hand up to my shoulder, trailed it along my collarbone and down the curve of my breast as far as the dress would allow. He reached into his suit pocket.

“I’ve got something for you. A gift.” He watched me closely.

Surprise spun through me. And now, a gift? As though we were a couple. My heart picked up speed as I opened the box.

Inside lay a simple necklace. A silver chain and a single stone. It was white, cut into the shape of a perfect sphere, and it glowed with soft, internal light, like a captured firefly. I held it up, twisted it around.

“It’s amazing. What’s it made of? How does it glow?”

He relaxed. “It’s a mineral called Xanthite. Quite rare. It holds magical energy. One charge and it should shine for a month, though it fades over time.” He touched it, and the glow brightened.

“I love it. Thank you.”

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