Page 81 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

“Are the dressmakers in your court not very skilled then?” she asked.

I swallowed hard. “My court was cursed by Heliconia.” Iground the words out, knowing I’d have to say them soon enough to the king and anyone else I met after tonight. “They are bound in perpetual sleep.”

Vanya looked stricken. “They never wake?”

“Not in seven years.”

“And you escaped the curse?”

Her question was tentative, clearly not meant to offend. But it twisted the knife in my chest all the same. “The Aine helped,” I said—because it wasn’t a lie exactly.

Her forehead crinkled. “You still have Aine in your kingdom?”

“We did.” My throat closed, and I changed the subject before the memory of Sonoma and the others cost me my control. “I came here to honor my original alliance with Autumn so they might help me free the Summer fae.”

“Summer. But…” Her eyes widened. “It’s a miracle from the Fates. Everyone thinks you’re—” She stopped herself.

“Dead?” I finished for her. She winced in silent apology, but I offered her a smile. “Heliconia can’t get rid of me that easily.”

Vanya’s expression softened. “You are brave to come here.”

I looked away, unable to handle her pity. “You’ve been really helpful,” I said, once again facing the mirror.

She took the hint and let it drop.

I watched while Vanya cleaned up the supplies she’d used on my dress, tucking everything into the armoire where my only other gown now hung. I went back to smoothing my skirt, studying my reflection as I braced myself for tonight’s dinner.

A moment later, a soft knock echoed through my room, pulling me from my thoughts. Vanya answered it, and I turned just as Callan stepped inside.

The warmth in his gaze flickered with something unreadable as he studied me inthe pale blue gown.

“You look beautiful.”

I blinked at the compliment, the unexpected sincerity throwing me off guard. “Thank you,” I murmured, glancing away to hide the slight flush that crept up my cheeks.

I was out of practice, that was all. When was the last time I’d been complimented? Or admired?

Callan stepped forward, offering his arm. “Come. My father is eager to meet you.”

I hesitated before sliding my hand into the crook of his arm. There was a tension simmering just beneath his skin, but I couldn’t tell if it was nerves or something else entirely.

“Are you nervous?” I asked as he led me from the room.

Callan chuckled softly, though the sound lacked its usual humor. “I’d be crazy not to be.”

I looked up at him, searching his face. His eyes were darker tonight, the usual spark of amusement dulled by something more serious. “Do you think he’ll be upset about our arrangement?”

He flashed a smile. “You just let me do the talking. Everything will work out.”

Just like in the entryway, the walls around us were adorned with tapestries that depicted the Autumn fae’s long rule through images of battles and thrones. Even in the beautifully sewn fabrics, the images portrayed a brutality I’d never witnessed in Summer’s history. Some scenes offered glimpses into various magic-wielders, but most told a story of bloodied battlefields and sharpened swords. Not a single tapestry contained a female ruler—royalty or military.

“Any advice besides being seen and not heard?” I asked as we neared a set of double doors at the end of the hall.

Callan chuckled, completely ignoring my sarcasm. “Stop worrying. You’re more than enough to impress my father.”

“Let’s hope that’s true since I don’t have muchelse to offer,” I shot back.

A tight smile tugged at his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

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