Page 70 of Tower of Tempest
With that, she scuttled away, her words like a festering wound, splitting open and reminding me of all the ways I wasn’t prepared for this, wasn’t worthy. Not like her.
“Oh, this is Lady Gregoria,” the queen whispered as a tall wiry woman with slicked-back white hair approached, her wings a light blue. She tugged at the high collar of her dress as she bowed stiffly. “She’s had six husbands, all of them dying under mysterious circumstances, leaving her a very rich woman.”
I stared in fascination as Lady Gregoria said her well wishes and trotted away.
“Where do all these people live?” I asked, thinking of the city, stuffed with businesses and libraries and fountains. Yet I hadn’t seen a single home in Winded.
The queen looked at me curiously as the attendant announced yet another person, this time a man who looked to be wearing a toupee.
My face flushed as I realized that must’ve been a stupid question. “I don’t know much about the sky court having been trapped in a tower my entire life,” I said sheepishly.
“Our family, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the like, have the option to live with us in the castle. Most do, though some marry those from other courts and choose to move away or live outside the castle because it better suits their lifestyle.”
“Are you two going to greet Lord Faraly?” the king asked, leaning over and eyeing us.
We both turned and nodded to the lord, whose lip curled in my direction as he walked away.
“Don’t mind him,” my mother said. “I’ve never once seen the man smile in all the years I’ve known him.” She raised her chin.
Or maybe he knew how ill fitted I was for this role.
“Anyway, the noble class, those that were born into wealth and power, live nearest to the city, their houses built into the isle of Winded. Merchants, artists, healers live in Feathered, and the lower classes like tradesmen, sailors, fisherman, farmers, well, they live in Winged.”
I’d never known that was how the society was structured.
“Are all the courts like that?” I asked.
A woman and her daughter came before us, both of them wearing fuchsia gowns so bright the color burned my eyes.
The queen tipped her head at them, speaking out the side of her mouth. “In general, the wealthy, more powerful live nearest to the castle, and the poorest live farther out. But every court is slightly different, depending on the ruler’s preferences and how the court is structured. Apolis is by far the smallest of the courts, so everyone lives close together, whereas Elwen is one of the biggest courts, and their king refused to let anyone live in his castle besides himself, a few trusted servants, his wife, and his daughter. Of course he’s gone now, and his daughter might do things very differently.”
The queen nodded to a younger man who gave me a genuine smile, a twinkle in his blue eyes. Black spots dotted his white wings, and he bowed deeply before moving way.
“Many a suitor are going to be clamoring to dance with you tonight,” the queen noted. “I’ve seen more than one man eyeing you. And why wouldn’t they? You’re beautiful.”
But I couldn’t focus on her words, couldn’t shake the feeling that I was not deserving of this role and everyone in this room knew it. As everyone continued to file past us, the pit full of doubts grew deeper until it was so big it threatened to swallow me whole.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
POPPY
The musicians stood on an extended wooden perch that jutted from the second floor out over the crowd, and they struck up a new tune as the last of the receiving line walked away. The crowd slowly turned their gazes away from me, a few still staring, but at least most of the attention had strayed. The tightness in my chest loosened as I glanced around the room, finally having a moment to actually take it in.
The last time I’d stood here, it had been cloaked in shadows and doom. My gaze trailed up to the second floor, to the alcoves, which now glowed brightly, candles lining the viewing benches. Garlands of bright blue and purple flowers hung from the arches. Servants flew through the air, carrying trays filled with drinks and food. And the view. It never ceased to amaze me. With the wide windows lining the room, it felt like we stood in the sky itself, the starry night surrounding us. No grand decorations were needed, not when we danced among the stars.
The queen nudged the king, tipping her head toward me, and he cleared his throat. “Arabella, may I have this dance?”
My eyes widened as I realized he was asking me. “Yes,” I stammered. “Of course, my king.”
His throat bobbed as he offered out his hand, and we walked down the stairs, his silver tunic and pants matching, making his thinning hair seem even whiter than usual. Then he was leading me into the throngs, whirling me around as he clasped my other hand and led me to the tune of the music.
I’d never danced before. Well, that wasn’t quite true. One night, Gran had given me an impromptu dance lesson, but I’d stumbled and tripped so much, finally causing both our feet to tangle together as we fell to the ground that she’d never tried again. My heart squeezed as I remembered the way we’d laughed so hard after falling, Gran declaring that she’d never seen a worse dancer in her life.
I’d watched many dances, read about them in books, but the real thing was much harder.
My feet tangled together, and I stumbled, face flushing. “I’m sorry,” I muttered.
The king didn’t smile, but his tone was teasing. “Are you kidding? This is a breath of fresh air compared to dancing with the queen.”
