Page 43 of Enchanted Kingdom
I gave him a look.
“Didn’t you see that one Savaryn woman last night in her yellow gown? It was pretty plain but with a whole lot going on up top, if you know what I mean,” he explained.
I tipped my head back to the ceiling. “So when you aren’t snoring, you are gawking at the women in the Assemblages. Perfect.”
He stood and gave me a grin. “Still better than Wallace.”
I sighed. “I cannot disagree.”
He straightened his jacket and gave me a shrug. “Shall we, great seductress?”
Seductress?I rolled my eyes. “We shall. One meal and then a break tomorrow.”
Upon entering the room, I almost wanted to laugh. I first noted that Prince Krewan’s women were in maroon, a beautiful maroon that I was sure was going to look amazing on Renna.
But probably more than half of the purples were a lighter purple and sparkling. It was as if Prince Keiran’s women were a chandelier themselves. I wasn’t sure I could walk across the room without seizing.
Internally, I wanted to squeal and also simultaneously vomit. I had worn a lighter color when we were to wear yellow, and I had also worn sparkling gowns twice. Apparently, my fashion was the one to mimic. Which could only mean that the others saw me as a threat. Or the others’ attendants saw me as a threat. A far weirder thought.
A small part of me felt happy that Prince Keiran’s affection toward me had been picked up by others, but a very large part of me felt dread.
“You look great,” Gwen said with a smile. She was one of the few not sparkling.
“You do as well. How are you?” I asked.
She shrugged. “As good as can be expected. Getting sick of this same stuff every evening.”
I felt that down to my cramped toes. “I can agree with that.”
Other women began whispering, and I turned to notice Aiyana was entering the room. And not only was she entering the room, but she was also entering the room on Prince Keiran’s arm.
I was revolted. She had attacked me today. If I didn’t have this supposed Iron Will, she very well might have hurt me. Yet he choseherto walk in with?
“Sorry,” Gwen whispered as I spun back to look at her, wanting to keep my back to the prince and Aiyana. “Maybe he has a good reason for it? Or maybe the king made him?”
There was no reason good enough. She had insulted me. I had merely stood up for myself, and not only was she not in trouble, she was brought in on his arm. How did he not see the unspoken message he was sending right now?
I sighed. “I need a drink.”
I didn’t see Rinaldi right away, and for once, I didn’t care. I picked up a glass of champagne and headed to find Renna.
“Hey, you,” she greeted. “Doing okay?”
I shrugged. No, I was not okay. I was not okay at all. I wanted to scream or cry. Possibly both.
She reached out and snagged my hand, squeezing hard. “I would hug you right now, but it will only bring to everyone’s attention that you are upset.”
I gave her a fake smile. “Thank you for saying that. And thank you for standing up for me today. I never even got a chance to thank you.”
She waved off my thanks. “That girl is bad news though, Jorah.”
Molly found us then, heading right for me and hugging me hard, regardless of how it looked, evidently. “Today was so scary,” she whispered in my ear. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
I hugged her back. “Thanks.”
Molly sniffed and pulled back. “Besides, nothing can happen to you until we learn how to best you in cards.”
Finding my eyes wet, I sniffled. “And once that has happened?”
