Page 42 of Enchanted Kingdom
“Her father is a high-ranking commander,” Owen explained. “He has the ear of the king and far too much influence. He’s not a nice man, Jorah.”
That explained why the king delivered Aiyana to Keir the night before. “So they’re two peas in a pod, three if we count Aiyana in,” I groaned.
He shook his head. “I’m not asking you to not defend yourself, but I am asking you to be careful around her. Just try to ignore and avoid her.”
My eyes were stinging. “She was telling the others I couldn’t read, Owen.”
He crossed his arms, his jaw clenching. “She’s jealous. She sees Keir seek you out despite her in with the king and she despises you for it.”
I sighed. He was right, but I still felt that I did the correct thing back there.
“I do have something that might cheer you up,” Owen said. “Though there is good news and bad news wrapped up in it.”
“Oh?”
Owen winced. “Tomorrow you do not have to be in the common rooms or have an evening dinner to go to. There is a weekly meeting with the royal family and a few Savaryn families. So the Assemblages will not be attending the evening meal in the ballroom.”
“And the bad news is?” I asked.
“Aiyana’s family is going.” He stopped to give a shrug. “But with the king and the others busy the entire day, tomorrow will be a great day to plan a little trip. To Nerede.”
I closed my eyes with relief. Oh, how I wanted to just see my mother. I wanted to tell her everything that had happened these past five days. And what would she think of my evolving feelings with Prince Keiran? Would she be disappointed in me?
“Sorry,” Owen added. “I know that’s a lot of information after what happened with Aiyana.”
“It’s fine,” I said through a half-hearted smile. I walked over to my bed and laid down.
“Would you like to rest, dear?” Silvia asked, heading for the curtains. “You don’t need to begin getting ready for the evening meal for a few hours.”
I nodded. I did. I was way too tired to deal with any of this.
Owen sat on the settee. “I’m not leaving the room, given what just happened.”
I huffed another sigh. “Fine, but don’t snore.”
He smirked. “Fine.”
I closed my eyes and tried to think of tomorrow. I had an evening meal to get through, and then tomorrow I could visit home.
* * *
Purple wasthe theme for Keir’s women. My dress was as close to being black as possible while still being within the realm of purple. Since I was mourning Aiyana’s assumed stay in the Assemblage, it seemed to go with the mood.
This dress was a tighter fit than some of the others had been, but at least I had one strap across my shoulders. My hair provided double coverage, yet the dress, maybe because of the color, still seemed a bit scandalous, though I couldn’t put my finger on a reason as to why. It was sleek and satiny.
Owen sat and had tea with Silvia while I finished up using the lavatory and stealing another glance at my reflection.
“Well,” I told Silvia as I joined them, “I feel as if I look more ready for the bedroom than the ballroom, but I am ready.”
Owen, who had been sipping his tea, spit it right out, all over.
Silvia laughed, a good hearty chuckle. “Dear, if that is how you feel you look, then you look perfect.”
“Tiptoeing the line of scandalous?” I asked while Owen began cleaning up his mess with the napkin from his lap.
Her head went back. “This? This is not scandalous, my darling. You should see some of the others’ dresses.”
“Fact,” Owen agreed.
