Page 13 of A Bride for the Winter King
“Why do they volunteer for this? Are they so broke that they’d prefer to be crowned queen and die rather than serve the Spring Court?” I ask.
Unlike Shadow seeds, Spring seeds come by the dozen, and not many of them wash out. My brother probably crossed paths with some of these girls during his studies. Like him, they’re meant to become carvers, archers, or groomers after they graduate. All perfectly acceptable positions.
Seth averts his gaze. “I thought you knew—the top three women in the Yule pageant get a frost apple…and only one of them has to marry the king.”
My breath catches in my throat. “Are you serious?”
“Considering Elio’s reputation, they have to make it worthwhile for the brides to show up. Immortality is about the only thing mortals would willingly die for. Wouldn’t you want it, given the chance?” He starts unbuttoning his shirt and returns to the bedroom. “I need to change, too.”
Alone in the small, pristine bathroom, the nerves hit me all at once. A frost apple… I mean—I’ve been busting my ass to become the best Shadow huntress I can be, but I won’t rise in the ranks quickly enough to claim immortality. There are four stages of training, and while the journey from seed to sprout took me ten months, twenty more years will most likely be needed for me to pass the next trials.
Becoming immortal would take a hundred more, and I haven’t got that kind of time. The irony of being a magic-born mortal isn’t lost on me. Endless possibilities, but time ticks by too quickly for us to reach our full potential. I touch the scar below the flimsy lace of my dress.With that suppurating venom, I’ve probably peaked as a rough-edged, half-competent huntress.
Before my confidence leaks out completely, I open the door and cover my eyes with my hand, rushing for the exit. “I’m ready to meet the girls.”
“Wait!” Seth grips my elbow, and I catch a glimpse of his naked thigh. “I’ll introduce you.”
“Fuck, no! Don’t single me out. It’s only going to alienate me from them.” Eyes still covered, I motion in the general direction of his crotch. “Get dressed, and be cool.”
Without giving him another second to process, I escape to the hallway and slam the door behind me.Oof.
I force myself to slow down before opening the door leading to the women’s dressing room. Twelve faces turn in my direction. A human bouquet of bombshells, with flawless make-up and colorful dresses that hug their beautiful bodies.
I force a smile on my face and inject a shitload of pep into my voice. “Hi, guys!” I give my fellow contestants a girly wave with both hands.
Major cringe!
A tall blonde wearing a long-sleeved dress made of colorful lace flowers sewn together pushes to her feet, her lips pursed in a pout. “Who are you?”
“I’m Lori.” I plant my feet in the ground, and shadow magic tickles my palms.
Dude, you need to chill. They’re Spring seeds, not nightmares. The worst thing that girl could do is scratch you with her fake nails.
Walking all the way into my bubble, the queen bee hones in on me like a shark and crosses her arms over her chest. “What’s your story? Where did you go to school?”
“Chicago.” Normally, I’d put the girl in her place. Scare her shitless. I know how to take care of bullies, but I’m not supposed to draw attention to myself. I’ve got a role to play, and Spring seeds usually don’t threaten to maim the competition.
They scheme and stab you in the back instead.
“Someone dropped out at the last minute,” I add with an affable smile. “They asked me to take her place.”
The girl glares from her four-inch high heels, the shoes making her at least a foot taller than me. “Yes. She became mysteriously ill…so thatyoucould replace her.”
The others stare at us. Most of them look ready to reach for their popcorn, but none of them breathes a word.
A gorgeous brunette marches forward with her hands on her hips. The skirt of her red dress skims the ground behind her but finishes right below her knees in the front, the asymmetrical cut memorable and quirky. “Be nice, Daisy. It’s not the girl’s fault if your sister had a mental breakdown.” She bee-lines for the floor-to-ceiling row of mirrors and powders up her nose with a flash of magic before meeting my gaze in the reflection. “Welcome, Lori. I love your earrings.”
Another blonde wearing a pink dress joins Daisy’s side. A golden pendant dangles in the valley between her breasts. “Always such a suck-up, Poppy.”
“Bite me, Aster.”
I switch my weight from one foot to the other. Twelve new faces… I’m going to need a pen and paper.
Seth enters the room with a pair of pumps hanging from his grip. “Um. Lori, you forgot your heels.”
I glance down at my bare feet.Fuck!
Many of the women adjust their appearance at his arrival, straightening their bustiers or fluffing their hair.
