Page 107 of Queen of the Night
But the look on her face.
I smother a groan and force a wide smile. “Help would be nice.”
Within minutes, my clothing has been replaced with the petal dress as the tiny nymph uses vines in a corset fashion to tie the back while I slip a pair of velvety soft leaves fashioned into slippers onto my feet. I wiggle my toes, reveling at the softness. I may need a pair of these to take home.
The little nymph finishes tying and skips to stand before me while eyeing me carefully. She narrows her eyes, then darts forward and plucks a petal from the dress in one spot, then another.
I block her from snatching another and laugh nervously. “I need all the petals I can get.”
She ignores me and plucks one more. I’m about to snatch her in my hands to keep her from removing any others, but she finally steps back,appearing pleased.
I look down. I have to admit, the dress is stunning. The petals are a gorgeous shade of purple, wide and round, sewn together in layers that cascade down my body. A row of petals make up the straps over my shoulders, the bodice has a sweetheart neckline that I’m pleased to see doesn’t plunge too deep, and the bottom is full enough to walk normally, but not too big. With no mirror available, I can’t see the back. I can tell it’s notlow, but it’s low enough that my mark will show.
“Now for your hair.” She eyes my somewhat damp, frizzy hair, and drags the stool over to me before she plucks a flower from the nearby table. “I’d hoped to use this.” She blinks at me as she spins it slowly in her hand.
These nymphs are more dangerous than they look, getting whatever they want from me with a simple, sad look.They’re as bad as Rupi.
“As long as you leave it down.” I lift a brow in warning.
I’ve already told Ikar what I am; I don’tneedto hide it… it’s simply habit and comfort to keep it covered. I remind myself that years’ worth of instinct and fear won’t be erased in a day. If I feel ready to show him tonight, I will. But it’ll be on my terms.
She pulls me down to the stool. I acquiesce with a sigh, knowing if I don’t like the style, I can simply change it before I leave. The scent of flower petals on my skin and the gentle fluttering of her fingers with the lightest pulls and tugs in my hair has me so relaxed I nearly topple off the stool when she steps back.
“All finished.” She clasps her hands before her, appearing pleased with her work.
I reach a hand up gently to touch my long brown hair now hanging in smooth, silky waves around my shoulders, and the purple flower has been artfully tucked above my left ear. I may not be able to see it, but I can tell it’s beautiful.
“Thank you,” I say quietly.
I stand, and Rupi perches near my neck, greedily eying the thin strap of purple petals on my shoulder. “No eating the petals. I can’t afford to lose anymore.” I narrow my eyes as she shuffles nearer, side-eyeing me as if waiting for me to look away before snatching one. “I mean it. This dress has to last the entire evening,” I warn her. It’s already so fragile I worry that a strong breeze will blow away the bulk of it.
She blinks innocently at me.
“Time to go,” the little nymph says brightly, almost bouncing with impatience.
She grabs my hand, and I laugh as I let her tug me out the door.
Chapter 59
Ikar
Isit at the head of a long wood table settled in the middle of a small meadow amidst tall grass and wildflowers as if it was planted and grown here like everything else. Matching chairs line its sides, filled with at least forty people. Vera is seated to my left, Odella on my right, and Darvy and Rhosse appear comfortable farther down. Vines with tiny flowers wrap around the thick table legs and creep up and over the edges of the surface, and an artful mix of pinecones, pine boughs, and wildflowers grace the center of the table. It’s all beautiful, but it’s nothing compared to Vera. The dress she wears, one made entirely of petals, is perfection on her frame, the purple a flawless complement to gray eyes that are so open and warm I can hardly believe I’m the recipient of their attention.
I’m forced to drag my gaze from hers when wood bowls are set before us, filled with fresh, dark berries interspersed with a variety of seeds and nuts, topped with sweet tree sap and fresh mint. They’re accompanied by enormous leaves full of perfectly cooked fish, a pile of something that lookssuspiciously like some sort of insect’s eggs, and wild carrots. I notice none of the nymphs who dine with us have fish or insect eggs in their leaves—apparently they don’t eat meat. I sort of wish I don’t either at this moment.
Odella stands, and immediately the table grows quiet. “We celebrate the success of our king in finding not only the Field of Tulips and being found worthy to take one, but also in that he found a Queen of the Night herself.”
There’s a round of celebration that sounds like rushing wind and water and creaking branches as everyone’s eyes turn to the two of us. I grin broadly at Vera, who blushes at the attention, but she offers a small smile.
Odella begins the meal, and we dig in. I find that the food of the nymphs is similar to the fae, so I’m not surprised when Vera takes a bite of insect eggs without hesitation. I eat those first, forcing them down between bites of delicious fish to ease the gag. No one would know I thought the meal anything other than normal. I’ve been raised for this. I smother a smile as she takes another graceful bite. Vera was made to be queen; she just doesn’t know it yet. The fact that I have years to show her just how perfect she is brings a rush of contentment.
From my right, Odella asks, “What comes next, King?”
With practiced swallowing, another bite of insect eggs goes down. “We return to Moneyre where we will marry and bridge.” I take a sip of the orange liquid in my cup that tastes like some sort of tangy nectar.
“The gloam masters,” Odella states.
“What about them?” I ask.
