I give a gold to each woman and accompany them out before locking myself in again.
Curiosity wins over my desire to return to my bath, so I open my delivery.
My jaw drops when I unwrap package after package. I trust Johel to manage simple, practical clothing, as I've worn her work most of my life. I never knew she could sew complex layers, shaping skirts like a floral blossom, or a mermaid's tail, or stitch golden thorns and roses, moon crescents and delicate birds along hems.
At least I’ll go to the pillory in style.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
FOOL’S DAY
I'm not myself on Lughnasadh. The high level of magik in the air, along with the weakness my line has for all form of excess, means that I'm likely to be drunk on nothing until morning.
Tonight is the one night I'm nothing more than what my blood makes me: a shade, feeding on the most sinful of indulgences.
And I've already chosen my prey.
Helyn's conspicuous absence in the alchemy lab that started yesterday afternoon amuses and irritates me.
Like any predator, it entertains me to see my little mouse attempt to run, but I expected to see her, taunt her today. Without her furtive glances, her straight spine, and the way she jumps every time she hears my name, the lab is utterly dull.
I chose alchemy because I understand most aspects of magiks, and needed to expand my knowledge in one of the few branches that remained obscure to me, but after seven weeks, I can summarize this practice in one single word: tedious.
Watching Helyn squirm is my only source of entertainment, especially on days like today.
I should have known she'd miss this class. She's supposed to be at my court tonight; she's likely already on her way. Unless she dared defy me. I grin, savoring both prospects. I’d rather have her tonight, during a festival when I, and the rest of my court, let the monsters out, but either way, she'll be at my mercy.
I finish enchanting the stone—to remain warm for a year—hours ahead of the other students, and in the back of my mind, I wonder how long it would have taken Helyn to get the job done. Would she have beaten me again?
Heffur invites me to leave early, and I make my way down the tower of magiks, eager to get going.
My stomach grumbles when I pass the dining hall, and I hesitate. There will be plenty to consume at court, but it is Lughnasadh. I'm starving, and in more way than one.
Spotting a familiar figure by one of the fireplaces, I decide to play a game before the festivities. "Frejr.”
The slender brunette my oldest friend decided to claim long ago directs her large green eyes at me, mouth parted.
Natheran Reiks was an imposition I rejected the moment it was thrust on me. The very thought of getting close to the future king of one of the mainland realms seemed ludicrous, but my regents arranged for him to spend the summer at Whyte Fort. I fully intended to ignore him. He had other ideas. We’ve been communicating ever since, albeit privately. I don’t want my enemies to be aware of my alliances.
Two years ago, he wrote me a simple, direct note completely out of character:Alis Frejr is off-limits.I didn’t need more to understand his intentions.
I can see the reasons behind Reiks's fascination with the witch, though she's hardly my type. I would never choose a partner who’s likely stronger than me. There's only enough room for one massive ego in my bed.
“Devar," she counters. “You’re in this dorm?”
I consider my answer. I have a suite reserved for me here, and in the common dorm, though I've rarely made use of either bed, for anything other than a roll with a student in the middle of the day. When in town, I prefer to use the Devar house on Royal Lane.
I could tell her as much, but there’s a reason why I have several options. I’d rather no one knows where I sleep. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I never noticed you."
If this had come from anyone else, I might have been wounded, but Alis Frejr stays away from everyone. She isn't pushed to the sidelines like Helyn—she avoids everyone, either out of fear or contempt, I can't quite decide. “I suppose not. That would have required lifting your eyes from your tiptoes occasionally.”
I can tell I've upset her, as her green eyes flash with enough magik to make a lesser man wet his pants.
Reiks is an idiot, tangling with this thing.
“Are you coming to the Lunar Club tonight?”