Jeondar took my journal, placed it on the table, and walked me to the door. I planted my feet as he tried to lead me outside and glanced over my shoulder.
“He’ll be fine. Arabis and I will take good care of him, and if he wakes up or even stirs, I’ll come to fetch you.”
I nodded and left, quickly finding the way to my room. When I got there, there was only silence on the other side of the door. I knocked lightly, then walked in.
Valeriana was sitting on the bed, cross-legged, some sort of board game between her and the pixie. The girl’s green eyes flashed in my direction, then back to the pieces on the board. Her rosebud mouth was set in a pout and her green eyebrows were knit together in a frown. She was mad at me.
“Hello,” I said, trying to sound chipper.
Larina greeted me with a bow. “Hello, Lady Sunder.”
“I’m sorry I’ve been gone for so long,” I said. “I was really busy. The prince had several things for me to do.”
“It is no trouble, lady,” Larina said. “Valeriana and I had great fun today, didn’t we?”
Valeriana shrugged, looking indifferent.
“Well, Larina,” I said, “I appreciate your efforts, even if Valeriana doesn’t.”
The girl perked up at this. “Who said I don’t?”
“Oh, I just thought you looked bored.”
“I’m not bored. I’m angry.”
Good. She was talking and relating how she felt. So many kids didn’t know how to do that. I’d met my share of children who had never been encouraged to express how they felt, though I figured it was too much to expect from parents who didn’t know how to do it either.
“I understand,” I said. “You have good reason to be angry. We took you from your home, then left you in this room without explaining why.”
Valeriana picked up one of the pieces from the board and rolled it between her fingers. “It wasn’t so bad. Larina is very fun to be around.”
Larina smiled, and I did too.
“I’m glad to hear that, and I hope neither one of you will mind sharing a bit more time together. There is a ball tonight, and I have to be there.”
I thought Valeriana might get angry again, but instead, she jumped off the bed and ran into the closet.
“You need to wear this.” She came back, carrying a gown that was nearly three times her size. “Larina dressed me like a princess earlier, and we pretended to go to the ball, though she said children aren’t allowed.” She pouted. “We were talking and thought you would look beautiful in this.”
“It is absolutely gorgeous.” I gaped at the magnificent dress. “You two have excellent taste.”
“Larina is an expert at the balls,” Valeriana said. “She can arrange your hair and do the paint on your face. She also has this little bottle with something that smells like freshdew roses.”
“It does sound like Larina is quite the expert, and I am in desperate need of one. I know nothing about Fae fashion.”
Valeriana jumped up and down. “She taught me a little. I can help.”
“Then, by all means.” I spread my arms out, putting myself at their mercy.
For the next twenty minutes, Larina worked on my makeup and an intricate hairstyle that involved her fluttering around my head, pulling strands of hair this way and that until she was satisfied.
“Amazing work, Larina.” I admired the intricate layers she’d created.
“One last touch.” She applied a bit of pixie dust here and there, giving my hair more body and a little shine.
“Is she like a hair witch?” Valeriana asked.
“I guess,” I said, because I didn’t know if hair witches were real or if being called one might offend Larina.