“Why are you bringing me garment bags?” I asked.
“For the party.” Linnea gave me a look like I was an idiot and brushed past me as she went into my room. “I know you weren’t able to pack your finer clothes with you, so I grabbed a few gowns that I thought you might like and would fit you.”
“That’s very kind of you, but I hadn’t planned on going to the party,” I said as I walked more slowly into my room.
“Don’t be ridiculous, of course you are.” Linnea kept her back to me as she carefully laid out the bags on the bed. “You’re integral to everything that’s happening here, and you need to be here to mingle and get people to trust each other.”
She unzipped each of the bags, pulling out the gowns a bit so I could see them. I’d owned some nice dresses in my life, but none as fabulous as these.
One was a rich navy-blue fabric that looked like liquid when it moved, and with a slit so high, I would be worried that my panties would show. Another was snow-white satin with diamond and lace embellishments creating an ornate illusion neckline. And the last was pale aquamarine, embroidered with flowing designs and sapphires, and a bit of tulle under the length filled out the skirt.
“And besides,” Linnea went on as I stood, transfixed by the lavishness of the gowns, “you’ve earned it. You’ve been working so hard lately. You deserve a night to let your hair down.”
I nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll go to the party.”
She clapped her hands together. “I would hug you, but I don’t want to get covered in mud. Now hurry and get ready.”
In the end, it wasn’t the logic of her arguments that won me over—although she had been right. It was simply the sight of the dresses. Something in the troll blood made it hard to deny luxury, which was why we all had such a penchant for gems and jewelry.
But also, a part of me just really wanted to wear a gown that was made for a Queen.
I showered quickly but thoroughly—there was no way I was ruining one of Linnea’s dresses. Then I hurried back to try them all on and pick one.
While I’d been showering, Linnea had sent down a masquerade mask and a pair of pale sapphire earrings. The silver mask was gorgeous and delicate, its ornate flourishes encrusted with diamonds. Attached was a note that read, “Wear me.”
The difficulty of the choice was made easier by the fact that the aquamarine one was snug in the chest, squishing my breasts in a very unflattering and uncomfortable fashion. While the darker navy dress felt like heaven on my skin, the slit felt too high, and it also had a plunging neckline, a combination that felt slightly improper for this party.
The white one fit perfectly, almost like it had been made for me. The illusion neckline allowed a hint of cleavage, and it was open in the back, showing off a bit of skin. While the length was longer than I normally liked, it was light and flowed away from me, so I didn’t think it would be a problem to run or kick in if I needed to.
Once I’d finished with my hair and makeup, I went down the hall to admire myself in the full-length mirror of the bathroom.
Since I wasn’t doing anything other than looking at my reflection, I’d left the door open, which allowed Konstantin to pause and whistle at me.
“Well done, white rabbit.” He smiled crookedly at me, but his eyes were serious as they assessed me.
Something about the way he looked at me made my skin flush a little, and I turned to face him. “Thanks.”
“It’s kind of a shame I’m missing the party tonight,” he said.
“Why aren’t you going?” I asked in surprise.
Based on the way he was dressed, I assumed he planned to attend. He had on a simple black uniform, similar to the one that Ridley had worn as Kanin ?verste, with epaulets on the shoulders, and a sword in a scabbard that hung from a belt around his waist.
While Ridley and Tilda had taken to wearing the shimmery blue uniforms of the Skojare, Konstantin had managed to dig up one that showed no allegiance. No color, no insignia, nothing to tie him to any kingdom.
“I’m walking the perimeter of Storvatten, along with some of the other guards,” Konstantin explained. “Since we don’t know when Mina and Viktor are going to strike, we’re keeping a lookout.”
“Damn.” I looked down at my gown, suddenly feeling very silly. “I should change and go with you.”
“No, no.” He shook his head. “We’ve got enough guys going out. You should go. You should be happy.”
I started to tell him that he should still come to the party if he got a chance, but he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there in my beautiful dress feeling flustered and alone.
FIFTY-ONE
dalliance