“Yes, princess.” The woman began stabbing the little pearls randomly throughout my hair, sometimes poking my scalp.
“Ah, I knew it. Lovely against your dark hair,” Maris murmured. “Don’t you think?”
I nodded.
“Come, Luna. You did not even look at the mirror.”
Discomfort at being put on the spot made my skin itch. I deflected the question with one of my own, airily waving my hand. “Why are we going to such trouble with my appearance?”
“We dress for dinner.”
“I’m to dine with you?”
“Yes, Papa insists. Er, or maybe it was Chasan.” She shrugged beside me, the motion sending a waft of floral scent circling the air. I knew about fragrances. Perla had told me she used to be a skilled perfumer. She’d made signature scents for my mother and every lady at court. No use for such extravagances these days. The last thing we want is some sweet fragrance leading dwellers to our door.
Sound logic, but nothing that seemed to affect them locked away safely inside this mountain castle. It was as though they lived here untouched by the eclipse.
Maris stood. “You look ready. Come along. We can go in together. I hope you did not ruin your appetite with all those iced biscuits. Although Cook will be glad to hear that you approve of them.”
“I can still eat,” I assured her, rising to my feet, smoothing sweating palms over my skirts. I’d worn dresses plenty of times in the tower, but it felt odd to be in skirts again—as though years had passed since the last time and not a mere month.
Princess Maris looped her arm through mine. “You look lovely. You shall have to beat the swains off with a stick.”
I smiled, but it felt more like a grimace as I marveled at what a strange world I had entered. I didn’t want the attention of a bevy of swains, but maybe it would offer some distraction during my brief time here—because I wouldn’t be staying.
Dinner was no small affair. I heard the din long before we entered the cavernous hall. My steps slowed. “How many people are eating with us?”
“It’s full court this evening,” Maris replied, urging me to resume walking. “Papa is in a celebratory mood.” I could only infer that this was because of Fowler. “Several nobles and their families reside here in the palace. They’ve been here as long as I can remember, keeping safe in the city rather than venturing out to whatever is left of their estates. When Papa feels like it, he invites them all to sup with us in the great hall. The company provides a diversion.”
Ainswind was an alien world buried within the darkness I knew. As we strolled down the wide corridor, my slippers whispering over a lush runner, the warmth from lit sconces bathed my face, drenching me in light. This place hummed and glowed with no fear of monsters.
None of this is real. None of this is real.
The words rushed through me, a reminder that I should not be lulled into safety. No place was wholly safe. Even this fortified castle.
I couldn’t stay. I had my mission. I wouldn’t forget it. I couldn’t. Every day I remained here, every moment that passed, more girls died. Cullan needed to be stopped. The first chance I got, I would put this place far behind me. Once I assured myself that all was being done for Fowler that could be, I would leave this bewildering place. If they tried to stop me, then I would find a way out on my own. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d executed an escape.
The voices grew louder as we approached, and I had to fight every instinct to not turn and flee. I felt more vulnerable than usual in this strange new place. Sounds, smells, people . . . it was long ingrained in me to avoid those things that attracted dwellers.
The Outside, for as much as it carried death in its fold, felt more like home to me. Here I was exposed, no weakness concealed. I flattened a hand over my racing heart, where so much skin lay bared. After pretending to be a boy, the exposed skin felt odd, too.
“Now, I can’t sit with you . . . as much as I would like to.” She patted my hand as we entered the bustling hall. The space was large, the air churning around me and lifting high into vaulted ceilings. “There is a seating protocol, but I shall place you beside someone charming. Trust me.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind.”
“That’s me,” she trilled. “Oh la! Look at all the eyes on you. I told you that you looked fetching. We don’t get too many new faces. I can count on both hands the number of guests we’ve had over the years. You shall be all the rage.”
“I’m sure I won’t,” I murmured—or rather, I hoped.