Page 86 of The Nightmare Queen

I slip quickly out of his room swiping my lips with the back of my hand. The motion taking with it whatever residue of Ezra’s kiss was left.Armond’s lounging by the hearth and shame heats my cheeks. “I really don’t want to hear it.”

“Are you hurt?” He asks.

“What? No. No..I’m not.”

He nods. “You’re needed to get ready.” “Oh-kay.” I mouth and rush out of the room my heart racing all the way back to The Glass Hall.

When I walk through Rorin’s doors the room is buzzing with commotion. Ladies maids, servants, and footmen are all flurrying around. “There you are!” Millie shouts from the doorway to the bedroom. “I said two hours Eveera! Where were yo—” her eyes drop to my lips that are still burning from Ezra’s kiss.

“I am well aware of the time restraint you put on me.” The dazed look in her eye is shaken off as she drags me to the vanity. Her small hands push me down onto the velvet bench with enough force to knock me off balance. She says something to the ladies maid in the bedroom who leaves and returns with brushes, pins, and a small box. Feeling content with the spread in front of me, Millie lets her get me ready. The ladies maid doesn’t make eye contact. Her hands shaking a little bit as she makes quick work of plaiting and pinning my hair. I watch as the pieces of dark hair are wound and twisted into their spots. She tentatively reaches over my shoulder and slides a small box in front of me. The leather of it is soft under my fingertips and when I lift the lid a slim gold crown comes into view with black diamonds woven around each spire, like vines.

The girl's eyes widen as she takes in the gorgeous piece. Her nimble fingers reaching for it and with a few camouflaged pins the crown is secured in place. Millie peeks into the bedroom with that ridiculous headpiece on top of her head. The gown she has on however is a beautiful pale blue, her sharp collar bone is exposed by the off-the-shoulder sleeves that billow down her arms. The bodice to it is sheer around hermidsection and flows out into a long train. “Don’t say it. I know I look great. But you, you look half finished.”

I roll my eyes, “Iamhalf finished.”

“Right, well, if you hadn’t been off doing gods know what for more than the two hours I gave you, we wouldn’t be in such a rush.” She pushes me in front of a long mirror, barking at servants to do this and that.

The dress they have me step into is a deep plum, it’s gossamer material hugging the curves of my body perfectly. They fasten a gold choker around my neck; a snake to match the pins in my hair.

I feel a tap on my calf and find the girl staring up at me, a gold shoe in her hand. I lift my foot enough for her to secure the shoe and lace the ties up. As a finishing touch Millicent hands me my mask for the evening. “You people don’t honestly think this will disguise anyone, do you?”

Her mouth turns down into a frown, “that’s not the point. Now put it on. We’re already late.”

Eveera

The ballroom is blinding. It’s filled with masked patrons and decor ranging in various shades of dawn and gold.

The dark hue of my dress is a stark contrast to everything and everyone around me. I look like an ink blot on a fresh piece of paper.

At the center of all of it is the royal family. Mareese’s gown is various shades of orange; layers of silk draping down her thin frame, similar to petals. Eiser’s wearing an equally gaudy outfit in the colors navy and gold; the two of them stand waving and greeting their guests with tight smiles on their faces.

Meanwhile their son, Rorin, is spread out on his throne. His hair is tousled, the crown on his head the only thing taming his brown curls. The golden doublet he’s wearing is undone revealing a billowy white undershirt that has the barest little bit of his chest showing.

He is the picture of disorder and chaos next to his parents.

Their stares switch over to where I am as the crowd parts for me to approach them.“I’m not in the right color.”I whisper down the seal.

“Mm. Vellaran colors wash you out.”Rorin replies while his gaze drags down my body slowly, drinking me in.

“I don’t think it’s really your business to pay attention to what colors wash me out.”I chide.

He smirks, resting his chin in his hand. “I think it was when I was choosing the dress that’s on your body.”Of course he chose the dress.When I get to the bottom of the dais Rorin hops up from his seat, extending out his hand. Gingerly I slip mine into it and he brings my knuckles up to his lips brushing them against the soft skin there. He then tugs on my arm, bringing me side to side with him on the steps, leaning in his breath is warm against my ear, “play along.” We walk up the rest of the stairs until I am standing level with his parents. His rough hands move up to my shoulders and he gently sits me down into the seat of his throne. Mareese releases a choked sound as she watches him do it.

Rorin winks and then sinks to a knee in front of me.

“Oh bleeding gods.” Mareese snaps.

One of his hands slips underneath my skirts and wraps around my calf, his long fingers moving quickly to undo and redo the laces of my heel. “Just fixing the Queen’s shoe.” He announces, winking at me again. Damn my stomach if it didn’t drop a little. He stands back to his full height, straightening his clothes to take up a spot next to me. A possessive hand cupping my shoulder and collarbone as we notice Baelor and his daughter approaching us.

“Thought we almost had a proposal there, prince. What a shock that would have been. Pruella would have been crestfallen.” My lips thin at the disturbing image of Rorin with Pruella and I reach my hand up to lace my fingers through his. “Giving out thrones there as well, I see.” Baelor’s proclaims stepping up to shakeEiser's hand.

“A royal deserves a throne at a celebration.” Rorin quips and Baelor’s beady eyes spark.

“Well, by that notion my daughter and I would be in need of one too.” His lips curling into a devious grin.

Rorin huffs out a strained laugh, “yes well, maybe if you weren’t waging a war against us, I would. Now if you’ll excuse us, it's getting a little crowded up here.” He snaps, pulling me up, and leading us down away from the other royals. The barest amount of magic is trickling between his fingers as he reaches back for my hand.

I look up at him,“What was all of that?”

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