Page 15 of Frost Bound

Dahlia sighed and glanced at the full-length mirror, her lips turning downward.

She hardly recognized herself. She looked like a highborn lady—nothing like the traveling bard who couldn’t afford even a burnt loaf of bread. Her only solace was the books she found in the bottom drawer of a side table. It had been a long time since she’d been able to read. The monarchy had banned most books as dangerous to the morals of their kingdom.

Dahlia glared at her reflection. What rubbish. She saw it for what it was. Control, not safety.

Turning away from the looking glass, she moved toward the adjoining rooms of the suite, following the soft murmurs. More than met the eye when it came to the queen’s task. Lia could have easily gone with the retinue as a servant, so why all the fanfare? They were trussing her up like a sacrifice.

It made her uneasy.

She paused in the doorway and observed as servants carried in garment after garment, Basil cooing and clucking over each one. Some made the cut and were placed in decorative wooden trunks, the others sent away. Lia’s eyes rounded as Basil opened a silk bag and pulled out a strand of autumn sapphires. They only ever had been found in Northwestern Astera, the part the Loriians had seized hundreds of years ago. How did the monarchy get their hands on those?

He hummed, dropped them back into the bag, and tossed the strand into the nearest trunk. She gaped, staring at Basil inshock. How could he be so careless with something so valuable? And why were they going into her trunk? The sapphires were not for the likes of her, acting highborn lady or no.

“Basil,” Dahlia said sharply, pushing into the room. The steward glanced away from a particularly stunning green velvet skirt. He smiled, but it never reached his eyes as he tracked her approach.

“Yes, my lady?”

She glared at him. “That is not my station, and allowing you to call me that is against the law.” One she could be flogged and imprisoned for.

“Your case is different. You need to get used to it.”

“Why?” she pressed, hands on her hips. “What is going on?”

“You will be told when it is necessary.”

The sleepless nights, the terror and worry for Cosmos, and all the secrecy pushed Dahlia over the edge. “No, you will tell me now! I won’t stay in the dark any longer.”

The maids froze, and Basil blinked slowly. He waved his hand, gold rings flashing, and the serving women filed out of the room, the last one closing the door with a soft click. Silence stretched between them. Her chest rose as she tried to take calming breaths.

Basil stared at the closed door for a long moment before meeting her gaze, all traces of the faux amiableness gone. “You need to get a hold of yourself. Your outbursts could get us both killed.”

Lia glared at the steward. “One outburst.One. I’ve been very affable despite no new information on my brother, all the fittings, the classes, and the beauty treatments that hurt more than help. I’ve kept my temper under control. I’ve kept my head down, but that…” She pointed at the silk bag haphazardly cradled on a crinoline dress. “…makes no sense, and screamsdanger. I’ve never heard of any highborn owning autumn sapphires.”

“That’s because you’ve spent time with the wrong people.”

She gritted her teeth and forced out, “I’m not ignorant, as I have proved so far. Sapphires like those haven’t been traded to this kingdom in five hundred years. Only royalty would have access to something that valuable or that old. Why would the queen send those with me?”

“You assume they are for you.”

She paused, eyes still focused on the bag. If they weren’t for her, and she was meeting an envoy… “A trade gift?”

“It’s not my place.”

“Make it your place,” she growled, exasperation coloring her tone.

Basil studied her. “I suppose you have demonstrated yourself to be an intelligent young woman, except for that recent outburst.”

“Thank you, I think.”

“I will tell you this much.” He crossed his arms, the lace at his sleeves fluttering. “You need to play your part perfectly or you and your brother will be executed.”

That wasn’t anything new, but hearing it out loud was enough to make her feel a little faint. “The sapphires, Basil. Explain them to me.”

“They were a … gift for you,” he drawled.

“From the monarchy?” She didn’t believe it. The gems were a statement.

“From the Loriians.”

---