Page 105 of I Summon the Sea

Turns out, I was wrong.

“The ball,” Daria is saying, “starts at midday, with the ceremonies for the Pillar and the Reversal, the drak air show and the guest parade.”

Hells.When I said the fae like their shows, I never thought I’d see such extensive proof of that in only three days.

“So we’re going to draw you a bath,” she continues, all business, “then do your hair and help you dress. Do you have an escort? Has he given you a token of his to wear?”

A token? I stare at her. What kind of token?

“Never mind.” She sighs. “What was I thinking? Who would take you to the ball?” She coughs behind her hand. “Apologies, my lady, but tongues are wagging, saying you’re siding with the fae and that you’ve been marked with a curse.”

Of course they are saying that. And who would honestly expect the survivors of the first trial to find the energy to court one another and offer gifts? Where would we even find them? When would we have found the time to make such a connection with one another?

“You would like me to pick you up from your room, give you a gift to bear on your shoulder and dance with me.”

I shiver.

Two manservants enter, hauling buckets of hot water to pour into the bronze tub. The warmth steams the window. I suppose it’s cold outside. Maybe it’s even cold inside this room.

But I’m made of cold. I don’t notice it. The only thing chilling me is the fae king’s gaze and the fear of failure.

“Come, my lady.” Daria drags me to the tub and starts unlacing my gray dress. “Did you sleep in this? It’s so wrinkled we may never get the creases out again. And look at your hands! Is that dirt or blood? Did you get your monthlies?”

I shake my head but let her unlace me, fuss over me, and finally help me into the tub. The heat of the water reminds me of Jai.

How sick is that?

Insane.

Some young maids come and go, bringing undergarments, cosmetics, jewels, fresh flowers—for my hair? For the room? I can only guess.

Daria looks happy ordering them about. I hadn’t realized she’s not a simple maid but holds a rank above the others until now.

Again, why did I get the maid in charge and not a simple servant girl to help me dress every day?

Adding to the questions isn’t helping. My head already hurts.

Daria dries me, and asks me where I got the bruises on my wrist, but obviously doesn’t expect an answer because she only waves the other maids forward to help me dress.

I think of Jai last night.“I want… I want to have you in my arms tonight.”

Did he mean that? Did I read the emotions I saw in his eyes correctly? What experience do I have with men? I’m as cluelessas these young maids flitting about. I only have my feelings for Mars, my golden Jackal, to compare this with, but I was just a girl back then, and it was… a lifetime ago.

Truly.

Daria pulls my hair back, twisting it into something complicated I can’t bother thinking about, using strings of pearls and ribbons.

“The gown,” she says, and the maids carry the heavy white-and-gray gown over, giggling and panting.

In my white undergarments, I step into the unlaced bodice, the skirt spread like a lake around me. Daria pulls it up and goes around to lace the back.

In the mirror stands a princess in an elegant gown that hugs her bust and hips, then flares just slightly in streams of white and gray silk. It glows faintly. The gray matches her eyes, the white her hair, and she looks… real.

Why does this gown look so damn familiar? Why does my chest feel so tight?

I’ve seen you before, I think.I’ve met you. What happened to you?

What happens to every woman who lets her guard down: I fell like a star across the sky.

---