Page 76 of A Legacy of Storms and Starlight

“No hood and no eyeglasses. My eye colour is as natural as I’m willing to go.” She turned back to the mirror, running a hand across the gold ribbons Saphi had added amongst the curls of brown. Her own violet eyes looked back at her, and she’d opted for no jewellery.

The dress and the ribbons were enough, and she had no doubt she’d be wearing a flower crown by the time the night was through.

Saphi picked up a book from the bed and waved it at Zylah. “Lanaros. Doing some homework?” She leafed through the pages. “This is about Holt’s line.”

Zylah frowned. “It is? I had no idea. It says nothing of him or his sister.”

Saphi flicked to the back. “Lanaros is his kingdom. This was made after his parents’ coronation.”

“They were mates, Holt said.”

“They were.” Saphi handed back the book.

“Does Holt… did he…”

“Does he have someone?”

Zylah nodded. It was none of her business, but the words had slipped out.

“Holt was in love once before I met him. All I know is that she wanted children and he didn’t, and she left him and met someone else.” Saphi swiped at an invisible crumb on the bed linen.

“That must have been difficult for him.”

The Fae looked over her shoulder, a sad smile on her lips. “Yes.”

Rose stepped into the bedroom, fiddling with a gold bracelet at her wrist. “We’re going to be late.” Even though her face was scrunched in concentration, she looked stunning. Her blade leg was a shade darker than the red dress that fell just below her knees, and Zylah wondered if Saphi had insisted on the change.

Saphi was beside her in two strides, easing Rose’s fingers away to fasten the bracelet for her. “We’ll be there at precisely the right time.” She tucked a wayward curl behind Rose’s ear, adjusting the strap at her shoulder. She’d styled Rose’s hair in a braided crown, ruby ribbons streaked through it, and fine curls cascading around her face. Their matching gold jewellery shimmered in the orblights, and Zylah could have sworn she saw a flicker of unease cross Rose’s face for a moment before she looked up to meet Saphi’s gaze with a smile.

Zylah cleared her throat. “Your gifts.” She picked up two small bundles of fabric from the bed, blue ribbon binding both of them, and handed one to each of the Fae.

Rose opened hers first and, with a pinched brow, inspected the four balls she held. “Well, thank you, Liss.”

“They’re for the bath. You put them in warm water and petals come out.” Zylah blushed as she explained it. She’d seen the bottles lining the wall of the bath next door, and when she’d asked Saphi about them, the Fae had told her it was Rose’s favourite way to unwind.

Rose’s face brightened. “Oh. Thank you.” She sniffed at the spheres—each one was a different combination of fragrances and dried flowers, and Zylah had spent weeks collecting the ingredients.

Saphi had already opened her gift and was dabbing some of it on her wrists, a broad grin across her face as she made an excited squeal. “You made these, didn’t you?” The vanilla and cinnamon perfume filled the space between them.

Zylah felt her blush grow. “I did. You always wear the vanilla, I thought you might like a small variation now and then.”

“It’s perfect. They’re wonderful gifts, aren’t they, Rose?”

Rose wrapped her gift back up in the fabric with a frown, fastening the ribbon around it carefully. “Yes. Thank you.”

“You’re already wearing ours.” Saphi spun Zylah around to face the mirror again.

The Fae pointed at their reflection with a grin. “The dress is from me, and the shoes are from Rose. Yours. To keep.” She put up a hand to stop Zylah from saying anything. “Now, let’s go, before Rose shoves us out the door.”

Zylah just had a moment to scoop up the golden stringed pouch to match her dress before Saphi ushered her out of the bedroom.

Raif was waiting for them in the reception area, his stare intense as Zylah stepped off the staircase ahead of Rose and Saphi. He wore a black suit, and Zylah smiled as she noticed the pale gold peeking out from beneath his jacket. He’d worn a shirt to match her dress, and she’d no doubt it was Saphi’s gift to him.

Zylah watched the way Raif took her in, his hand finding hers and spinning her around.

“This dress,” he said, bringing her hand up to his chest. “Is a new favourite.” He pressed a kiss to her knuckles, wrapping an arm around her as they stepped out into the night. Despite the warm air, Zylah’s nerves from earlier sent a chill dancing along her bare arms and she leaned into Raif’s warmth.

Kopi darted down to her shoulder, rustling his feathers for a moment before flying off ahead of them. Saphi launched into an explanation of how good the gardens looked; Jilah hadn’t allowed Zylah to leave the dome to see it ahead of the party, but Saphi had been part of the team to set everything up, and now she could barely contain her elation as she told them where the best spots were going to be. But Zylah wasn’t really listening. Instead, she tried to commit the moment to memory, walking across the river in the warm night air, surrounded by friends. She knew it was the last time she’d feel part of something for a long while, and that after she left Virian, the days ahead would be lonely. But they would all still be in Virian when she returned. She knew that.

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