Page 54 of The Princess of Nothing
“I’ve never seen one before.” She admired the bone and the ash wood, then twitched her fingers, moving away. “Isn’t it used to cast spells that influence the dead?”
“No,” I replied bitterly. “Not even close to what we use it for.”
“I apologize if I offended you.” Her fearful gaze moved from the ash wood of my staff to the dress bag that hung over the back of the door. “Shall we begin preparations?”
I closed my eyes. “Yes.”
“You’re going to make the most beautiful bride.”
I nodded curtly. “I’ll take a bath first.”
“Yes, it would be best.”
I scowled for a second but smiled. Nothing she said was intentionally snarky or offensive, but her innocent honesty did come across humorous from time to time.
Gold and silver threads swept down my body. I had no real curves, so everything fell flat. I held my breath when the veil was placed on my head. My hands were trembling.
“You look beautiful.” Edna squeaked, clapping her hands together.
“Thank you.” My throat felt like it was closing over. “I need a moment. Some fresh air. It’s just wedding-day jitters.” I calmed. “Please.”
“Kiros said anything you require, to make sure you have it. It is, after all, your birthday and your wedding day.”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
“Do you need any guards or us to go with you?” She looked to her left at the maids who’d helped me put on the dress.
“No.” I pulled the veil off, then the tiara, and shoved them in Edna’s hands. “I don’t want anyone to see me yet.” I grabbed a cloak to cover my dress. I really just didn’t want to attract unwanted attention. I had to be forgettable. I forced a small smile. “I’ll be on my way then.”
As I hurried out the door, sweating under the weight of the cloak, my heels tapped against the ancient stone. Neoma, with her arms crossed, rounded the corner. She shook her head when she saw me. “Another princess without a backbone,” Neoma mocked with a snide grin. “What a treasure. Happy wedding day.”
I didn’t care to remark back. I craned my head around, looking for an exit. “Where are the gardens? I need some air.”
She rolled her eyes and pointed behind her. “Really?” She huffed. “Down the left corridor, down the steps, and turn right.”
I watched her walk away, then hightailed her directions. Lifting the fabrics of the bottom of the dressed, I hurried down the small staircase with polished bannisters and shining marble. I reached a stretch of unused area. An ornate rug stretched to the corners of the room. I looked to my right, spotting an arched door where the gold frame knotted up into a point. Running out of it, I saw a splash of sunlight on the ground.
My breath hitched. A guard, stationed by the door, looked me up and down.
“I need some air.”
He nodded and moved out of my way. Holding onto my staff like a lifeline, I walked outside. The grass was long and luscious. The heat beat down on my shoulders. I reached a small collection of trees that cast shade I craved. Being out in the sun reminded me of the cage. I didn’t consciously think of it, but my anxiety heightened whenever it was midday. Some days, my heart would squeeze so tightly, I couldn’t breathe. I tried to focus on something else.
Inhaling deeply, I looked out over the vast colors of flowers in their beds and smiled at a gardener who was watering them. I wandered for several minutes, then moved toward the pond. The smell of freshly cut grass calmed me. I strolled along trimmed hedges until my eyes spotted something moving beyond the shadows of an old cedar tree.
I collapsed to my knees when I saw familiar waves of golden hair. The strings of pretending, which had been holding me up, had been cut. “You made it,” I cried.
Cedric rushed to my side and kneeled, pulling me into him. His head rested on mine, and his lips brushed my temple. Everything about him dominated my heart.
“I told you I would come.” He brushed a curl that had escaped, tucking it behind my ear. Tilting my chin to look at him, I sighed relief. His gaze fell into mine. I should have had more faith in him. I knew that now.
“The wedding is in thirty minutes.”
“I’m just in time then,” he whispered and pulled me to my feet. I brushed the dirt from the skirt of my dress, as well as a couple of stray blades of grass.
Whipping my head around in time to see the guard in the distance at the door, my heartbeat quickened. “There’s something I have to do first. I need evidence against Xenos before we leave.” I lifted my staff in the air. “I have this. Don’t worry about me.”
“How did you get that?”
