Page 29 of The Beast King's Bride

8

ASH

They take a long while to come and take me out of the study. I try the handle, pound my fist on the door, yell until my voice is hoarse, and then just slide down with my back against the wood, frustrated and annoyed.

Not only I didn’t get to escape, I’m now locked inside a study.

After a while, I get up and open the desk drawers one by one, rifling through the papers there. They’re in the delicate Fae script, though, that I can’t read, so it’s a waste of time. The papers are folded together in small packages. As I lift them, a seal ring rolls out.

I lift it in the dim light from the narrow window. Its gem is deep blue and the etching is that of a tyger under a full moon, a horned tyger, the stripes on his sides etched in white.

I let it fall back inside the drawer as the lock turns, at long last, and the door swings open.

A Fae maid is standing there, her eyes wide, pointed ears poking out of her fair hair that’s braided and twined around her head. She curtsies, spreading her gray skirt. “My lady. The king requests your presence at lunch.”

“I’m not hungry,” I mutter.

Her eyes widen more. “I apologize if my human speech is faulty, my lady. Let me try again. His majesty the king has requested your presence at lunch.”

“I understood very well.” I sigh. “What happens if I refuse?”

“You cannot refuse the king, my lady.”

“Can’t I? Will he throw me in the dungeons if I ask to eat alone?”

“His majesty is gracious, my lady. He wouldn’t do that. Is that your wish, to eat alone?”

I almost say yes—almost say that gracious is not a word I’d use to characterize this king—then remember how hard it will be to get out of the maze if I’m led back to my room and sigh. “No. You can tell him that I’ll join him for lunch.”

“Yes, my lady. I will fetch you a better-suited dress to wear in the king’s presence.”

And she’s gone so quickly I don’t even have time to object. A glance outside my door shows me two guards, so simply walking out of here is out of the question.

At least she’s back pretty quickly, too, accompanied by another, older maid, and a dark gown that fits the mood of this palace well. They help me out of my borrowed clothes and into the shimmering blue-black gown. It’s simple and elegant, the long sleeves fitted, the bust modest. The belt is made from the same fabric and it’s wide, like an outer corset. Low black boots and black gloves complete the ensemble, and they lift my hair, pinning it in a twist.

I turn slowly inside the study, looking down at myself. The skirt flares, then settles again, warm and soft around my legs.

“My lady can have a bath afterward if she likes,” the younger maid says, stepping closer to adjust one of my gloves.

“Are you saying I stink?”

“My lady!” She sounds horrified. “Never.”

Those wide eyes make me grin. “I do stink,” I say. Not too bad but the thought of a warm bath is so tempting, and these clothes make me feel like I should try harder.

“I’ve never met a princess like you,” she whispers, wide-eyed.

“Is that good or bad?”

“Good! I mean… I cannot judge, my lady.”

“His majesty has good taste,” the older Fae says. “You are pretty.”

And now I’m annoyed again. “I don’t want to be beautiful for him. Your king has brought me here against my will. I want to go home.”

The two Fae exchange looks. “You don’t care about lifting his curse?”

“His curse? How am I supposed to do that?”

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