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“I’m coming,” I grumbled, straightening my dress again and clopping my way over to the door.
The large door that separated me from my sitting room and the Boy’s space had two locks, one on his side, and one on mine. He had unlocked his the second I had knocked over the books, clearly expecting me to be assassinated, which was impossible because the only other way into my room was through the single window I was granted, which happened to be covered with bars.
Mother would stop at nothing to keep me hidden away.
But not anymore.
I flung the door open to the Boy who was ready for whatever terror was coming through. His sword was half drawn, his body edged in fury. Then he froze.
I could only imagine the shock that was going through his head as he looked me up and down, very slowly.
He made a sound that was half chuckle half whistle as his head continued to bob.
“I know, I know, I’m gorgeous.” I fluffed my hair which had disintegrated into a rat's nest and made my way past him, swaying my hips with exaggerated ease so that the whole of the gigantic skirt moved like a bell.
“Prim, proper, and perfect.” I swished again, he chuckled. “She won’t be able to say no when she sees me in this monstrosity.” I grinned and swooshed some more. He shook his head.
“No. We don’t need that negativity. This is going to work. My mother will see me in the dress and the Goddesses will come down from the Ether and tell her that she has to let me go. It’s perfect.” He was still shaking his head. I resisted making a crude gesture, I at least had to try to be a lady. “Now, let's get this over with.”
I said I would try.
First, I needed to get ass-kissing so I could find my way out of this monstrosity.
I swooshed my way over to the door, only to be blocked by the Boy, his hand already up. That had never been enough to stop me.
That time I did roll my eyes.
“Not today, Boy. I’m going to see my mother. I’m going to grovel if I have to.” I stepped forward, expecting him to move aside like he usually did. He stayed still, making the gesture for no and then one that was clearly for anger.
“She’s going to be angry no matter what I do,” I sighed, trying again to get past him.
Again, he didn’t move.
“Oh, hell no, I did not do any of this just for you to stop me!” I would muscle my way past him if I had to, something that I quickly realized was impossible when one was dressed like a dessert and the person blocking their way was the equivalent of a brick wall.
“Please, Boy, don’t try to actually do your job properly today. Look at this,” I held my arms out. “When was the last time you saw me in a real dress?” He gestured around his hip, the height indication clear. “Exactly, I was tiny. At least let me walk around the hallways for a few, I’ll make sure to cough like a dying woman every few minutes, maybe I’ll talk to statues so people think I’m crazy too.”
He groaned, his head turning up as he shook it slightly.
“Don’t roll your eyes, you know I’m right.” He did, too. He shook his head again and then made the gesture that was clearly ‘No, Mother.’
“Fine,” I hesitated. If that was the problem then I would have to find a way around it. Or, at least, a way to get close to Mother. “Then I’ll go see Father.”
I would go see Batian, but he would only laugh. My father was the Ramal and he was technically the one who would pull the strings anyway. Besides, he was also the only one of my parents who cared about me.
He should have been my first choice, would have been if I had been allowed to see him on my own anytime in the last few years. I was in for an uphill battle anyway; I might as well pick the parent who would be happy to see me.
The Boy gave a click and a nod before opening the door, standing aside so I could lead the way.
My shoes were loud in the hall, the clip clop more like a horse as I tried to stomp my way around. I had never worn heels before, and I was sure my legs were moving like a chicken’s as I tried to keep myself upright. Thank the Goddess the dress was big and stupid enough that it covered everything.
Everyone looked as I sauntered past, and I made sure to cough loudly every time someone stared too long, which earned me an amused growl from my shadow.
“I’m sick and dying, remember,” I hissed at him, and coughed again.
Batian’s rooms, as well as my old rooms, were right beside our parents. After Tobin had died I had been moved to a lower hall on the other wing, which made a much longer walk to reach them. It also gave me a much longer walk to cough and look despondent, and thankfully by the time I reached the wing where the rest of my family was I had gained control over the shoes and I wasn’t sounding like I was a chicken attempting to storm the castle.
Which was good, because the hall was not empty.
