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My hands slid down the silk, admiring the gold lace I’d applied at the bottom and along the neckline. Though it wasn’t in Roar’s house colors, the gold paid homage to the Lisika House and the purple hue made me happy. Even Sayyida had been impressed when I told her how little time it had taken. Marit Armenil and Princess Saga seemed completely taken with the piece fit for a lady.
“I should have you make something for me,” Marit said from where she perched on Saga’s dusky pink blanket. “Would you?”
“I could start on it while we’re here,” I replied.
Marit was sweet, and I’d love to make her something to complement her red hair and fair complexion. I either made her a gown at court, or it would never happen. That would break my heart, like I’d let down a true friend.
My heart clenched. Though I’d only been in Avaldenn a short time, I already considered these ladies to be friends, especially Saga and Sayyida, who had taken every effort to include me. But others, like Marit and the Balik sisters, had been friendly too. If I had been a normal fae, if I didn’t have to flee south, I could see our relationships growing.
“Whenever you have the time,” Marit assured me, “I would love a creation by the one and only Lady Neve.”
My cheeks warmed. “And you shall have one. Are you opposed to green?”
“I love it!” Marit exclaimed. “Our house wears so much gray and black, but I adore a bit of color.” She beamed at me, and I made a note to have someone go into the city and bring me back bolts of emerald fabric.
“Now that that is settled.” Saga approached me. Her maid servant had finished her makeup and the pink-haired princess looked stunning in a gown of royal blue and gold trimmed with white fur. “Might I have a moment, Neve?”
“Of course.” I stood and placed my wine on the side table to follow Saga across the room.
She stopped before a vanity. “I have something for you. The moment I saw your dress, I thought of it.” She opened a wooden box inlaid with a gold moon surrounded by stars and pulled out a circular item covered in amethyst gems.
My breath caught in my throat. “It’s lovely, Saga.” I paused. “But what is it?”
The circular, silver piece looked slightly smaller than the size of my palm. On the circle, gems shone, and a rod of silver ran through the center, bisecting it and extending on each side. This was not a necklace, bracelet, or ring. I’d never seen a piece of jewelry like this.
“It’s for your hair.” She twirled it between her fingers, and the amethyst gems caught the dying sunlight coming in through the windows. The snow had let up, and the day had been cold and crisp. I examined the piece closer and saw that the gems formed snowflakes. How very fitting.
“I can put it in, if you like?” Saga asked.
“Please.” I turned, presenting my long silvery-white hair, curled to perfection thanks to Clem.
“I’ll pull back a few pieces from the front and weave it through the circlet, if that’s alright?” Saga asked, already working her magic.
“Do whatever you think looks best.” I tried not to sound like I was about to burst into tears, which I definitely was. Though, when I caught Marit and Sayyida watching us from across the princess’s chambers, I realized it didn’t matter. They smiled warmly, plainly reading my emotions. Clemencia looked even worse. Her hand was gripped to her chest, and a soppy expression crossed her face.
Blazing stars, I’m getting too soft.
“Here we are,” Saga announced a moment later. “Have a look?” She plucked a gold-plated mirror from her vanity and handed it to me.
Using the larger vanity mirror, I positioned the hand mirror so that I could see the back of my head. I smiled. Saga had pulled back wisps of my hair from the front and woven them through the circle of snowflakes, which made my hair half up and half down. Curls cascaded from the accessory, and the gems gleamed against my white hair.
“I love it. Thank you, Saga.” I gave her back the smaller mirror. “I’ll return it to you tomorrow.”
Saga shook her head. “Oh, no. I wish for you to keep it.”
My lips parted. “I—it’s too much. I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. I’ve only worn it once, and Mother gave it to me when I was a small youngling.” Saga placed a hand on my shoulder. “Take it, use it, my friend.”
Stars alive! I would cry and ruin the makeup Clemencia had helped me artfully apply. I swallowed and pushed back the tears threatening to leak from my eyes.
“Thank you.” I sniffed. “I’m so glad that I met you.”
“And I’m so glad that you’ll soon be one of the Sacred Eight.” Saga grinned. “It gives us a chance to come see you more easily.”
My stomach rolled. I hated lying about this. “Both the warden and I would love that.”
“I’m not so sure about Roar wanting us there,” Sayyida spoke up. “But we’ll take your welcome. You can show us around the western territory!”
