I didn’t know when I’d started thinking of the Court of Crimson as my home, but it was. And right now, all I wanted was to return to it. Perhaps I should’ve been overjoyed to have been brought into the secretive fold of the Fae. And I was. I’d learned of my heritage—found out where I’d come from.
As a child, a part of me had always been fascinated by the feared Fae, but now, I just wanted the game to stop. I wanted to spend time with Roan and Orion, Nellie, and Gods, even Groffet. I didn't want to suffer in silence while people criticized me for being something I wasn't or something I was—a Changeling. Would I ever be truly a Fae in their eyes? I hoped so because the Gods only knew I would no longer be human in the eyes of the people who had raised me. The only one who seemed to still love me was Nellie and she was separated from me now. Back at the Court of Crimson while I was here.
At the thought of my friend, I couldn't help but wonder how she was. Had she and Groffet become friends? Had he given her books? She used to love those. I hoped he'd found a way to disguise her from curious eyes too. While I was sure she was quite content in the library reading to her heart's desire with no one bothering her, I was still worried. I’d almost been slaughtered because the princes had originally assumed I was human—because I originally assumed I was human. What would happen to her if she were found out? The princes weren’t there. I didn’t even know who they’d left in charge. Groffet maybe?
Guilt and worry ate at me. I missed her. I worried about her. I wished I’d never left her behind. I wish I hadn’t left at all. None of this would have happened. Not the pass fall. Not the engagement. I let my gaze fall away from the mirror as the door opened and a group of Pixies appeared, flying into the room and shutting the door behind them—several of their little bodies working to push the big plank of wood.
What did someone call a group of Pixies? A Herd? Pack? Gaggle? Swarm? Yes, there was definitely a swarm feeling about it.
"Hello," I said, waving with a smile, thankful to see creatures who didn’t talk behind their hands as I roamed the hallways.
Their tiny faces contorted in horror as I opened my mouth to speak more, but then I abruptly snapped my mouth shut. Well then. Clearly, these weren't as friendly as the ones in the Court of Crimson, but maybe it was just because I hadn't fed them yet. I looked around for food to give them, but I’d eaten earlier and after I’d gotten ahold of that tray, there had been nothing left. What could I say? Growing girls needed their bread and cheese and crackers. I smiled to myself. Those had been delicious. The best crackers I’d ever had. I wondered if magic made things taste better.
The Pixies floated closer. They were different from the ones back at the Court of Crimson. There was something vicious about them. Their teeth appeared sharper and their dark eyes, beadier, if possible. The bulk of the swarm carried over a few containers and items, dropping them next to me unceremoniously.
Next, they opened the containers and as I stared somewhat absently and lost in my own thoughts, they withdrew shimmering fabrics. Finally, they held up a dress before me and I could see my reflection in the mirror through the gauzy material. The gown itself was a soft silver that made it appear translucent. Straps were held up by tiny arms as the Pixies flew back and forth, crisscrossing the strands to showcase how the garment was meant to be worn.
I sighed. Dresses were so confining. I’d love nothing more than to slip into a pair of breeches and a long shirt, but from the way things seemed in the Fae courts, women wore dresses—often skimpy dresses that left little to the imagination, but dresses nonetheless. And so, I was expected to wear them as well. Especially since Roan had announced our fake engagement. I slipped out of the simpler gown I’d been wearing and took the dress the Pixies held up, tugging the mass of skirts at the bottom over my head.
The fabric shimmied down the rest of my body and the Pixies picked up the straps, and I gasped as they molded into an icy blue tone that crossed over my front and wrapped around and under my breasts, holding them up. There were completely open slits in the sides of the skirt. I turned and glanced over my shoulder. This dress wasn’t nearly as confining as the ones I’d worn before. My legs felt freer, too.
There were a few sections of the bodice that were cut out and the corset-like top made me feel like my ribs were about to crack as the Pixies tightened the back. I released an oomph as they wove the ties together. The neckline was studded with black jewels that glittered and sparkled in the light.
My arms remained sleeveless. I reached down, smoothing hands over my stomach. The material was so thin, I could feel the heat of my palms. The Pixies rose and fluttered around my head, their tiny fingers twisting the white blonde strands of my hair back into what felt like intricate knots and small braids around the top of my head. Kohl was smeared across my eyes and a mask was held in front of my face. I reached out and touched it, taking it in my hands.
The center of the mask, where the eye holes were, was smooth and black. The same jewels that decorated the top of my gown were scattered around the edges of the mask. I lifted it, fitted it over my face, and held out the silken strings as the Pixies took them and tied them to the back of my braided crown. A silver tiara was lifted and fitted at the top of my head.
I sucked in a breath as my eyes lifted and met my reflection. I didn’t look like myself. I looked … ethereal. Different. Like a true Fae. It was then that I noticed the silvery hue of the dress wasn’t just blue. The blue was most concentrated around the bodice, but the skirt shimmered with hints of red and purple. My heartbeat picked up. Never in a million years would I have thought that I’d be standing here. To be honest, I hadn’t seen much of a future beyond the convent. I’d certainly never expected to stand in a castle made of ice and magic, dressed like a princess, preparing for a masquerade ball.
The Pixies dispersed, backing away as I turned and headed for the door. I stopped with my hand on the doorknob. Was I supposed to walk myself to the Feast of Beasts? No one had come for me and I could already hear the laughter and music coming from the great throne room. I’d never waited for anyone before, so I turned the knob and stepped out into the corridor.
As soon as I did, I nearly crashed into another woman. She stopped abruptly, the sapphire of her gown a brilliant color against the subdued gray stone walls around us. “My apologies,” she said, dipping her head respectfully.
I looked behind me before flipping back around. Was she bowing … to me? My eyes bulged from my head. “Uhhh, no it was my fault,” I said quickly.
She didn’t say anything to that. Instead, she straightened and skirted around me, but I still wasn’t sure if I was supposed to stay in my room or meet Sorrell at the party. “Wait,” I called.
The woman froze, her dainty features scrunching as she turned back. “Yes?”
“I’m sorry, but I was hoping you could tell me…” I drifted off, gesturing to my cracked door. “Do you know if I’m supposed to wait for my attendant to come get me or am I allowed to go to the Feast of Beasts by myself?”
Her head tilted and her eyes roamed down my form. I straightened away from the door, letting it shut behind me. I was left standing in the corridor—no Pixies, no other Fae, just me and this girl.
“You don’t know?” she asked.