Finally the servants stop in front of a door. Its polished surface lets me watch my scared expression swing inward as it opens, and behind the door is, I hate to say it, exactly the bedchamber I’d design if I had endless resources and nothing more to worry about than room furnishings.
It’s simple and pretty. Where I had expected it to be as over-the-top as Noam’s gate, it’s nothing but a canopy bed (a really nice canopy bed), an armoire (a really nice armoire), and an intricate lavender rug stretched over wood flooring. Balcony doors stand open opposite me, heavy white curtains rippling in the wind as I walk into the center of the room.
Both servants are only a few years older than me, dressed in plain but simple dresses made of cloth in Cordell’s hunter green. Brown-blond hair hangs in smooth strands down their backs and one of them, her wide brown eyes giving the illusion that she sees everything, steps up to me. “Is this to your liking, Lady Meira?”
“Meira.”
“Yes, that’s what I said. Lady Meira.”
I frown. “No, just Meira. No lady.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Lady Meira.”
I grind my teeth and turn back to the servants. “Fine. What are your names?”
“Mona.”
“Rose.”
“Well, Mona and Rose, what can you tell me about what Noam’s planning?”
Mona keeps her head bowed meekly and Rose simply shrugs.
“We know nothing except that we are to have you dressed and ready by eight.”
I squint at them. “And if I refuse?”
Mona’s eyes widen. Rose, clearly the one in charge, puts a hand on Mona’s. “I hope you don’t. King Noam made it clear that our future in his service depends on you being at the ball.”
One of my eyebrows shoots up. “And you always do exactly what your king demands?”
Rose bobs her head slowly like she isn’t sure why I’d even ask such a question. I expect the same from Mona, but when I notice her hesitating, wringing her hands, I can’t stop a curious grin. Rose sees my sudden change in expression and faces Mona, who throws up her hands and nods so violently that I fear her hair will shake right off her head.
“Of course I obey him!” Mona declares. “I just—it would be nice, wouldn’t it? If we, I don’t know, had our own magic?”
Rose’s face turns as red as her namesake flower. “No Cordellan wants for anything, and you stand here, in front of a guest, and say such things?” She whips to me. “I apologize, Lady Meira—Mona is new to her position.”
Mona relents, dropping her hands and bowing her chin against her chest. But she doesn’t respond to Rose—she turns to me, her eyes on the floor. “Forgive me, Lady Meira.”
I almost forget to bristle at being called “Lady” when I see her small flicker of fire snuffed out. I can’t get the surprise off my face—the only time she spoke up was at the thought of having her own magic? Of not being indebted and linked to Noam?
I hold on to the thought, trying to figure out how to place it in my mind. I’m reminded of the lapis lazuli ball in my pocket, the small circular stone pressing into my thigh. Mather wanted to believe that it was magic, that anyone could just pick it up off the ground. It would make the world much simpler—no one would have to depend on their king or queen to help them. No one would have to stay within the bounds of their kingdoms to partake in their bloodline’s magic. We’d be much less … trapped? That doesn’t feel like the right word, at least as someone who’s been fighting her entire life to get this kind of magic. But maybe in other kingdoms, kingdoms that have had magic for centuries, they ask these questions. They wonder what it would be like to be free of our world’s strict lines.
I shake my head at Mona. “Don’t apologize. It’s fine to ask questions.” Even if I’m not sure what my answers to those questions are. All I know is Winter needs magic to be free. That’s all I can see right now.
Rose snaps to me. “It most certainly is not fine when such questions contradict our king’s clear orders.” She lifts an eyebrow and a finger simultaneously, ready to turn her threats to me.
I back up to the canopy bed and flop out onto it, arms splayed. “No need to get riled up again. I’ll go to the ball.”
When Rose starts talking again, I can hear the smile in her voice. “Excellent. There’s a bath prepared for you through there, Lady Meira.”
My head pops up in time to see Mona point to a door on my left.
“We’ll be back after you’ve rested,” Rose instructs, and ushers Mona out.