I'm not telling anyone.
Not even Fen.
When he asks about our dress shopping that night, I admit we didn't get around to it.
"She got busy at the forge," I say. "All those swords you need. For that war you won't tell me about."
He huffs at that. "We just need to be prepared for all eventualities."
The distance between us is growing, and I'm not sure what to do about it. We have breakfast and dinner together every day. We train every morning. But there's a wall between us, one he keeps adding to each time he turns away from my gaze, or pulls away from my touch.
"I will call Asher. He can help you with your gown. That man spends far too much time watching fashion reality television when we are in your world. It's not natural."
I nearly choke on the apple I'm eating. "I'm just trying to picture him glued to your big screen screaming at the television when the wrong person wins," I say, smiling.
"That's about the whole of it," Fen says seriously.
"And to think, he acted like he'd never heard of reality television when we first met," I say, thinking back to the day I found out about all of this.
Fen smirks. "He is quite attached. It is his secret shame, I think. If he were not a prince of hell and vampire condemned to the darkness of your world, I do believe he would make a career of it."
"He does have good taste," I say. "If you like that kind of thing," I add, when Fen raises an eyebrow at me. "Your leather and cotton look has its own kind of charm. More Viking than GQ, but there's a market for that," I assure him.
I almost see a flicker of a smile on his lips before we are interrupted by a soldier who requires Fen's attention on the training field.
Fen excuses himself and Baron stays with me as I finish my dinner in silence.
The next day, Asher shows up with an entourage carrying silks and satins in all shades. "Darling, I have been informed you are in crisis mode and are in need of a dress. I am here to save you."
I smile at the absurdity of him, but I let him direct the circus of people he's brought. Under his direction, red and white material is chosen, and Asher instructs his servants on how to design the gown in such a way as to flaunt my best features. They take measurements of every inch of my body, then rush out with orders to make haste sewing.
When I ask Asher about this presenting I'll be attending, he shrugs. "I, unfortunately, was called away on business when the Council met about this. We will both be surprised, I assure you. I'm guessing formal cocktail hour at High Castle, with you as the guest of honor. You'll be dashing, I assure you."
I'm still nervous about the whole ordeal, but how bad could it be? I've found my footing here, and I do want to meet the rest of the princes. I walk Asher out of the castle and through Stonehill, enjoying a few minutes without work.
"You look well," he acknowledges as we approach the gate. "This life is agreeing with you."
"Thank you," I say. "I'm finding ways of staying busy."
He smiles, and his attractiveness is not lost on me, but neither does it make my knees shake. I know who I have to blame for that, thank you very much.
"I've heard the people speaking of you in hushed admiration," he says. "They like you. A lot. The vampires, the Shade, even the slaves. I don't think any of us were expecting that."
I cock my head. "Did you expect I would be horrible and hated?"
He grins. "Not exactly. We just didn't realize you would have everyone falling in love with you so quickly."
"Surely not everyone," I say, thinking of Fen and the way he pulls his hands away from me when he finds them lingering too long during our training.
Asher winks at me before walking away. "You might be surprised, Princess."
That day Kayla steals me away from the forge and we travel through Stonehill on a quest. Well, at least I call it a quest. Kayla rolls her eyes. "You'll need proper jewelry for this little party the princes are planning. Daison is manning my booth at the moment. We'll find you something perfect to match your gown."
Stonehill is deceptively large. At first glance, because of the mountains surrounding it, perhaps, it seems quaint. Charming. And it is, but it's more expansive than I realized. The very wealthy and well-connected vampire lords live in large manors built into the mountains, their roofs often displaying elaborate gardens and sculptures. Most of the Shade live in small clusters of modest thatch housing spotted with flower beds and potted plants. Each district has its own name and personality, though I am still trying to remember them all. There is Centerhill, the commerce district, full of shops and street-side booths. So far, it's the most flavorful and exciting. It's where Kayla leads me now.