Chapter 39

“He invited you for an afternoon ride alone?”

Tianna didn't understand why Tril sounded so surprised. She crinkled her brow.

“Well, we were hardly alone. I mean, I had four of my guard with me.”

Tril pursed her lips. Today, her hair was left loose, except for the clips that pulled it behind her horns. It was early in the afternoon, so they were both wearing the appropriate gown, Tril's a deep green with gold highlights and Tianna's a striped blue that she wasn't sure she was fond of.

“Given that the guard have sworn loyalty on their lives, you might as well have been,” she tapped a finger on her chin. “I wonder what he is up to?”

Tianna frowned. Just what was she saying? She couldn't help but feel the stab to her pride.

“Is it that hard to believe he might want to spend time with me?”

Tril blinked at her, her mouth hanging open a little.

“Oh, Tianna, of course he might. I only meant that an invite for you alone is a little bold on his part.”

Hmm. For some reason, Tril's words did little to sooth her hurt. Instead, she found herself doubting. Tril *had* said that Torgux often messed with her in order to get under Xor'annan's skin. And they* had*, randomly, come across the very man at the end of the ride. Was he just using her to farther whatever agenda he had in that regard? Could it all have been planned?

She slumped into the chair next to her. From the rug in front of the window, Eveera watched her wide eyed and then giggled.

“I'm sorry, my friend,” Tril said earnestly. “My words got away from me and now they have hurt you. There are, of course, many appealing things about you that will draw suitors, not the least of which is your title, a fact you will have to keep in mind when men attempt to be charming. That you have beauty, as well, will not go unnoticed by many of the eligible courtiers.” She paused, and then sighed. “It is more that the game has just begun. Most of the bachelors will wait a week or two for you to settle in, and then begin with public invites. For Torgux to jump to seeking individual time...”

“Alright,” Tianna relented, “consider me forewarned.” It poked at her pride a little, but hadn't she come to the same conclusion? They had only just met. He was not serious...and neither was she. It was more that she had felt beautiful and desired for the first time since...well, since before her father had died, if she were to be honest with herself, and Tril had sullied that a little. She couldn't be angry, though. If the woman was enough friend to offer her a warning even if her feelings might be hurt, then she was a true friend, indeed.

“Well, enough of that,” Tril declared. She jumped up from where she sat and picked up the large parcel she had wrestled into the room. “Miss Inaz sent this for tonight. I have to say, I think designing for you has refreshed her. She almost *smiled* at me today when I picked this up.”

Tianna snorted. Tril grinned back and carefully undid the twine and paper and held up the gown wrapped within.

Tianna gaped. Feathers, white and soft as down, made up the skirt, each laid perfectly, sewn with what looked like real pearls at the top. They were arranged such that they would flow in a long train when she walked, like the tail of a white peacock. The bodice was tight and sleeveless, a high-necked corset with a firm collar. Feathers were placed there, too, so that they would curve outward and frame her face. She had seen lesser wedding gowns.

“I’m going to break it,” she announced. “This should be hanging in a gallery somewhere, not be worn.”

“A what?” Tril asked.

Right, she had slipped into English when there was no word in this world's language for what she had been thinking.

“It should be displayed publicly, for its beauty.”

“So it shall,” Tril agreed. “She sent this, as well. Your maid won't likely know what to do with it, so I thought I would bring my own and we could prepare for the evening together.”

The item in question was a box. Tianna lifted the lid to peer inside and found several partitions dividing different size sparkling gems and glittering powders.

Tianna raised a brow in question.

“Skin paints,” Tril grinned. “Tonight, the stars will not be the focus of attention I think.”

***

The star-gazing party started, as such things must, well after the sun had set. Tril's maid had joined them in the early evening, after Tianna had tucked Eveera into bed, and had spent more than two hours teaching Chelsey how to properly apply such things.

It seemed like a waste to her, to waste everyone's time like that, but she had to admit the results were magnificent. The dress fit perfectly, the feathers, though they appeared delicate...almost ethereal, were surprisingly durable and subjected to being twisted and bumped without breaking as she had feared. Clear crystals were secured in her tightly curled and pinned hair, so that they shimmered like dewdrops, or perhaps stars on a late summer's evening. The paint was a highly reflective crushed material. invisible unless she moved just so in the lamplight. Tril's maid, Faith, applied it in swirling lines down her arms to her very fingertips, then carefully on her eyelids, sweeping outward toward her hairline. The stuff itched like nobody’s business and there were several times the women had the audacity to slap her fingers when she sought to relieve the feeling.

“It will probably feel better once it dries,” Tril promised from the vanity where she was applying her own makeup, a dark gray that shadowed her skin in a similar but opposite way from Tianna's paint like the brightness of a star versus the inky black of night.

She was right about the itching, thankfully, and by the time the paint had dried completely, and they were on their way through the various palace corridors, trailed by guards from her own house as well as those from Tril's, she felt much better.

“A quick warning,” Tril murmured softly as they began to climb the stairs to the palace observatory. “Torgux is a popular man, and many Daemon of import will be here tonight, including the Overa of Bexita. She probably won't attempt any conflict tonight; to do so would show that she cares too much. Since you trounced her at the banquet when she tried to lower your status, she is much more likely to pretend as though you are beneath her notice.”

“So I should not ask her if she is still looking for a tutor?”

Tril flashed her a wicked grin. “Amusing as that would be, I think the current court consensus is that you were justified in your reaction at the banquet. It puts Mizare in a position of seeming little and petty if she retaliates now. Should you start something, however...”

Tianna waved a hand, momentarily distracted when it shimmered in the lantern light of the stairwell. “I was joking. The more she ignores me the better.”

Tril smiled an approval.

“Smart* and* beautiful. You are quite the human, Tianna.”

The observatory was nothing short of amazing. A glass, domed structure that must have cost several fortunes, it was made from thousands of large clear panes, bound together by thin decorative strips of gold so that it would be easy to believe that one sat in an enormous birdcage, exposed to the open night.

It sat upon the flattened rooftop of the eastern section of the palace. Towers rose behind them, but nothing impeded the view from the east and south. The weather had cooperated and only the barest few clouds obstructed the night sky.

Tables and comfortable chairs littered the space, food was laid out in artistic displays, and long folding dividers sectioned off areas where groups gathered a tad more privately. The inside of the dome was pleasantly warm, which explained Tril's answer to her earlier question about covering the feathered wonder dress with a cloak. Several doors opened to the night beyond the dome, should one wish for fresh air, but it seemed that most of the guests were content to remain inside, glancing up once in a while at the beauty of the sky.

The Daemon turned as they entered, a quiet hush falling momentarily. Torgux was in the center of the dome, entertaining a group of Daemon with some wild story that had them laughing out loud. He turned when they did and then froze, the jovial expression on his face falling in shock.

“Hadriana Trilola, and Binessa Tianna!” Torgux called, gathering himself. He detached himself from his companions and made a path to them, stopping before them and nodding respectfully. “That's it. The night is over. There is nothing left to see that will compete with such beauty.” He smiled at Tril, but his gaze lingered on Tianna. No, she had not mistaken his interest. Other Daemon were turning, too, and Torgux wasn't the only man watching her appreciatively. “Come, the palace chef has prepared the most delicious appetizers; a new recipe, I am told.”

He held out an arm to Tril and then jauntily held the other for Tianna, bouncing his eyebrows a little as if he knew how ridiculous he was.

“Come,” he encouraged, when she hesitated. “I am the host, so you owe me this small favor, and there is still the matter of my wounded pride. Should these other fellows catch a glimpse of me with you two beauties on my arms, they will all expire from their envy. A very fitting reward, indeed.”

Even Tril chuckled, and to Tianna's surprise, took his offer, smiling wryly at her. Whatever Torgux might have made of the gesture, it was obvious he was used to making light of himself and he strode, much like a peacock, toward the table at the center of the dome.

Little bundles sat upon the trays there, delicate and heavenly smelling. Tianna couldn't help herself, she lifted one and took a bite.

“Wow,” Tril groaned. Having taken a sample herself, Tianna had to agree. Warm and savory, with a hint of honey and a tiny bite of spice. She had never tasted anything like it. It might have been the best thing she'd ever eaten, which was saying a lot.

“They've outdone themselves, yes? If I had the money, I’d attempt to lure the chef to my own estates. I would eat these day and night for all eternity.”

“And you would end up as round as Lord Flaxli,” Tril laughed. “But they are extraordinary, I will have to send compliments to him this week.”

“Trilola,” a group of Daemon women approached. Tril turned, a smile on her face, and greeted them.

“Have you ever had the pleasure of viewing the heavens through a looking glass?” Torgux asked her, snatching another one of the little bundles.

This time, Tianna was prepared. Telescopes were not likely common on this world, not from what she’d seen anyway. If she told the truth, it was going to bring around some uncomfortable questions. She shook her head.

“You must allow me to be the first to introduce them then,” he grinned and held out his arm once more. Tianna glanced at Tril, but the younger woman had moved off a little with the group that had approached her.

“It sounds wonderful,” she took his arm. Truthfully, there was still a little part of her that was wounded over Tril’s assessment, that he hadn’t cast her off in this public gathering soothed her pride a little. He might have some sort of ‘game’ he was playing, but it wasn’t to make a fool of her.

“Perfect,” he grinned that open, boyish grin of his. “There’s something I need to speak to you about.”