Chapter 34 The sunlit banquet
The invitation arrived early morning on gilded paper.
A garden banquet in honor of Lord Sebastian Valois. The Royal Gardens. Midday. Attendance required.
I read it twice, then handed it to Liriel. "She's doing it on purpose."
"Princess Elowyn?"
"Who else? A garden banquet at midday. In full sunlight. She knows I can barely keep my eyes open in sunlight. She's daring me to suffer through it or refuse and look petty."
Liriel examined the invitation. "Then we make sure you don't suffer."
"What do you mean?"
A rare smile crossed her face. "Leave that to us, Your Majesty."
\-——————————————
The morning of the banquet dawned blindingly bright.
I stood at the window of my chambers, my own chambers, which I still kept and treasured despite spending my nights in Cardan's cold bed, and watched the sun climb over Aurelia Prime. The sky was a merciless blue. Not a cloud in sight. Elowyn had ordered perfect weather, no doubt.
"They're ready for you, Your Majesty," Thalia announced.
I turned. And stopped.
My handmaidens had outdone themselves.
The gown was black, not Aurelian gold, not diplomatic silver or any boring Aurelian colour, but deep, uncompromising Hel black. The silk drank the light rather than reflecting it, shimmering faintly violet at the edges. The cut was dramatic: long sleeves that pooled at my wrists, a neckline that plunged just enough to be daring, a train that flowed behind me like spilled ink. But it was the accessory that made me laugh out loud.
Sera held up a parasol. Not a simple sun-shade, an extravaganza of black lace and black beads, large enough to cast a shadow over three people, lined with silver thread that caught the light and scattered it like stars.
"You're bringing your own darkness," Sera said. "Let the sun do its worst."
"You're all geniuses," I breathed. "Absolute geniuses!!"
"We know," Liriel said. "Now hold still. We haven't done your hair yet."
\-————————————
The Royal Gardens had been transformed.
Golden pavilions dotted the manicured lawns. Golden fountains sprayed water tinted with what I suspected was actual gold dust. Golden flowers, because of course, had been arranged in massive displays, their petals catching the sunlight and reflecting it back with blinding intensity. Courtiers milled about in their finest silks, their skin dewed with the particular sheen of people who were pretending not to be sweating.
I arrived fashionably late.
The effect was immediate. As I stepped onto the lawn beneath my magnificent black parasol, a ripple of whispers spread through the crowd. The contrast was stark, all that gold and sunlight, and then me, a walking shadow in their midst, my black gown drinking in the light like a challenge.
Ash, perched on my shoulder in his smallest form, rumbled with satisfaction.
Cardan was standing near the central fountain, speaking with Lord Castellan. He looked up as I approached. His eyes swept over my gown, the parasol, the deliberate, defiant darkness of my presence.
Something flickered in his expression. Surprise. And something else. Something that might have been admiration.
"Your Majesty," he said. "You're late."
"I'm fashionable. There is a difference."
"The Princess Elowyn was hoping you'd arrive earlier."
"I'm sure she was. Where is the dear princess anyway?"
Cardan's mouth twitched. "Burning a hole in the refreshment table with her eyes. She's been glaring at it since you arrived."
"Excellent. That was the goal."
I swept past him, my parasol held high, and made my way into the heart of the garden.
\-——————————————-
Sebastian found me within minutes.
"Your Majesty." He bowed, his hazel eyes dancing with amusement. "You've caused quite a stir. I think Lady Mireille just choked on her wine. The Lords looked quite appalled."
"Lady Mireille should drink slower."
"She should stop staring. You're not a painting."
"I'm better than a painting. Paintings don't talk back."
He laughed. "This is why I like you. You're the only person in this court who says what she means. You are the only honest person here." He offered me his arm. "Walk with me?"
I took it.
We strolled through the gardens, my parasol casting its protective shadow over both of us. Sebastian had dressed formally for the occasion, a coat of deep blue velvet, silver buttons, a cravat that had probably cost more than most humans made in a year. He looked like a prince. He looked like someone who belonged here.
"My party is leaving next week," he said. "My uncle wants me back. There's been... developments. Bad developments..."
"The Crown Prince? How is his health?"
"His health is worsening. The physicians are doing what they can, but..." He shrugged. "I may be needed at court sooner than expected."
"Then why are you still here? You should be very well on your way!"
"Because I wanted to see you." He glanced at me. "And because I'm still trying to figure out what's happening in this court. The debts are one thing. But there's something else. Something beneath the surface. I don't quite know what it is yet."
"You've noticed that too."
"Hard not to. I can't tell why they're all like this. They should be worshipping the ground you step on, with the power you hold. But, the lords avoid you like you're carrying plague. The princess looks at you like she's imagining your funeral. And the King..." He paused. "The King I am not sure. He looks at you like he's not sure whether to kiss you or kill you."
My step faltered. "He does not."
"He does. I've been watching him watch you. It's fascinating. He's jealous, you know. Of me. Of anyone who gets near you. He hides it very well, but us males are all the same."
"Oh Cardan isn't jealous. He's possessive of what he believes is his. There's a difference."
"Is there?"
"Possession is about ownership. Jealousy is about fear. Cardan doesn't fear anything... or even losing me."
Sebastian's expression was thoughtful. "I think this is the first time you are wrong Princess. I think he fears losing you most of all."
Before I could respond, a servant appeared at my elbow. "Your Majesty, the Princess Elowyn requests your presence at the eastern pavilion."
The summons was not unexpected. I excused myself from Sebastian and made my way across the garden, my parasol held high, my shadows trailing behind me.
Elowyn was waiting beneath the golden canopy of the eastern pavilion. She was dressed in ivory silk, her golden hair swept up and studded with diamonds. She looked like a radiantsun goddess. She also looked like she wanted to set me on fire.
"Princess," I said. "Lovely weather for a banquet."
"You know why I asked you here."
"To compliment my gown? It's Hel silk. Very rare. Very expensive. Do you like it?"
"I know what you're doing." Elowyn's voice was low, dangerous. "The marriage alliance. Sending me off to marry a human prince. Fraternising with Lord Sebastian Valois. You think I don't see your game?"