Essence of the Angels (The Starlight Chronicles #2)

Chapter Eleven

Valarie's POV

"Lady Elaina! You're back," Lady Heather exclaimed upon seeing me. "Excellent—we could use your help. We're working on a dress for the Queen. There's a ball coming up in a month."

I forced a smile and sat down on the stool Lady Celeste had fetched for me. She dumped yards and yards of fabric on my lap and placed many sewing needles laced with threads by my side. A knowing twinkle was in her eye—she knew there was something about sewing that soothed and distracted me from all of the pain and grief that I was currently feeling.

All around me were young women, working on the same dress. It was a brilliant gold dress that shimmered like starlight, and puffed out in layers and layers of rich, beautiful fabric.

"I wish you could join us more often, Lady Elaina," Lady Heather mused with a smile. She was working on the hem detailing.

"I apologize—the princess has been busy," I replied blankly.

"It must be hard, being a handmaiden to the princess herself," Lady Celeste commented, a knowing look in her eyes. I was already feeling much more at ease in their company. The sewing room was like a fairyland, far away from the unthinkable things I'd done upstairs.

"At times, it can be challenging, but it's not so bad. I miss my days as a seamstress though. Some days, I wish I could be back in a small shop, working on a shirt for my mother again."

"Oh, your mother was a seamstress?" Lady Heather asked.

A pit filled my stomach. Lady Celeste knew, but not Lady Heather. It would be unwise to share secrets to more ears than those who had already heard.

I forced a smile.

"Yes," I said quietly. Lady Heather's eyes lightened, but grief overcame me again.

I should have kept my mouth shut.

Lady Celeste saw my expression had fallen and quickly shook out a new piece of fabric to draw Lady Heather's gaze away.

"You know what, Lady Elaina," Lady Celeste said quickly as she looked me directly in the eyes. "I think we have enough staff here after all. You should take the afternoon off, before returning to your duties. It would do you much good to get some fresh air.'"

She was giving me a way out.

I nodded appreciatively and rose from my stool.

"I might just do that," I said, forcing a smile to hide my oncoming tears. "I'll see you all later." I gave each of the seamstresses a nod.

Quickly, I hurried from the sewing room and down the palace hallways. I wiped at my eyes bitterly and swallowed hard to fight the urge to sob.

I didn't stop walking until I was outside in the fresh air of the gardens. I wandered through the courtyard slowly, trying to steady my emotions and gather my bearing once more.

"Lady Adrina?" a voice whispered—not Lady Celeste's —and I felt a bolt of ice run through my body. I kept my head very still, fighting the urge to spin around.

It had not been a male voice either, meaning it couldn't have been Julian. Which meant someone else knew of my true identity.

"Lady Adrina," the voice said again, firmer this time. Slowly, I turned and spotted a girl in the shadows of a palace archway. She beckoned to me closer.