Sweet Innocence and Gentle Sin || 𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐑

Chapter 39: Say That Again

There's darkness in the distance, I'm beggin' for forgiveness, but I know I might resist it.

~)(~

Steam billowed up, and I watched the particles of water scatter as they met the chilled air. Light flickered in time with the crackle of wood in the fireplace, casting silhouettes against the smooth marble walls. Freshly poured from a simmering pot, the water turned dark—almost red—as Nuala rubbed her fingers over the cup. The flakes of leaves and herbs bled into the liquid, releasing a sweet smell.

"Lemon balm to ease the nerves and chamomile to reduce the nausea," she said, giving me a soft smile before offering the cup.

I drank slowly, letting the scented steam clear my nose. Legs crossed over the settee, with the skirt of a deep blue dress draped over my bed, Cerridwen thread a long, thin needle. I focused my attention on the thin piece of metal, skillfully navigating through the thick fabric and avoiding her fingers. The measured fabric she had cut from a bedsheet was a near-perfect match in color with the sapphire velvet.

Nuala pinned my hair out of my face and spent much too long fussing over where to pin the diamond barrettes. Once she finished, Cerridwen made a show of her work, twirling the dress so the skirt would swish. She made quick work of lacing me into the surprisingly heavy garment and shuffled me to the mirror.

"The way the dress falls, as long as you angle yourself when you sit, no one will notice," she explained. From seemingly nowhere, she offered me a sheathed blade. It was thin, no longer than my forearm, and light as a feather. The handle spiraled in polished obsidian to a point, creating a double-edged weapon.

She smiled and let the blade fall into the pocket she sewed together. "This is my dagger, gifted by an old friend—your friend, too. Treat it well, and it will not fail you."

"I can't—"

"As a signal. Those you can trust will recognize this blade, and you will find your allies." She patted my shoulder and smoothed out the skirt to cover the pocket.

It was... it was a lovely dress, I couldn't lie. The skirt was two pieces of overlapping fabric, creating the illusion of layers in the front. The bodice was designed in the shape of an arch, with pleated draping sleeves that revealed my arms. It was elegant without being an eye-turner—precisely what I hoped for. If I was lucky, I could hide in the corner of the room and blend into the drapes.

I sighed and rubbed my exposed collarbones. "What should I expect?"

Nuala knelt and buckled my heels for me, saying, "Most will know you by name only. High Lords will bring their families and introduce their heirs. Only the High Lords of Spring and Autumn won't be attending."

Cerridwen slid my matching gloves on and said, "Avoid Apollos; he can be rather arrogant. His nephew is quite the poet, though rumors say Helion will never take a wife. Nostrus is kind, though quiet. His cousins Brutius and Tarquin are easier to talk to. The High Lord of Dawn brought his whole family; you'll only need to worry about Thesan, as his father is practically dead already."

Nuala laughed. "Write her a list, won't you?"

"It's very helpful," I said, smiling. "Though, to be honest, I'll likely forget it."

Cerridwen shrugged. "It doesn't matter, anyway. They know you as much as you know them—which is little. Just..."

"I know—endure," I said as I turned away from the mirror. "Do I have everything I need?"

The twins nodded in unison, and Nuala said, "Go now, or else you never will."

Right—right. They wished me luck as I stepped out of the room and started walking down the hallway. My heels were silenced by a runner so thick I knew indents were left behind. The halls were strangely empty, though the echo of music and conversation lured me down the promising corridors of my destination.