Of magic and blood

Chapter Twenty-Six

Something was coming. I could feel it brewing, like storm clouds gathering on the horizon.

And whatever was coming, it wasn't good.

There were only five days until the wedding. It was hard to believe it was so close, but it wasn't the wedding that worried me the most.

It was Lilac. She should've been back by now, or at least sent word to me that she was all right. I told myself not to assume the worse, that Lilac was strong and resourceful, she'd make it through somehow.

Queen Evangelina and Queen Miriam had put together a gala tonight to celebrate the upcoming wedding. It was the biggest event, besides the wedding itself, that they were putting on.

"This one." Alexia was almost fully buried in Lilac's wardrobe, trying to find something for me to wear while I soaked in a large copper tub with scented oils.

In the laundry house, I had been allowed to bath in the leftover water, but never before had the water been warm or clean.

I watched as she struggled to pull the dress she wanted out of the wardrobe, then gasped when I saw what dress it was. It had layers upon layers of tulle in beautiful gray-blue, another sweetheart neckline with sleeves that looped across the shoulders, a natural waist, and no embroidery to enhance the simplicity of the dress. Alexia was right; it was the perfect dress for the gala.

I found no joy in readying myself for the gala. The bad feeling lingered, like a chill in the air that you couldn't quite get rid of. Alexia must've noticed as she did up all the tiny buttons on the back of the dress.

"Is everything all right, Lily?" She asked.

I thought of lying to her, of reassuring her that all was well, but at the worried look in her eyes, my resolve crumbled. I squeezed fistfuls of tulle in my trembling hands.

"I'm so worried." I whispered, "Worried for Lilac, for this ruse we've somehow managed to keep the pretense of, for just... everything."

Alexia said nothing as she finished with the buttons, then gently turned me around to face her. A constellation of pale freckles was dusted across her nose and cheeks, and I noticed things that I normally wouldn't have. Like her thick eyelashes, and the way her curly hair fell thickly around her shoulders. Alexia was beautiful in a subtle way, a way that you never noticed until suddenly, you did.

"Lily," her voice was even, soft, but I could still hear the wobble in her words, "Lilac is like a sister to me, and in these past few days, you've grown to be like a sister to me as well." We both took a shuddering breath, "And if... if she doesn't... come back, then... then I would stand by you for as long as I am able. You may not be a princess in other's eyes, but you are every inch of a princess to me."