An Affinity For Fire

15. Clover

Clover thought the guest bedroom she'd been put in was glamorous, but Calio's was something else entirely. While two servants fussed over Calio's hair and face, Clover strode around the room, taking in every exquisite detail. The bed itself was the size of her room at home, with burgundy sheets neatly tucked in at the sides and a dozen or so small cushions in various fabrics scattered at the head. The wallpaper was black with gold floral patterns creeping from carpet to ceiling. Behind the dressing table was a vast window overlooking the royal orchard.

"Right," Calio said once the servants had left. "You're taller and thinner than me so finding something that fits is going to be a challenge. Something which is meant to look loose would be better than something fitted. At least then the oversized appearance will seem deliberate."

Clover nodded along, not entirely sure how to respond.

"I'm afraid I don't have anything green, so you'll have to wear Aestasan colours. How do you feel about that?"

Clover shrugged. "I don't suppose it matters."

Calio eyed her thoughtfully. "I'll bet you would look stunning in scarlet. Hold on, let me get something out." She opened a wardrobe and scanned the array of red and black dresses, settling on a startlingly bright garment. "Thoughts?"

Clover took the dress, running her fingers over the smooth, feather-light fabric. While most of the clothes hanging in Calio's wardrobe brought to mind blood and wine and fire, the shade of this dress was closer to that of the poppies that grew in so many Ortusian gardens.

"I like it. It's very ... bold. You're sure you don't mind me borrowing it?"

"Not at all," Calio assured her. "Besides, it's not really my shade. I'm sure it'll look much better on you than it does on me. Try it on."

Clover waited for Calio to turn her attention towards the dressing table before letting her trousers fall to the floor and unbuttoning her shirt. She quickly pulled the garment over her head, tugging at the fabric to straighten it out. The skirt didn't quite reach her ankles, but she didn't think anyone would notice. All eyes would undoubtably be on the young Queen Regent in her black silk dress. Her fiery hair had been ornately pinned back, with loose strands framing her pale, freckled face, and her neck was adorned with half a dozen necklaces, each with enough rubies to feed a small village.

The Queen turned around, having selected a pair of black fingerless gloves from one of the draws, and examined Clover.

"See? I said scarlet would suit you," she said, although it sounded more like an observation than a complement. "How about a necklace?" she turned back to the dressing table and opened another draw, pulling out a dainty gold chain with an obsidian pendant.

"How about this? Or you can have a silver chain, if you prefer. Or how about I try to find something with some green? It might look odd with the red, but if it makes you more comfortable-"

Clover shook her head. "I'm sure this one will look perfect."

Calio smiled and gave a sharp, satisfied nod. As Clover fiddled with the necklace, the Queen began to unbuckle the leather cuff on her right wrist, slipping it off and replacing it with a glove. Then she removed the left cuff, and suddenly Clover realised why she wore them in the first place. The skin of her left wrist was red, hairless and twisted, with thick, white veins like the roots of a tree curling up her forearm.

When Calio glanced over her shoulder, Clover darted her eyes away, pretending she hadn't been looking.

A burn scar, she thought. But she's supposed to be resistant to fire...