I Can Tell We'll Be Fast Friends

As we rise from our bench, Hanisa and Risana invite me to join them and the rest of the ladies in the sitting room for some embroidery before suppertime.

"And that's my cue," Kastien says. "Farewell, ladies. Loralie, I do hope to see more of you in the future."

I nod, shading my eyes slightly with my lashes, before turning to Risana and Hanisa. "I'm not much for embroidery, but I could bring one of the new outfits I'm working on."

"Yes!" Hanisa exclaims. "Then you can teach me some stitches. Oh, won't you, Loralie?"

There's something so genuine behind the question. I can't help but answer with "Of course."

"Wonderful," she answers. "I can already tell we'll be fast friends."

We start for the palace together, and a servant standing farther down the creek joins us. I don't usually take note of servants, but this one is quite handsome.

"Oh, this is Kaelan, my manservant," Risana explains. "He accompanies me most places and will be carrying the embroidery supplies to the sitting room for us."

"My lady." He bows, ahead of chocolate-coloured curls dipping toward the ground.

Unaccustomed to being introduced to servants, I merely inclined my head, but neither Risana nor Kaelan seems offended.

In fact, as soon as we reach the castle, they both start in what must be the direction of Risana's embroidery supplies, the two already deep in conversation.

After I gather my own things, I have a servant escort me to the sitting room. I'm told the room belonged to the late queen, which she used for social activities with the ladies at court.

Apparently, the Shadow King has permitted the female nobility to continue their needlework there, since there isn't a current queen to make use of it.

The doors are opened for me, and I enter into a circular room with marbled floors and a beautifully painted ceiling made to look like the night sky, stars and all. Tall windows let

in plenty of natural light, and a chandelier dangles down, lit with a hundred candles. Though the palace has already been fitted with wires for electricity, I love that the queen kept such a beautiful light fixture.

Plush cushions and chairs spiral around the room, most of them already occupied. The few empty ones I spot are embroidered with black roses on the seats and backs. I've noticed the design throughout the entire castle, and I wonder the reason for it. The royal family's coat of arms is a black stallion kicking its front legs into the air. So this must symbolize something else.

"Loralie!"

I startle at the voice.

"Over here. I've saved you a seat!"

Right in the centre of everything, Hanisa stands and waves me over. She's somehow managed to change her entire outfit, grab her embroidery, and beat me down here. Now she wears a blue overskirt over the top of her black pants. Little bluebirds are sewn over the fabric.

I'm not sure whether to be flattered or annoyed by the blatant imitation of my blue attire.

I tread over to her, clutching a swath of fabric in my arms.

Ladies have their skirts settled around them so they can sit more comfortably on the settees and chairs. Since I'm wearing pants, I opt for a large pillow on the floor, crossing my legs at the ankles as I sit.

Whatever conversation had been ongoing when I entered continues. Hanisa babbles on about the lord she spent the most time dancing with at the ball last night. Risana joins me on the ground, uncaring that her ankles are exposed when she sits.

"If it's not too rude to ask, may I inquire as to your age, Loralie?" she asks.

Mortal ladies shouldn't know my real age.

"I'm twenty," I say. "And you?"

She huffs out a breath. "Twenty-four. I'm fairly certain I'm the oldest unmarried lady at court."

"Surely not," I say, spreading out the fabric along with my lap so I can find where I left off.

Risana nods. "I must admit, however, that I've already been married once. So perhaps it doesn't matter that I'm currently single?"

"What happened to your first husband?" I ask.

"Oh, nothing so dreadful as leaving me. He only died. Not even the richest man can escape old age."

I raise a gloved hand to hide a smile. "Not a love match, then?"

"No, but he left me quite a lot of money, so I suppose I shouldn't complain too much. And he gave me Galen! Galen was his valet, you see. And after my husband died, I just sort of kept him. He was such a huge help in making all the funeral arrangements and helping me adjust."

"Yet you're in a hurry to be wed again?" I ask, amused.

She straightens her skirts. "Oh, I don't have to marry again. Not with my fortune, but I would very much like to have something heated and passionate. I was wed at far too young an age to a shrivelled old man. I'm ready to be with someone young and healthy. Someone I can love. Don't you want that?"

I've done passion before. That's what it was with Jason.

It didn't go over well. Passion doesn't lead anywhere good. It turned me into a murderess.

However, I'm beyond flattered that she would confide in me about her desire for passion without marriage. She's trusting me with this information. It prompts me to answer her honestly.

"I've already had a love match."

She quirks a brow. "But you are unwed. How did it end?"

"He decided he didn't want me anymore. Passion leads to fierce heartbreak, Risana. You might think twice about how badly you wish for it."

"I hadn't thought of that." She looks off into the distance at nothing, lost in thought for a moment. "Either way, I'm getting ahead of myself. I still have four months of mourning left."

"Mourning," I repeat.

"Yes, I'm not wearing black because I wish to. A wife is required to be in mourning for a year after her husband's death. I'm to only wear black, and if I attend social functions, I'm not allowed to fully participate; I must watch from the sidelines."

My mouth drops open. "You can't be serious!"

"Very serious, I'm afraid."

"No, no, no. This won't do at all, Risana! I take back what I said. You do need a passionate tryst. There's no sense in mourning after a man you never loved. We must find you immediately. Is there anyone at court who brings out a passion in you?"

It turns out there are several men Risana is interested in. I promptly forget all the names she tells me, but she titters on about their looks and titles.

At first, I'd chosen my two new friends as a way to appease the council, but I'm realizing now just how useful the two will prove to be. Risana is knowledgeable about all the men at court. She's been observing them (from afar, of course) since her husband died. She might be my opportunity to better fit in with those at court.

And Hanisa is almost obsessed with how I dress. I suspect she'll be the primary source of all gossip about me since she's making such an effort to be like me. Knowing how those at court view me at all times is invaluable. It was only luck that the council revealed what little they knew of me already. I need to be on top of how I'm perceived constantly if I'm to know what the king and his court think of me.