r

ood news was anyt

nvolvement, the party had become a full-blown summer soiree. New, last-minute in

by the emperor to honor her husband’s sacrifice for the Hova. She probably heard Prince Acheron was attending and jus

sed Ara as her brother’s pet mouse. Whenever she was in the castle, Ara tried to stay out of her sigh

of the only instances where she was actually thankful that Count Thorn was so possessive about the two. He’d never willfully give away Princess

es from their boxes. Princess Lila had an assortment of jewels and shoes brought

he left the bath, and two fae ma

” Princess Lila said, ho

sn’t used to all this attention. The maids normally didn’t attend to her, but since this was a special occasion an

rummaging through a box of earrings. “You got to dance and drink and get away for a little while. I haven’t be

triumphant ey

ming back to bite her

They rarely discussed the future because they knew they’d never have many choices to do what they wanted.

the simple things about their lives. That they had each other, that they lacked in nothin

justice in the world, they wouldn’t be prisoners or property

a was trying to do just th

,” Ara said, joining Princess

idn’t wear them. What he hadn’t specified was who should wear which, even though there was a clear match for

up the dark red gown from the bed where it lay spread out. “It

its cleavag

e said. “You’ll

ly smile on her face. She set down the red gown and lifted up the cream

*

ize each other when the mai

some adjustments. She wore a mask of the same color embroidered with jewels, and her hair pulled down. On its natural waves, the

er well, considering Princess Lila had a smaller frame. It had sheer sleeves with the same embroidered lace that covered the skirt and bodice. On her head, the maids had set up a crow

like a blotch, she wore a white strip of lace over it.

saw Princess Lila tying up the ribbon.

can’t force me to take it

h to their unspoken rebellion with the dresses. She was commiserating with her friend, presenting themselves as equal

out the door when Prince

ra’s face. It was a cream-colored, plain thin mask that stuck to the skin over th

words and grace. It wasn’t Ara’s turf, as she was used to hiding in the shad

r friend b