Chapter 120

“Lady Sephorina,” Eli said, both surprise and apprehension noticeable in his tone. “It’s... nice to see you.”

“You as well,” Seph replied as the two parties finally met up just a few doors away from the ladies’ destination. “Congratulations on your... appointment. I was very surprised when my mother described the turn of events.” She offered her hand and he took it, brushing his lips across her knuckles as was to be expected, but Galter and the other guardsmen hung back, saying nothing at all. Kit met the dark-haired guard’s eyes for a moment, and she couldn’t tell if he was bewildered or amused.

“Thank you,” Eli said hastily. His eyes were darting around as if he weren’t quite sure where to look. “No one was as surprised as I was.”

Kit begged to differ but kept her thoughts to herself. “How do the two of you know each other?” she asked, curiosity overcoming her need to whisk Seph far, far away from her Eli.

“We met when the captain was stationed in my hometown,” she explained. “We knew each other... quite well.”

All of the unanswered questions in the back of Kit’s mind were resolved as Seph’s cheeks glowed pink, and Eli finally met her gaze for only a moment before offering. “That was several years ago.”

“It doesn’t seem like that long ago to me,” Seph stated, a bit too territorial for Kit’s taste.

“I see,” Kit said, not wanting to admit she’d put all the pieces together. “Well, we actually refer to Eli as Commander here, since he has been Commander of my guard for several years.” She knew he’d risen to the rank of captain in the army, and she couldn’t blame Seph for referring to him by that rank, but it was something to say, and it would make the situation less confusing for the woman. She couldn’t help but add, “But now that he is one of my Representatives, I’ve taken to simply calling him Eli—like I did before. While we were growing up. Together.”

Seph seemed to be skilled at filling in the blanks as well, and her hazel eyes widened as she said, “Oh, yes, of course.” Whether or not Eli had mentioned Kit to the other woman when they’d known each other before or she was just deciphering from Kit’s tone what the situation entailed, she seemed less amorous and more embarrassed—maybe deceived. Kit suddenly wondered what it might be that her mother said to get Seph here in the first place. Clearly, this was another of the queen’s attempt to drive a wedge between Kit and Eli. The princess resolved herself that it wouldn’t work—until she remembered there was already a chasm separating them, one she’d put there herself only the day before.

“If you’ll excuse us, we were just about to show Seph my chambers,” Kit managed, unable to draw Eli’s eyes up to meet hers.

“Yes, of course. It was lovely to see you, Lady Seph.” She smiled and nodded at him, but Kit could tell she wasn’t as big a fool as her mother had made her out to be, and the girl was putting it altogether. “Lady Avinia, Lady Isla,” Eli continued politely before he finally looked her in the face. “Princess.”

She caught herself about to call him Commander, which would’ve negated everything she’d just said, “Eli,” she said in a tone that would let him know she wasn’t quite past what she’d discovered the day before, but there was a crack in her facade.

Kit headed off in the direction of her chambers, the rest of the entourage following along. She kept her head up, her shoulders square, and did not turn around, as much as she wanted to. Isla did, however, on her behalf, and once they ducked into the antechamber, her cousin leaned in closely and said, “He was watching you,” pulled back, and winked.

She raised an eyebrow at her cousin but said nothing, trying to pretend she didn’t care. Isla knew her too well. “This is my permanent chambers, where I sleep most nights, unless of course I am entertaining a Representative.” It seemed like the most polite way to put it, though by Yewforian law, it would’ve actually been the Representative who was considered to be doing the entertaining. “We can show you that room later. It’s just down the hall.”

“This is lovely,” Seph said, taking in both the antechamber and then following Kit into her room before answering.

“Your main duty will be to lay out the princess’s gown, jewels, and shoes,” Avinia explained, showing her where all of those items were kept. “We generally decide in the morning what she will wear if there is an event. Tonight, there is a play in the theater, so she’ll be wearing this lavender gown and these slippers.” She gestured to both.

“And we’ve chosen these pieces of jewelry.” Isla’s hands spread apart in front of the dresser where the necklace and earrings were laid out.

“The play begins at seven, but it will take her nearly a half hour to get there, and with all of that hair, it is important that we begin getting her dressed at five.” Avinia was doing such a fabulous job of explaining everything, Kit took a seat in her chair by the window.

“Since we will also be attending this evening’s festivities, we need to be already dressed and ready to walk out the door before we begin to prepare the princess.” Isla offered a small smile.

“Sometimes we help each other by pinning one another’s hair up, but it’s entirely up to you as to whether or not you’d like help. We will show you your room in a moment. It’s right next to ours.” Avinia glanced around the room as if she were trying to decide what to tell the new lady next.

“And where are the Representative’s rooms?” Seph asked. The tone seemed innocent enough, but Kit sat up straighter, a questioning look on her face. “I thought perhaps it would be nice to know from which direction to expect them.”

It seemed ridiculous to Kit, but Isla answered her just the same. “They’re down the hall and around the corner.”

“And the guardsmen take up this wing down here, to the right,” Avinia told her. “Just in case you ever need help.”

“For what?” Kit asked, amused, as Isla handed her a glass of water. “I always have at least two outside of my door.”

“I haven’t any idea why she might need them, but they’re there just the same,” Avinia shrugged. She went on to explain where the library, kitchen, and dining hall were in relation to their current room, but Kit tuned her out, glancing out the window. It was lovely to see the sun up again. Her mind drifted back to how she’d awoken in Reeve’s arms. How she wished she’d be waking up there again in the morning instead of with Pierce. Perhaps he would surprise her.

“Princess Katrinetta, we are going to take her down the hallway, if you don’t mind,” Avinia was saying. It took Kit a moment to register that she was speaking to her.

She started to nod yes, but then, a question popped out of her mouth instead. “How well, exactly, do you know the... Eli. How well do you know him?” She’d almost called him the commander again. She was certain she wouldn’t be able to keep up with her exaggeration from earlier much longer.

Seph’s face turned a rosy color, particularly around her cheeks. “I met him about five years ago,” she replied. “He was serving in the army. My mother knew his mother... before.”

“Before she lost her title?” Kit clarified.

“Yes.”

“I see. But I didn’t ask you how long you’ve known him. I asked you how well you know him.”

Seph cleared her throat, her entire face deepening in color. “I know him... quite well.”

Kit took a deep breath in through her nose and looked away.

“We shall be back directly,” Avinia said, but Kit didn’t hear her; her mind was already stirring. Once the girls were out of the room, she stood and walked to the balcony, resting her elbows on the sill. Leave it to her mother to pull something like this....