Torrent of Tears (Scourge Survivor Series Book 3)(62)

My entourage exploded into another fit of giggles as they headed for the door. Even Elani and Stitch chuckled.

“The jewelling is for the pleasure of your Noble,” Elani said, closing the door behind the troop. “It’s tradition.”

That gave me an idea. Shuffling to where I’d dropped my clothes, I retrieved my vest and removed the small spy camera disguised as a rhinestone from the front snap. A little dab of the giggle twins’ gluey-goo and it blended in with my decorated forehead and became my third eye.

The size of a postage stamp and almost as thin, I removed the control pad from where it remained hidden in the lining of my vest pocket. I turned it on and tucked it in my bra. “If anything happens to me, make sure this gets to my family in the other realm. They’ll finish what I started and make things right here, I swear.”

Elani retrieved a fabric garment bag from the back of my closet door. “Come. Let us dress you.”

Happy to be offered something to wear, I tested the stick of the gems as Stitch and Elani helped me into my outfit for the evening. No need to worry. Those sparkling little stones weren’t going anywhere.

Awed, I straightened in front of the mirror wearing Stitch’s masterpiece.

“It’s wonderful,” I breathed. Regardless of the growing dread that the Queen would hurt Coal if I didn’t marry Lir-douche-bag, and crazy about what she might be doing with Rowan in her consort quarters, the outfit was perfect.

Sleek gold slacks with Stiletto boots might seem understated for a wedding, but with the violet, backless top that dropped into a full-length train it was more than elegant. I ran my fingers up the crushed velvet halter to where the delicate ivory and gold lacework bib clasped around my neck, just below my mourning band.

Elani slid the dangling, gold leaf earrings in place and all I could do was stare.

“Your sisters chose traditional gowns,” Stitch said, “but I thought you’d appreciate something more functional. I gave you as much mobility as I could and incorporated hidden pockets in the underside of your skirt to hold your weapons. I would have put some in place, but the Strati are screening everyone entering the Palace. I’m sorry.”

My ache from having no knives swelled. And the fact that Stitch had recognized that had tears rising in my eyes. “It’s perfect. Thank you. I appreciate the thought.”

He bowed. “From the one with forethought and prudence, a leader shall rise.”

That must be an Attalosean proverb or something. I stepped back to the full-length mirror and it dawned on me. “What’s your true name? It’s not really Stitch, is it?”

He shook his head. “My given name is Bay. My matris is of water and my patris is of earth. Bay, fits both.”

Something occurred to me. “Elani, why is your brother named Rowan if your parents were both of water and your grandmother was of fire? Rowan is a tree.”

“Patris had a childhood friend who was like a blooded brother. When Rowan was born his friend became an Abbatis priest at the Fae Trinity Temple and forfeited his given identity. Patris said that since his friend no longer needed the name, it would put it to good use.”

“Rowan is a good name,” Stitch . . . no, Bay said. “It is strong and vital and a man’s name must reflect his identity in the community.”

I felt the presence of someone entering the room and turned. “In that case,” Zale said, “he should have been named Pornos, because that’s all he is and will ever be.”

I squeezed Elani’s wrist and considered the benefits of strangling Zale. He strutted into my suite as if he owned the place, primped, polished and preened to near perfection. He really was an Adonis until he opened his pie-hole and the spell was broken.

“Would the two of you excuse us?” I asked. “My fiancé and I need a moment.”

Elani glanced to the mantle clock and back to me. Time marched on.

“I’m sure Zale can escort me to the reception,” I said, gesturing to the door. “Go back to your suite in case anyone is looking for you. Bay, thank you. This outfit is spectacular. No one could have gotten me and my tastes better.”

Bay dropped his gaze and bowed. “You honor me, Princess.”

When Zale and I were alone, his smile spread until it lit a malicious gleam in his eyes. “Well, well. Don’t you look the part of the blushing bride. New clothes, new hair and thanks to your mother’s forethought in giving you my little slave boy, a new attitude.”

He pressed a finger over his lips and looked me up and down. “Submissive is far more becoming than the slumsnipe bitch you’ve been thus far.”

“Oh, I assure you, it’s just the hair and makeup.”

“Well, with you on your best behavior, and me—well, simply being me—all eyes will fall to the two of us.”

“I’m sure we’ll be the talk of the ball.” I snorted. It was taking all my strength of will to play coy with this asshole, but for my boys, I needed to be in control. “What about Freya Love? You mean the three of us, don’t you?”

Zale rubbed his fingers over his mouth, covering a smirk. “This will be interesting. And since, the consummation of Noble marriages must be witnessed, the council is already abuzz. They pretend to be enlightened, but down deep they’re just as perverse as the common.”

“Witnessed?” Oh, this was getting better and better. “As in . . . a threesome peepshow?” When his smirk widened, my stomach flipped. I needed to find Coal and get my boy somewhere safe. “Voyeurism isn’t my thing.”