King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde #1)(54)

“J-jasmine,” she answered. “Lady Ana Maria said it would relax you. I’m sorry. I should have asked—”

“No, it’s…fine.”

I had only asked because the smell was familiar, and yet I could not pinpoint why. I watched as Violeta finished adding the drops and then reached for a cloth.

“If you’d like, I can scrub your back and your hair.”

I let her, and when I was finished, I stood from the bath, happy to feel clean. I toweled off, and Violeta helped me into a silk robe. I expected her to ask me to sit by the fire while she brushed my hair to help it dry, but instead, she waited by the vanity—an ornate piece of gold furniture with an oval mirror.

Violeta did not seem overly concerned that my hair would be wet for the feast. She brushed it, leaving it slick to my head, and when she was finished, she asked, “What would you like to wear tonight?”

She walked across the room to a wardrobe and threw open the doors to reveal a set of gorgeous dresses. I rose slowly and approached, reaching to touch one of the plush skirts.

“Who did these belong to?” I asked.

“King Adrian had them commissioned ahead of your arrival,” she explained.

That felt strange. Still, I could not deny that I was pleased.

“They’re all so beautiful,” I said.

“Shall I choose for you?” Violeta offered. I looked at her, and she hesitated. “If, that is, you are having a hard time choosing.”

I smiled at her. “Of course.”

She grinned and then reached for a red gown, clearly having already decided what I should wear. There were so many layers to the skirt, it took some time to get it over my head, and the laces at the back of the bodice had me regretting letting her pick, until I turned to face the mirror.

The gown was beautiful, and it accentuated every lush curve of my body—from the neckline that cut low between my breasts to the skirt that flared at my hips and dusted the floor. The long sleeves, though lace, still allowed me to holster my knives, which was a comfort to me. Despite not having any trouble with Adrian’s army on the way to Revekka, I did not trust the castle at large—and neither did Adrian, or he wouldn’t have warned me not to leave my room alone.

“Your jewelry, Your Majesty,” Violeta said. She approached with a wooden box lined with red velvet. Inside was a pair of dangling gold and ruby earrings and a matching necklace. They were far more extravagant than anything I’d ever owned, even being princess of Lara. I tried to ignore the fact that once they were on, they reminded me of blood. Still, staring at myself in the mirror, I hardly recognize the woman I’d been a week ago.

A knock at the door announced Ana Maria’s return. She had changed and was now wearing a black gown with a halter neckline that made her hair look like a glowing halo. Her skirt was full, crafted from layers of tulle, and it swept the floor as she moved.

“Oh, my queen, you look beautiful.”

“Thank you, Ana Maria,” I said.

“Just Ana,” she said and held out a small box. “I brought you something. A gift from Adrian.”

My brows lowered as I took it. “Can he not give it to me himself?”

“I think, perhaps, he wants to be surprised when he looks upon you tonight.”

It was ironic considering how he had visited me on our wedding day. Still, that was better than my reasoning. I had thought he was avoiding me after our earlier conversation. Except that since I’d met the Blood King, he’d rarely avoided confronting me about anything.

Inside the box was a tiara. It was stunning and, while simple in appearance, heavily embellished with diamonds on each fringe.

“Do you like it?” Ana asked.

“Of course,” I said, and as I placed it upon my head, I felt that it belonged there.

“Adrian will not look away,” said Ana.

“I suppose that depends on whether or not his favorite vassal is there,” I said. I imagined Safira would be present despite the fact that I’d asked Adrian not to drink from her.

Ana gave me an odd look.

“You do not know Adrian very well,” she said.

“You are right. I don’t.”

Ana frowned, and for the first time since I met her, I considered that perhaps she had expected me to be happy about this marriage.

“Are you ready?” she asked. “I shall escort you to the great hall.”

I supposed I was as ready as I would ever be, though I hated how my stomach roiled. I did not want to fear my enemy, and yet, I could not help feeling apprehensive. This was different from my wedding, different even from the small army I’d traveled to Revekka with. I was about to be surrounded by Adrian’s entire kingdom.

I was a sparrow in a den of wolves.

We left my new suite. Violeta stayed behind with instructions not to tend to the fire. I hoped by the time I returned to my room tonight, it would be nothing more than burning embers like Adrian had promised.

Unlike Castle Fiora, the hallways of the Red Palace were warmer and wider, which meant that Ana and I could walk side by side comfortably. Now that I felt better, I could appreciate the decor of the castle—black sconces dripping with crystals, tipped with tapered candles, large landscapes framed in thick, gold frames, and lavish, woven carpets. I wondered how much of it Adrian had changed since he had killed Dragos.