my voice even, I’m unable to stop my face.
Thankfully, this just makes the speaker laugh. “Yes, to celebrate your return, and with you, the return of Menishea.”
I glance over at Vaeril, desperately hoping he will say we can’t attend or give me an excuse, but his amused glance soon moves back to the wood elf as he dips his head in agreement. “We would be honoured to attend the meal, Speaker Hawthorn.”
The three wood elves titter around me, fluttering about like butterflies as they dress me for the evening. I insisted I could dress myself, but they assured me it was ceremonial. Reluctantly, I agreed, leaving Vaeril and Naril in the guest hut they had been given to stay in. I loved the buildings here. While the hut they were in was nothing like they were used to, it was still beautiful in its own way. It’s been weaved from branches and sits on the ground at the base of a large tree, yet the wood is still living, so leaves and wildflowers grow over it. Inside, all the furniture is made of wood and leaves, but it looks like the wood has been encouraged to grow into those shapes rather than cut or whittled.
The building I’m staying in is similar in the way that everything has been grown and is fully ingrained in the nature here. The main difference? This building is in the tree, like most of the buildings here. A spiral staircase twirls up around one of the large tree trunks and reaches a balcony that circles the entire circumference of the tree. The house is built partially on the platform, and the rest within the tree itself.
They’ve given me the entire house to myself while I stay here, and although it’s not as big as the rooms I have back in Galandell, I much prefer the natural, comfortable space over the opulence of the palace. It has a small living area with comfortable chairs and a table, with a small kitchen to the side. Off the main room is a bathroom and luxurious bedroom, complete with a private balcony.
“Your ears are just the cutest,” one of the elves comments. I think her name was Rose, but it’s all been a bit of a blur since they whisked me up here. She seems to be the one in charge of the little group. She is stunning with light green skin, almost pearlescent in the sunlight, and wispy pink hair that’s been pinned up with roses and other flowers decorating her head. The other two, Thorn and Masie, look much like their friend, but their hair colours are more natural. They agree with Rose as they hurry over to bring a large mirror for me to see myself in.
Standing, I can’t help but gasp when I see my reflection. I look like a fae. The makeup they’ve put on is subtle but emphasises all of my elvish features, making my cheekbones look sharp and accentuating the slight upturn of my eyes. My black hair has been brushed, and several braids have been put into it with tiny silver leaves weaved through. On my head is a crown of flowers, and two intricate, twisting silver cuffs have been put on the outside of my ears. At first, I thought it was to make them look pointed, more elvish, but seeing them now, they fully show off the curve of my human ears, embracing and enhancing them.
The dress is similar to the wrap type ones I would wear back in Galandell, but there is a lot more fabric, which trails behind me as I walk, from the cape-like train that flows from my shoulders and meets the silver cuffs at my wrist. The thing that stands out the most, however, is the colour. The dress is a deep, midnight blue with tiny silver flecks woven into the fabric. Although I’ve been dressed up before, this feels much more casual than any of the events I’ve previously attended.
“Wow,” I whisper as I stare at my reflection, which seems to be becoming a theme. Will I ever get used to wearing clothing like this, to looking like anything other than a slave? The elves murmur their agreement, hands reaching out to touch me. I’ve noticed they do that a lot. A casual hand on my shoulder here, a gentle brush as they move a piece of hair from my face, lightly reaching out and adjusting the skirt of my dress.
“You look beautiful,”