human. A tall, lithe, birdlike spirit, with a sharp nose and pale, round eyes.
The woman wears a black silk top with straps made from delicate silver chains. While it’s significantly warmer here than it was in Kerost, there’s still enough of a bite to the air that she wears an onyx cape inlaid with a silver emblem I recognize as a zolo leaf—Curmana’s most popular medicinal herb, used in almost every remedy across every island. At once I know this is no spirit, but the Baroness of Curmana, Lady Ilia.
I glance to her belly, still swollen from her recent pregnancy, and notice the deep shadows beneath her eyes that come from having a newborn. Though I’d seen Ilia in passing during Father’s reign, we’ve hardly shared words with each other. Her brother had stood in Ilia’s place during our recent advisory meeting on Arida because she’d only just given birth.
Ilia straightens, a smile plastered tight to her lips. Unfortunately, that smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I hope the sea offered you a kind journey?” she asks by way of friendly conversation. I’m quick to oblige, fully used to this polite charade.
“It did, thank you. I’m glad to finally be here, Lady Ilia. Though I hope you know you didn’t have to come see me yourself. I would have understood if you were busy with your newborn.”
Her pale pink lips pucker. “Just Ilia is fine, thank you. And it’s no bother, Your Majesty. I may be a mother now, but I am still this island’s adviser; there are duties to uphold. My wife, Nelly, is watching our child, so don’t worry yourself. It’s such a pleasure to have you here on Curmana, and to finally have the opportunity to show you our island.” Even her voice is a frigid breeze. Her sharp face remains expressionless, not entirely matching her words.
The rest of the crew is quiet behind me, but from the corner of my eye I catch the uncertainty in Ferrick’s expression and know I’m not the only one Ilia is making anxious. Her beauty is ethereal, but that only makes her more terrifying. She leads me across the flat white sand, so dense that my boots hardly sink into it. “I’ll show you to your room, where you can clean up for the party tonight. You’ll be meeting—”
“There’s a party tonight?” I hate the spark of joy that flares within me, wanting to stomp it out. I’m here on a mission, not to slip into a dress and dance the night away. And yet I can’t stop the buzz of excitement that prickles my skin, wanting desperately for the distraction.
Not to mention that a party means there will be crowds. And in that crowd, perhaps Ornell will be waiting.
“Some might call it the best party Visidia has ever seen!” It’s a new voice that speaks, one far less shrewd and much more boisterous. Another woman is barreling excitedly down the shore, beautiful honey-blond ringlets billowing behind her. Her eyes are a bright and familiar green—a shade I’ve seen before but can’t for the life of me place—and her smile is warm enough to melt the iceberg that’s Ilia.
“Nelly,” Ilia begins, though her voice is warmer. “You’re supposed to be watching the baby.”
“Oh relax, Elias is watching him for a few minutes. I wanted to meet the queen!” Nelly leans over to press a quick kiss to Ilia’s cheek, and though the adviser’s brows furrow, she ultimately relents to sighing.
“I’m the one who planned the party.” Nelly doesn’t wait for me to extend my hand before she takes it and gives two firm, quick shakes. “We had to make a few changes given the short notice, but I promise you’re going to love it. We’ve got the best catering Curmana has to offer; imagine cakes and wine imported from Ikae, more desserts than you’ve ever seen in your life, fresh fish with mango slices…”
The more she lists, the more intrigued Casem becomes, taking a long step forward to listen more intently.
“Your Majesty,” Ilia gently interrupts only when I can’t imagine what food will possibly be left in Visidia after this party, “let me introduce you to my wife, Nelly. She came here from Suntosu, and works as a resident healer for the island.”
Nelly’s peachy-pink cheeks flush. “Apologies, Your Majesty. I’ve just been so excited for your visit. We know how important it is for you to find Visidia’s next king; I want to make sure our part in that goes