have no reason to know. Our calendars don’t exactly line up with the human calendar. You arrived here when it was January where you came from, and it’s been three fortnights. So for you, it’s not quite March yet. According to our calendar, for you it is only early spring, though we do not adhere to human months.”
“So I didn’t lose a whole bunch of weeks I don’t remember living?” Brea took a deep breath.
“No, of course not.” Neeve laughed. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to laugh. You are just quite funny sometimes.
“So I’ve been told.” Brea got back on her feet and crossed the room on shaky legs. Reaching for her teacup, Brea tried to pour hot water over the tea leaves.
“I’ll get that for you, my Lady.” Neeve swooped in and grabbed the cup from her hands.
“I can pour myself a cup of tea.” She felt like stomping her foot, but that was childish. She wasn’t above it, but she needed to keep her cool and remember Neeve was only trying to do her job.
“Please relax, you have a big night ahead of you.”
“And what is expected of the queen’s niece tonight?” She sighed. Not looking forward to this first of many formal events.
“You will sit in a place of honor with the queen, where you will meet the delegates from all the fae courts. Beltaine is a celebration of peace, love and fertility. A night where all our differences are set aside and new friendships are formed.”
“So, I just have to sit there and look like I belong? I think I can manage that. What do I have to wear?”
“You’re going to love it.” Neeve smiled, but then she probably remembered who she was talking to. “At least I think you will.” A frown marred her face. “Are you ready for the triplets? They’ll be assisting me tonight.”
“Must they?”
“I couldn’t manage to get you ready without help.”
“You know.” Brea sipped her tea. “In the human world, I managed to dress myself without any help at all. I even made my own breakfast.”
“This is different, Brea.” A note of annoyance crept into Neeve’s voice. “Your human clothes were simple. Your costume for tonight is—”
“Costume? You didn’t say anything about a costume.”
“Well, yes, it’s tradition on the night of Beltaine for the nobility to don costumes for the festival. Everyone will dress like flowers and creatures of the forest.”
“So it’s like a masked ball?”
“No masks tonight. Would you like to see your gown?”
“Call in the trio if you must.” Brea sighed. “Any chance someone has a stash of mood suppressers around here?”
“Is that like… a potion? Tonight won’t be that bad, Brea.”
“Not for me. For the three little maids on speed.”
Brea couldn’t walk. Her gown was too heavy. It had to weigh more than she did.
“I’ve heard people talk about suffering for fashion, but this is a new one.” Her knees nearly buckled.
“Just lean on me. If you fall down, at least we’ll go together.” Griff chuckled, tucking her arm around his. “If it helps, you look stunning. Like the first perfect white rose of spring.”
“Ooh that was cheesy.” Brea giggled behind her fan—an actual white lacy fan!
“Cheesy usually works for me.” He straightened his tie with an arrogant smirk.
“You know they built a crazy contraption under all this tulle, you wouldn’t believe it if I told you. I’ve got pillows stuffed around my hipbones to keep the dress foundation from stabbing me. The scaffolding under here weighs a ton and that’s before they decorated me like a cake with all these fresh roses. They actually made the roses grow around the dress.”
The ball gown was stunning on the dress form with its yards of white silk and the palest pink tulle, but when Brea finally got a chance to see herself in it, she thought she looked more like a marshmallow Peep.
“The triplets spent hours sewing beaded rosebuds all along the bodice and the hem. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I take it you are not pleased with the weight of the gown?” Griff escorted her down the grand staircase, gripping her carefully so she wouldn’t fall in her ridiculous heels.
“Ya think?”
“Maybe this will help.” Warmth from his hand running along her arm spread through her body, and his green eyes shimmered violet for a moment.
“Oh,” Brea almost toppled over as the massive weight of the dress lifted and she felt as light as air.
“It seems someone forgot to do that for you.”
“And you let me walk down