But I decide to humor my attendant, dropping the curtain as she goes back to placing honeysuckle flowers in my half-updo.
The wedding traditions here are similar to the human realm, but some of them are just slightly off. It’s almost like someone played a game of telephone, and certain details got lost in translation.
As Isla concentrates on getting every strand of hair on my head just right, I study her youthful face. Her porcelain skin is framed by long blond hair, and she’s so serious. I wonder if she was like that before the Day Realm clusterfuck, or if she’s been irrevocably changed because of it.
During the council meeting we had about the victims the day after their return, I’d suggested everyone get two special requests. One for justice and one for personal gain.
I quickly learned fae justice is very different than where I come from.
Not pulling any punches, Isla had asked that her rapist be publicly executed—beheaded, not spiked, which was a mercy on her part. Wish granted. And she wasn’t the only one who chose that fate for her attacker. Many of the men who bought the females didn’t waste any time trying to impregnate them. They had to be punished.
Although I was happy those bastards got what they deserved and the women got closure, I stayed inside on that bloody day. I just can’t stomach such gory scenes.
Isla’s second request was to be given a high position in the castle, and Kirian suggested a personal companion for me. At fifteen, she’s old enough to be hired by the palace. I’ll admit I was skeptical in the beginning. I wasn’t sure if she’d stare at my freckles or judge me for not having pointy ears. But she’s been nothing but respectful, and now I honestly don’t know how I could go a day without her assistance. She knows I hate dresses with corsets, how I like my tea, and all my favorite foods. Although we have cultural differences, I’ve been enjoying her company.
“It’s just so pretty out there,” I say, turning so she can stick one more pin in the braids at the back of my head. “It’s hard not to look.”
“Believe me, I want to peek, too. Dawn and Dusk is beyond my wildest imagination. But we have three more minutes, so we’ll just have to wait. Sorry, Queen Quinn.”
“Just Quinn,” I remind her.
I can’t get used to people calling me Queen. I still think the title plus my name sounds ridiculous. Maybe someday it won’t bother me, but for now, I prefer something less formal.
“One last thing.” Isla’s yellow eyes glitter with excitement as she wiggles her fingers in the air.
A small box lifts from a stool in our canvas tent. I gawk as it floats over to us. Seriously, I’m not sure when I’ll stop being shocked by her power to move objects.
It lands gently in my hands. When I open the wooden lid, I gasp when I see the necklace nestled on a bed of dark-blue velvet. “My marble.”
Golden prongs hold onto the sphere, and it dangles from a shiny chain. I pick it up, pressing the smooth glass to my palm. I roll it back and forth against my skin and smile.
Grinning, Isla claps her hands. “Surprise! It was my idea. King Kirian has one, too. You match. Isn’t that great? These will be your objects of commitment.”
Kirian had explained to me that we wouldn’t exchange rings. Instead, we’d have something more meaningful. Something totally personal to us.
“Thank you,” I breathe out, touched. “I couldn’t have thought of anything better than this.”
My compliment makes Isla do a happy jig, and I’m glad to see her smiling. Maybe we’re good for each other. She’s told me before that I give her motivation to keep going, and I admire her determination to move on. If I’d gone through what she did, I’m not sure I’d be able to bounce back so quickly.
She’s resilient, creative, and oh my God.
I think I have a friend. A real, female friend, close to my age.
When I jump forward to hug her, she squeaks with surprise, but it only takes her a second to return the embrace.
I never thought I’d be the kind of person who cries on my wedding day, but I sniffle as my nose begins to sting.
A barrage of emotions suddenly hit me. I’m incredibly happy. I have the love of my life, all the luxury I could ask for, and people who are becoming important to me.
But I’m also a little sad. This is such a big moment, and my parents aren’t here to witness it. It’s only been a month since the spaghetti and meatball dinner, and I already miss them so much.
“There, there.” Isla pats my back. As if she can read my mind, she adds, “We all think of you as part of us. You belong here. Your kingdom is your family.”
The neck prickle happens, and I can feel the truth to her words.
Turns out, I really do have a power and it’s extremely useful.
I’m a living lie-detector test.
Kirian’s had me sit in on several interrogations already. Instead of torturing the truth out of someone, he looks to me. I can just give a nod or a shake of my head, and he decides what to do from there.
People have been calling me the Queen of Honesty, and I gotta say—I kinda like the nickname.
In the distance, a harp and a flute begin playing music, signaling the start of the ceremony.
I pull away from Isla as I wipe the wetness from under my eyes. I’m not wearing much makeup, but I don’t want to ruin the little I have on.
“One last check. Everything has to be perfect.” Isla flits around me, smoothing the white silk of my gown and fluffing the short train. She makes sure the pearl buttons in the back are secured, she runs her
