“That tickles.”
Jumping up, the kitten hopped off her lap and scampered toward the flower garden.
“Where are you going?” she called after it.
Looking over its shoulder at her, the kitten replied in a feminine voice, “I think she's waking up.”
“What? What do you mean? Who's waking up?” Josselyn looked around the garden, but they were alone. She looked back at the kitten, who had made its way into the flower bed. It spoke again, its voice altering slightly.
“Take this, Alex. She's going to be thirsty.”
That had Josselyn sitting up straighter, as something pricked at the back of her mind. “Alex”, she whispered, watching as the kitten made its way back to her, the stem of a flower clutched in its mouth. Dropping the flower onto her lap, the kitten butted its head against her chest and disappeared. Josselyn picked up the flower, twirling it in her fingers thoughtfully.
“A lily.”
“Princess... Your Highness... can you hear me?”
As the voices grew clearer, the garden faded away, and Josselyn found herself looking up at Alex, relief spilling across his face as their eyes met.
“Good morning, Your Highness. How are you feeling?”
Heat spread across her cheeks as she realized she was laying in his lap, and she hurried to sit up,a low groan escaping as pain radiated through her body.
“I've been better.”
She rubbed a hand over her face, then froze. Four pairs of eyes stared back at her, watching her with open curiosity. Three of them were undeniably related, with their dark hair and similar features, while the younger of the four stood in stark contrast, with her bright, blue eyes and alabaster skin. She was so slight of figure, Josselyn worried that the gentlest of breezes might blow her away, like the seeds of a dandelion fluff.
“What the - who are all of you?” She looked around, realizing they were in the back of a moving wagon. “And where are you taking us?”
The one with the wavy, black hair spoke up first. “My name is Dahlia Delaney, and these are my sisters, Violet, Rosemary, and Lily.” She gestured toward the front of the wagon. “Our father, Hiram Delaney, is up front.”
“They've agreed to take us to Tallis,” Alex added, watching her with concern. “You've been unconscious for quite some time, Your Highness. Are you sure you're all right?”
She managed a weak smile. “As well as can be expected, given the circumstances. Thirsty as all get out, but otherwise unharmed.”
“Ah, right, here.” Alex thrust a cup of water into her hands. “Don't drink too quickly.”
She accepted the drink and took a small sip, smiling her thanks.
“Now that you're awake, we can start working on your disguise.” Dahlia tapped her finger against her chin, looking Josselyn over. “My paints, please, Vi.”
Violet set her book aside and began rummaging through the small chest she'd been leaning against. After a moment, she pulled out several small pots, a brush, and a square cloth.
“Got em!”
Dahlia arranged the pots on the floor before dipping the brush into one of them and looking up at Josselyn expectantly. “I'm going to need you to hold still while I paint your face.”
Josselyn pulled her face back, eyeing the brush as if it were a poisonous snake. “I'm sorry, what?”
The blonde girl, Lily, grinned. “Dahlia's brilliant with paints. You'll see.”
Dahlia gave her a reassuring smile. “Don't worry, Princess, it'll wash off. For now, however, it'd be best if you didn't look quite so much like yourself.”
“Okay.” Josselyn inhaled, trying to relax as Dahlia leaned in, the brush poised in front of her face. “And who exactly are you planning to make me look like, instead?”
“Hmm,” Dahlia murmured, already focusing on her deft stokes as she ran the brush over Josselyn's smooth skin. “I was thinking someone older.”
“Oooh, she could be our sweet, old grandmama,” Rosemary chimed in, her face lighting up as she started looking through another chest, fabric spilling out around her as she dug inside. She sat back, holding up a black shawl and a dowdy looking brown dress. “These should do. A touch large, perhaps, but that'll only add to the overall effect.”
“What about Alex?” Lily asked, giving him a once over. “He can hardly stay looking as he does now, shirtless with a freshly, bandaged shoulder. We should lend him some of Papa's clothes, at least.”
“Aw, but I like the way he looks now,” Rosemary pouted, throwing him a coy look from beneath her lashes. “He's positively scrumptious.”
Josselyn glared at the flirtatious woman.
“He's a royal guard, not dessert,” she snapped, causing everyone in the wagon to look at her in surprise. She blushed as she met Alex's wide eyes, and quickly averted her gaze. “He'll stand out too much the way he is now. That's all.”
Dahlia gave her a knowing look, but refrained from commenting as she continued painting Josselyn's face. Once she'd finished, she took white powder and worked it through Josselyn's hair. Sitting back with a noise of satisfaction, she admired her handiwork.
“What do you think, ladies? Will she pass for an old lady?”
The others chorused their approval, and Rosemary handed Josselyn the dress and shawl. “We'll hold up some blankets so you can have a little privacy while you change.” She looked at Alex with mock sternness. “No peeking, now, Mr. Royal Guard.”
Violet and Rosemary stood and held up a large blanket, sectioning Alex off into the corner. Josselyn thanked them and pulled the remains of her ruined ballgown over her head. She reached for the dress, but paused when she saw them all staring at the marks on her arm in astonishment. “It's just a birthmark,” she explained, then shrugged. “I've always rather liked it.”
The sisters exchanged a look but remained silent. Lily reached her hand out, pausing just before her fingers touched skin. “May I?” She asked in an almost reverent voice.
Josselyn nodded. “Be my guest.”
The girl slowly traced the long, black claw marks with her finger. “They're beautiful.”
Josselyn pulled the brown dress
