“I took them to meet your mother,” Joichan said. “She showed them the passageways and told them how to find you, and how to get out.”
“Them?”
I could have sworn Joichan blushed. “Yes, I... it seemed wise to let them go on without me.”
I smirked, but didn’t say anything.
Joichan continued, “Your news is distressing, but not unexpected, considering what Melandria told us earlier.”
“What should we do now?” I asked.
“Now, we get some sleep. We’ll be up early tomorrow. After all, we have a wedding to stop.”
Chapter Forty-One
IN THE CHILLY PREDAWN hours, we silently and quickly ate a cold breakfast as we prepared for the day ahead. I thought we were going to try to sneak back into the castle, to find Taryn and my mother. But instead, my friends produced various bits of finery to wear. They looked like they were ready for, well, a wedding celebration.
Rhyss struggled with the high collar of his shirt, trying to tease it into a comfortable position. “This is incredibly itchy.”
Farrah shook out the wrinkles from her full satin skirt. “I have no sympathy. Try wearing a corset.”
I stood in the middle of all the action, staring at my companions in bewilderment. “I thought... aren’t we going to try to find Taryn?”
“Of course we are,” Farrah said. She shoved something at me, a balled up bunch of pale green fabric. “You’d better hurry up and get changed, so we can get going.”
“Get changed?”
“Even though the wedding isn’t until this evening, there are pre-ceremony events planned for the entire day,” Farrah explained. “Everyone’s going to be headed to the castle grounds this morning. We’ll blend in better if we look like actual wedding guests.”
“But... how — ?”
“We did a little bit of ‘shopping’ in the castle before we came to rescue you.” She indicated the dress in my arms. “Although that is your mother’s. She said it doesn’t fit her anymore, but should suit you perfectly.” Farrah gave me an appraising look. “I suppose you need help dressing?”
I shook my head. “I’ve actually grown pretty adept at dressing myself. Surprising, I know. What kind of princess am I?”
Farrah laughed, but it sounded more determined than full of mirth. “One who’s going to get her kingdom back.”
I disappeared into the trees, making sure no one was around. I shook the dress out, admiring the lacework and embroidery on the bodice and skirt. It was definitely fancier than my current outfit, but the style seemed a bit old-fashioned. Certainly I had never seen my mother wear it.
I stepped into the dress, surprised at how well it fit. I laced the front tighter and ran my hands over the skirt, then gathered up my original dress.
Beyan, attired in a navy blue velvet jacket, saw me as I walked back into the camp. “You look absolutely fetching, milady.”
Was he being sincere or sarcastic? I smiled. Knowing him, it was a little of both. I held out my hand, and he took it and kissed it, bowing low.
“Look at that, Beyan’s finally learned to be a gentleman!” Rhyss teased.
Beyan straightened. “You wound my honor, sir. Therefore, I am forced to challenge you to a duel. Give me a moment.” He patted his pockets. “Now, where are those gloves?”
We all laughed. At that moment, Joichan stepped out of the trees, adjusting the sleeves on his golden brown jacket. It not only fit him well, it was very fitting; I couldn’t imagine him in anything but his dragon colors. My father finished fiddling with his suit coat and saw me. He stopped still, looking thunderstruck.
“Well? What do you think?” I asked, crossing over to him.
My father finally found his voice. “Oh, Jennica. For a minute there I thought... you look exactly like your mother did, all those years ago. She was wearing that dress when we first met.”
My throat suddenly constricted. I didn't know what to say. Even if we were successful and stopped Hendon, it didn’t necessarily mean there would be a happy ending for my parents.
My father nodded sadly as if he knew what I was thinking. He took a deep breath, visibly composing himself. In another moment he was himself again: Joichan, the proud dragon shapeshifter, incredibly wise and controlled. “Shall we?”
The five of us joined a group of nobles headed toward the castle. The sun had risen overhead in a cloudless sky, promising a beautiful day for a wedding. Although we had gotten up early, we hadn’t beaten the crowds into the castle grounds. There must have been a hundred or more people milling about: leaders of the neighboring kingdoms, their families, other heads of state, lesser visiting nobility, and their servants. Not to mention the Calian nobility, their servants, and the castle servants, tasked with attending all the visitors and preparing for the wedding.
I felt a little twinge of sadness. Although I did not want to marry Prince Anders, it was supposed to be my wedding day. Would I ever get to have a real Calian wedding someday? Or would this sham be the closest I would ever come to it?
A guard at the gate called out to the crowd, repeating the same instructions: “All weapons must be left with the castle guards! No exceptions! You will get your weapons back upon leaving the castle.”
We turned in our weapons to the guards manning the castle gates, Rhyss hesitating over his prized knife.
“You promise I’ll get it back?” He reluctantly handed it over to the waiting guard.
“Of course, sir.” The man eyed the old dagger with distaste. “It’s a very... fine weapon, sir. I can see why you want it back.”
Mollified by the compliment, Rhyss breezed into the courtyard. Farrah rolled her eyes at his retreating back as she gave her sword to the guard and hurried after Rhyss.
We walked along the grounds, taking everything in. The day had
