Page 31 of The Never List
“Up, up, up,” the woman barks, clapping her hands as she comes to my bedside. She’s striking in a simple pair of black pants and a gold top, her silver hair short and feathery above her ears. Her skin is smooth, barely a wrinkle in sight, but her eyes are aged like the kings’, which likely means she’s in the late stages of her life despite her slightly-over-fifty looks.
“It’s first light,” I groan but throw the blankets off of me anyway. She definitely doesn’t look like someone I should argue with.
She eyes me as I stand. “Goodness, child, did you sleepin your makeup?” She studies me with irritation. “This will take more time than we have.”
I hold up a finger as she brushes past me to strip the bedding and toss it in a pile across the room. “First off, it’s way too early to be barking at me. Second, who are you, and why are you worried about my makeup?”
She huffs and turns to face me. “It’s not early for a potential mate of the princes of Lumathyst,” she says. I can’t help but notice how she doesn’t refer to them as the Legends of Chaos and how she saysprinceswith an air of endearment. “You’re expected to meet with Kal and travel to the Ruby Aire in less than two hours.”
“That’s more than enough time to get ready.”
She pinches the bridge of her nose, sighing dramatically. “I’m charged with—”
“Who are you?” I cut her off, repeating the question she neglected to answer.
“Mirren,” she says, her lips tight as she draws her palms together. “The princes assigned me to you.”
I open my mouth to ask more, but a younger woman wearing a similar outfit walks in carrying a tray of food. She sets it on the table, dips her head to me and then Mirren, and hurries out. Distracted, I cross to the food and inhale deeply.
“Thank goddess,” I say as I scoop up the mug of steaming coffee. I take a piping hot gulp, relishing the burn all the way down.
Mirren gives another little huff, resting her hands on her hips as she watches me. “How do you take it?” she asks, nodding toward the mug in my hand.
“Any way I can get it,” I say automatically, then tense.An Ari from Cedar and Silk would be privileged enough to have cream and sugar and honey. I had coffee mixed with chocolate one time, but that was ages ago and only thanks to Erin’s thieving. “I like it any way it’s prepared,” I try to clarify, and Mirren nods.
“Well,” she says, “at least that part is easy.” She motions to the tray of food—eggs, salted meat, fruit, and bread. It’s enough that if I were at home, I’d ration it throughout the day or offer some to the nearest starving worker. “Eat quickly. I’ll draw your bath and be ready to wash your hair when you’re done.”
I nearly spit out the coffee. “Wash my hair?”
Mirren sighs again. “If you repeat everything I say in the form of a question, this is going to be a very taxing relationship.”
I smile behind my mug. The woman has fire in her blood, and I have to admit, I like it.
“Did you not have a handmaiden in Cedar and Silk?” she asks, eyes curious. I sit at the table and shovel a bite of eggs into my mouth instead of answering. “I know not all ladies from that city do,” she continues, and my shoulders relax a little.
“I never had need of one,” I say truthfully. Even if I had the wealth of the kings, I wouldn’t force someone to work at my beck and call. I’ve been fending for myself way too long for that.
“Hmm,” she murmurs. “You have one now. The princes have trusted me to care for your needs while you journey throughout their cities and when you return here. I intend to do as they say.”
I take a few more bites, then glance up at her whereshe still stands. “Are you hungry?” I ask, waving toward the chair opposite me at the little table tucked near the balcony doors. “You can sit. There’s plenty to share—”
Mirren laughs, shaking her head. “I ate before the sun rose,” she says, reeling in her laughter. “And we will not share meals.”
“You dislike me that much?” I ask. “You don’t even know me.”
“I don’t like or dislike you,” she says, deadpan. “It wouldn’t be acceptable to dine with a potential.”
“Sounds like a ridiculous social standard,” I say. I swallow the last bite I can manage while Mirren continues to gape at me like I’m a creature she’s never seen before. I push the half-eaten meal away and down the rest of the coffee before standing. “I can draw my own bath and wash my own hair,” I say.
“But I’m—”
“A true delight,” I cut her off as I head toward the bathing chamber. “But I have no need for you towashme.”
“Is there something Icando for you?” she asks, a strain in her voice that says my dismissal is making her wildly uncomfortable. I wonder if the princes will punish her for not forcing my hand.
“Yes,” I say, an idea springing to mind. “When I’m done, I have questions about the past Choosings. Will you answer them?”
She shifts on her feet, clasping her hands together. “I’ll answer what I can.”
