Chapter 551

Eyeing the golden material of Nera's dress critically, Elain tilted her head and then glanced at Tisia.

"It's nicer than what Vassa was wearing." Tisia replied drily.

"True." Elain replied, remembering how well the mortal Queen had dressed herself up since her arrival in the Day Court. Whatever message Vassa had hoped to be sending had probably gotten to the desired audience, and Elain wondered, if they dressed Nera even more finely, what Vassa might have to say about the transformation. "I like it better than the blue." The last dress Nera had put on had looked quite pretty, but something about this golden material against the lovely dark hue of her skin was even lovelier.

"How long ago did Eris give you these gowns?" Tisia asked, and Nera bit her lip.

"A while…"

"And you've not worn them?"

"No…" Nera's eyes looked at the both of them in the mirror before which she stood. "I… I have never owned anything this fine. I don't think I've even seen anything this fine, except maybe in Lady Ashk's wardrobe when I was tidying."

"Well, that has certainly changed." Tisia smiled, but Nera bit her lip again.

"It feels… strange."

Watching Nera, Elain tried to read her face. "I understand…" Elain began gently, "how it feels to have to adjust to an entirely new life."

"Yes," Nera gave her a small smile, "I was told that you were Made in the Cauldron."

"I was." Elain nodded, "Made Fae and a Seer… I was not used to any of it. My body was different, let alone my life… I had been engaged to a mortal man, and that life could no longer be mine. I had to let it go before I could embrace my new life… I know that it is hard to adjust."

"I do not mourn my old life." Nera told her, "I just… find it hard to… sometimes… accept that this is real. I suppose a part of me fears that one day I will wake up and someone will tell me that I have to leave … leave Eris… leave it all, and go back to how it was before."

"You don't think he will cast you aside?" Tisia asked, frowning slightly.

"No." Nera shook her head. "I do not think he is false… but… comments like I heard yesterday sometimes remind me that there are those, quite a few of them, who would wish that I was cast aside, sent back…"

"They're jealous." Tisia said flatly, "Anyone who wants that for you envies you and your position. They wish that they stood on the arm of a High Lord, and some part of them thinks if you are out of the way, maybe they would stand a chance."

"They do not think that I am worthy of him."

Tisia shrugged, looking defiant. "So what?" she asked, "Is it their opinion that matters?"

"No…" Nera agreed and Elain smiled a little when Nera looked at herself in the mirror once more.

"Anyone would be foolish to try and harm you." Elain said, "Eris is not to be trifled with."

"As everybody knows." Tisia agreed, "His reputation reaches far and wide."

"It's not true." Nera said, "Not all of it."

"I would bet the part about what he would do to anyone who harmed someone he cares about would be true enough." Tisia said, taking a seat on a plush couch as she looked Nera over. "If that's the dress we are going with, we need to do something about the hair."

"I… have hair ornaments." Nera opened a drawer, "Though… I…" she turned to look at Elain and Tisia, "Would be appreciative of the assistance…"

"That," Elain said, moving forward, "is why we are here."