Shildreth put her hands on her hips. “It does belong to you, because the king told me that anything within the vault was yours.”
“I know, and I love him for it.” The word rolled off my tongue so easily, everything clicking back into place. Paris and I were united as we were meant to be. But it wasn’t so easy. I remembered my vows to Menelaus. Willingly given? No. But given all the same. I could not wed Paris, could not be the woman Shildreth wanted me to be, until Menelaus was slain.
“Just wear them for tonight, my lady?”
I looked at Shildreth’s eager eyes in the mirror and knew I couldn’t say no. “Fine.”
“Excellent. Shall we go?”
I stood and put out my arm for Shildreth.
She took it with a grateful smile. “Thank you, my lady.”
We made our way to the great hall, a large swell of voices already rising inside.
“Have you and Faren come to a decision about Desmerada?”
Shildreth stumbled, but I held her steady.
“We have not. Faren has left it up to me, and I feel I cannot make the decision until I look her in the eye.”
“Just know that Paris and I will be there, right alongside you the whole time.”
“I know, my lady. Thank you.”
We arrived at the oaken doors leading to the great hall from the royal chambers.
I took a deep breath, not sure if I was ready to greet Paris’s subjects. Shildreth was less wary and motioned for the guards to open the doors.
“Wait!” a woman called, her voice a high, melodic sound. I knew that voice. A scuffle sounded through an antechamber door. Hissing and the frightened yells of vampire soldiers raised a clatter.
“Let her through!” I banged on the door. “Open up!”
“But, my lady, it’s not only her,” a guard said through the wood.
“I don’t care. Open the door this instant.”
The guards did as I commanded, and I gasped. Just as I suspected, Arachne stood beyond the door. But she was changed. No longer did she have the body of a spider or the rows of deadly teeth. Her hair shone mahogany and framed her face. She was a beautiful maiden once again. The only marker that remained was her eyes of shiny black obsidian. She was dressed in a gown of deep emerald. Two spiders escorted her, hissing at the guards.
I left Shildreth and hugged Arachne. The maiden froze before tentatively returning the embrace, and the guards were at a total loss.
“It’s fine. She’s with me.” I shooed them back to their posts.
“And them?” a guard said and pointed to the spiders.
“They’re with me too.”
Arachne smiled, her teeth gleaming white and even. No more needles, thank the gods. “They’ll behave, I promise.”
I gave her one more look, letting my amazement shine on the transformed beauty that stood before me. “I have no doubts. Shildreth, please allow me to introduce you to Arachne, Lady of the Darkwood.”
Shildreth bowed. “My very great pleasure.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” Arachne drew a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed at her eyes. I kept my tears of joy at bay, barely, but sent up a silent thanks to Apollo.
Arachne took my hands. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“There’s no need. I’m just glad that Apollo was able to help.” He had done me a good turn, and I would not soon forget it.
Arachne smiled and studied her feet as her cheeks pinked. “He certainly did.”
“I want all the sexy details from you later, but for now, we’ve got an audience to attend.” I retook Shildreth’s arm and offered my other to Arachne, who accepted it and once again beamed that heart-stopping smile.
Together, the three of us entered the hall with the two spiders following close behind.
A hush fell, voices quieting to murmurs. The room was full of vampires, though not quite the crush that Desmerada had the previous night. These vampires seemed different, friendly, though perhaps it was my imagination. They stared at me, no doubt wondering what a non-vampire was doing in royal dress. The men bowed as I passed, and the women curtsied. So many eyes on me. I wondered if I was leaning on Shildreth and Arachne more than the other way around.
A few of the nobles backed away and stumbled into each other when they saw the spiders marching along behind us. The spiders hissed and clicked their teeth at the commotion but didn’t break ranks. Arachne had trained them well.
In the center of the room, in a stroke of turnabout, Desmerada stood trapped in the silver cage on the platform. She was bound and gagged. Not a good look. And beyond her, at the head table, sat Paris, resplendent in his robes of gorgeous blue. A simple golden crown adorned his head. Magnificent.
Faren was dressed in blue-and-gold finery, though somewhat subdued. His dark hair graced his forehead, and his clean-shaven face was handsome, bright. He was sitting at Paris’s right, conversing, but when he looked up and saw Shildreth, he stopped midsentence. Paris, in perfect mimicry, froze as he gazed at me. Heat rushed into my cheeks at the way his eyes ate me up. He left no curve unseen, no inch of fabric or jewel free from his consuming scrutiny. He looked hungry, and I could feel myself burning just knowing that hunger was for me.