Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Thirty-Four: Radiant

"Thank you, Frida."

"I will have the kitchens start your dinner, your highness," Frida said before she and Lydia scurried out. Reaching up, I pulled the towel from the mirror, showing Tolme what a little makeup and true hair color could do for her look.

Tolme burst into tears, quickly grabbing a handkerchief, I dabbed at her eyes, so the light kohl applied wouldn't run.

"Sorry," Tolme whispered as she sniffed. "I just, I haven't felt this pretty in a long time."

"Up you get, your brother is picking you up at any moment," I said, tugging her arm. Tolme rose from her seat, and arm in arm, we left my room and strode towards the castle gates. The closer we got to the gates, the more tense Tolme got.

"Relax, Tolme," I murmured at her as the high-pitched giggles reached our ears. "This isn't all for naught, just be yourself."

We entered the drawing-room adjacent to the gates just as Yilba gave out a nasal bray. I looked at Tolme with a raised eyebrow.

"You get used to it," She whispered with a small smile.

"I'm sure," I said before we walked up to the group of women. Yilba's eyes fell on us and widened as they focused on Tolme.

"What have you done with your hair?" Yilba exclaimed, bring a hand up to her mouth. Tolme ran a light hand over her braid and smiled.

"I thought I could do with a change," She replied with a charming smile.

"Doesn't it just sparkle underneath the light?" I gushed, patting Tolme's hair. "Oh, I do find myself jealous of the sheen!"

With those words, the ladies started to gush over Tolme's natural hair color. Yilba, on the other hand, sat on the couch with a sour expression. I quietly walked over, so I stood next to her.

"She looks beautiful, doesn't she?" I asked in an eerily, calm voice. Yilba stiffened before looking up at me with burning eyes. I turned my head and looked her in the eye. "If you ever talk down to her again, you will find yourself choking on your speech."

AKA. I will cut your tongue out and feed it to you.

Yilba let out a gasp as my icy words and went utterly white while I smiled coldly at her.

"Are we clear?" I asked, pleasantly. Yilba nodded quickly. Smiling triumphantly, I looked up to see a dashing young man looking around the drawing-room. I glided over to Tolme and took her elbow. "Tolme, dear, I think your ride has arrived."

"Oh!" Tolme said, her head popping up to the doorway. Instantly her face went red, and she squeaked.

"Come now, dear," I said as I started dragging her over to the young man. We walked up to him.

"Excuse me, your highness, fair maiden," He said, bowing his head. "I have been sent to collect Miss Tolme, as her brother was unable to make it."

"Wonderful," I said brightly before turning to Tolme. "I believe this is the women you were looking for?"

His eyes went to Tolme, who blushed a deep red.

"Tolme!?!" He exclaimed in surprise. "I hardly recognized you!"

"Her highness convinced me to return it to its normal color." Tolme murmured as she ducked her head.

"For that, you have my eternal thanks," He said. "I have longed for the day I would see her fiery mane once more."

"You liked my hair?" Tolme whispered, a bewildered look crossing her face. "But I thought—"

"I hope you visit soon, Tolme," I announced. "I greatly enjoyed your company."

The man extended his arm to Tolme.

"My lady," Blushing, Tolme placed her arm on his, and the two walked out of the drawing-room. With a smile on my face, I watched as the two climbed into a carriage and disappeared. Maybe something good did come from this cursed tea party. Turning back around, I smiled at the ladies.

"Ladies, may I tempt you with one final cup of tea before you depart?"

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A week passed since the tea party, and I found that Yilba had taken my warning to heart. When I saw the two in the castle, Tolme didn't seem to be hiding in Yilba's shadow. Despite the happiness I felt from helping Tolme, I was slowly feeling claustrophobic and trapped.

The castle was a prison I could not yet escape from. I was slowly suffocating from the politics, hate, and cruelty that seemed to ooze from the very walls that supported the castle. I took to even more reading to try and drown out the misery.

"Is that all for tonight?" I glanced up at Frida, who stood at the edge of my bed with my dinner tray in hand. I nodded at her and smiled.

"Yes, I will see you in the morning, goodnight."

"Sleep well, your highness," Frida said before she disappeared through my bedroom door. I placed my quill back in its place before standing up and stretching my neck. It was late, but sleep didn't feel comforting at the moment.

I went to the small bookcase and pulled a book from the shelf. A bit of reading might put me in the mood for sleeping, that is if I could get this blasted suffocating feeling gone.

I did a little light reading until I was having a hard time concentrating. I was too tired to keep this up. I set the book on the nightstand and turned off the light orb. I wiggled underneath the covers and stared at the ceiling, how was I going to make the time pass this time?

Right then a loud crack of thunder went over the palace and made my room shudder. Rain. I slipped out of my bed and walked to the door to my balcony. Sheets of rain came down while thunder cracked and lightning flashed.

My hand went to the handle on the door, and I pushed the door open. Rain immediately started to pelt my body as I stepped out.