Free Awake by Riana Lucas Page B

trying to act nonchalant. “This is what friends do, anyway. They borrow each other’s clothes.”
    She beams at me now and snatches the dress as she practically runs into the washroom to change. When she comes out, I feel a bit of pride in picking such a wonderful match for her. She looks stunning. Nothing like the servant she likes to think of herself as. I push her in front of the mirror and mimic what she did with my hair. I brush out her long, thick waves, leaving them loose around her shoulders. It is much longer than I imagined, almost to her waist, which must be why it is always up. It looks like a wild fire around her shoulders, brightening her eyes with the hint of amber I have seen occasionally. They sparkle like the crystals on her dress. She finds a pair of silver shoes with gemstones on them and then takes one final look in the mirror.
    â€œThank you, Poppy,” she whispers as she looks at me through the mirror. I’m so happy to be spending this time with her, making such a good friend, but I also feel a stab of guilt over Reed and Rho and how they are missing out on sharing this fun moment with me. I wish they were here as well.
    I push the sad thoughts aside for now and hold my arm out to Willow. “Shall we?”
    She hooks her arm with mine, smiling brightly up at me. “Yes, we shall.”

Chapter Seven
    The dining hall at the seelie court is a typical fae dining hall. Music and laughter flow through the room, all of which can be heard even before entering the doors. Every flat surface stands covered in colorful, delicious foods that smell heavenly. Fae of different ages and social standings gather around, enjoying the food, dancing, and admiring the queen who sits in the very center of the room with some of her most loyal friends. She looks stunning, as always, the main focus of all of those around her.
    That is, until we enter the dining hall.
    Upon entering the dining hall, we became the center of attention. It appears to be the main dinner hour because the hall is filled to what must be beyond capacity. The music and laughter around us dim and all eyes train on us. The sudden, undivided attention is not something either of us is comfortable with. In fact, Willow and I both stumble over each other a few times while trying to find Gideon and Thorne. Heads turn, and whispers spread as we make our way through the crowd. Everyone knows who I am, but I only recognize a select few. I am at a disadvantage, which makes me uncomfortable and fidgety.
    We spot them sitting, of course, at the queen’s table. I had not noticed them initially, because the queen fills all lines of sight when she is in the room. She is outright magnificent. With her white-blonde hair flowing, her red dress emphasizing her pale skin, and her green eyes sparkling with laughter, she is a sight that would consume anyone’s attention.
    When we reach the queen’s table, some of the noise picks back up, but the people in our immediate surroundings still continue to stare and whisper. All of the male fae seated at the table rise upon our arrival, and Gideon and Thorne quickly move to pull our seats out for us. I wave Gideon away, pulling mine out myself. This is not a date, and I will not allow him to treat it as such. Willow graciously takes her seat as she allows Thorne to assist her. She looks like she knows what she is doing, and so I turn my attention back to the staring fae around me.
    â€œMay I help you?” I ask everyone and no one in particular. I refuse to eat my first meal out with people gawking at me while I do so. Raising one eyebrow in question, I make a point to make eye contact with as many fae as possible. Most bow their heads, returning to their own affairs; a select few remain mutinous as they continue to stare; but the whispers stop. I make a mental note to keep an eye on those few.
    When I turn back to my company, I notice that everyone is regarding at me with different