Free Veiled Innocence (Book One, The Soul Cycle) by Krystle Jones Page A

emerged a few minutes later in her bath robe. One look around her bedroom told her Drenna was gone; only Ursa, who was flitting about lighting candles, remained. Ursa grinned when she saw her. She set down the candle she had just lit, walked over to the bed, and held up a dress with so much beadwork that Lian was convinced the sheer weight of it would give her back problems.
    She waved it away. “You know I won’t wear something like th at to a ball, let alone to the Market. T he hem would be caked in mud within minutes.”
    Ursa reluctantly agreed and tucked the dress away. She selected a few more options, each simpler than the one preceding it, until Lian finally chose a plain dress of flowing cream-colored fabric with a modest neckline and gold trim. She wished her wardrobe was more colorful at times. But she knew she was far luckier than most, seeing as she actually had decent clothes, and so she tried not to want for things she could perfectly well do without.
    Ursa helped her into her undergarments before holding the dress open so she could step into i t. The sleeves were a bit tight but would soon stretch out the longer she wore it. After she was in the dress, Ursa laced up the back and found some soft slippers. “How’s your arm?” she asked, set ting the slippers on the floor before her. “I hope I didn’t jostle it around too much. I confess I’d completely forgotten about it.” A light blush crept into her plump cheeks. 
    “Oh. It’s, uh, much better. And no, you didn’t jostle it,” Lian added hastily. The thought crossed her mind to tell Ursa it was healed , but she decided to keep that information pressed tightly behind her closed lips. She couldn’t begin to understand her miraculous recovery, let alone try to explain it to Ursa.
    As Ursa fussed over her hair, they made small talk, and Ursa filled her in on the latest gossip while Lian pretended to be listening. Gossip made her more uncomfortable than parading around in a ball gown. There was something that made her feel undeniably guilty and irritated about finding enjoymen t in the misfortunes of others. There never seemed to be any good gossip; everything Ursa told her had a melancholy tone to it. Either that or maybe she was turned off from it since she always seemed to be a hot topic for gossip. She could not recall the last time she hadn’t heard her name whispered in the halls or at dinner parties. Balls were the worst, and she blanched at the thought of the approaching gala.
    At last, Ursa had woven her damp hair into a complex web of braids that trailed down her upper back. Lian absently fingered the pendant around her neck, which shimm ered in the early morning light as Ursa stepped back to view her work. Ursa’s eyes fell to her neck , and she smiled in wonder. “The necklace is a nice touch,” she said, motioning for Lian to stand. “I do believe you’re ready.”
    No sooner had she spoke than another knock came at the door , and two guards stepped into the room, each taking up a position on either side of the entry. Another man, a page, walked past them and bowed. “The Lady Ana-Elise requests your presence for immediate departure.”
    Lian cast one last dreary look at Ursa, who was trying to suppress a giggle, and followed the page out the door. 
     
    ***
    LIAN WAS GLAD THE M arketplace wasn’t open at night or else she might not be able to see anyone. At least in the cheaper section of the Market . Everyone wore the same drab shades: black, gray, cream, all inexpensive colors. But the royal entourage didn’t tarry in the cheaper wares for long. Ana went straight to the nicer shops, and more and more colors appeared. She also wore a lavender chemise, and Lian wondered how in Eresea she had managed that. A gift from Alastor probably.
    The M arketplace overflowed with the hectic hustle and bustle of business as Accalians bartered with one another while others tried to draw more attention to their booths. Everything from fresh