Free Mortal Enchantment by Stacey O'Neale Page A

turned away, obviously offended.
    Tension spread across my shoulder blades. What she was teaching me was important. My mind drifted back to my training with Rowan. He’d also tried to keep me focused. I lowered my head; I had acted childish. Why was I standing in my own way while they tried to help me? “I’m sorry, Ariel. I appreciate what you’re trying to do for me and everything you have already done.”
    She helped me step into the dress, throwing the towel to the side. “I know you do. I honestly don’t understand how you’re handling all this so well. I think I would’ve run away by now, or at the very least, went into a full-on breakdown.”
    We both broke into a laugh. I reached out, pulling her into a hug. I’d waited my whole life for a friend like her. Someone who knew all about me. Someone I could be completely honest with. If it weren’t for her and Rowan, I definitely would’ve lost it by now.
    “All right now, I don’t want you smudging my masterpiece.” She fluffed the bottom of my dress. “Now, get down there and make me proud.”
     

 

Chapter Nine
     
    Golden doors were held open by two male palace guards, both dressed in satin yellow robes. I stood beneath the entryway, holding in a gasp of breath. The vaulted ceiling was made of glass. Intricate wood cuttings covered every wall while large white pillars framed every corner. A musician sat in the farthest corner playing a harp. Servants rushed in and out of the room with glasses of amber colored wine and plates of various appetizers.
    The silver crown Ariel insisted I wear felt awkward. As I made my way toward the table, I ran through everything she’d said only moments ago. I needed to exude confidence, so I tilted my head slightly, relaxing my face. A smile didn’t seem appropriate.
    Members of the air council were seated around a massive wooden rectangular table in the center of the room. Each wore lavish yellow robes and dresses. A large plant with multi-colored flowers, bright berries, and fruits covered most of the table. I came to stand next to the only empty seat, which happened to be at the head of the table.
    The music stopped abruptly and each person stood. ‟Welcome, Princess,” Jarrod said, bowing. Every other member gave a respectful nod, and I did the same in return. They stared at me for an uncomfortable minute until I realized they were all waiting for me to sit. One of the female servants helped to bundle my gown and I plopped into the chair. Immediately everyone seemed to sit in unison.
    No one spoke. My hands shook in my lap. I cracked my knuckles—a nasty habit I picked up to hide my nerves. Sweat pearled on the nape of my neck as the temperature of the room rose. I had to do something to break the tension, but what? Normally, I would have said a joke or something sarcastic, but would a princess do the same?
    ‟We are very pleased to have you in Avalon. To Kalin, heir to the House of Paralda.” Jarrod raised his wine glass filled with the amber liquid. ‟Welcome home, Princess.”
    Welcome home? The cold shoulder reception from the council wasn’t anything resembling a long-awaited homecoming. They made me feel more like a tightly lodged pebble, stuck in the crevice of a shoe. I wished more than anything that Dad was by my side. I had a feeling his presence would wipe those nasty looks right off their faces. An ache swelled in my chest as I worried over his continued absence.
    The council members held out their glasses, but no one glanced in my direction. They reacted as if they were being forced. ‟Welcome home,” they said, their voices sounding monotone.
    I wanted to give them a proper one finger salute, but the gesture wouldn’t win me any allies. Tipping my wine glass forward, I said, ‟Thank you.” I focused on the wine swirling inside the glass, thinking about what Rowan had said. Was this one of the drinks he had warned me about? Would it be like chugging ten shots of vodka? Rather than take my