Chapter 35

“Lavender and magenta are the court’s official colors, other than the icy blue we often show to the public,” the woman explained. “This is a shade in between and would show respect to our future ruler, whichever of the two takes the crown in the end.”

“It’s too short.”

A cool sensation touched her knees. Mabel watched as the hem lengthened, fluttering around her skin and draping to the ground.

“Too long,” Mabel said, biting back a grin at Emma’s eyeroll.

“You’re lucky I like you,” the woman declared before shortening the dress until it was just below her knees. Mabel twirled again, the layers of sheer material moving with her.

“Even if I’m not a magic?”

“You know what to say and when to show your emotions. You know when to push your agenda and when to back off, and you can hold your own against our more malicious peers. You can be vicious, too, when it calls for it. You’re already acting like a magic.”

“Oh,” she said, unsure how to react. It never sank into her mind that the qualities