Page 115 of A Sinful Gravity

Laila studied herself in the mirror. "Up. Princesses always wear it up."

The stylist smiled. "Up it is."

Her hands moved quickly, weaving Laila's hair into something delicate and intricate.

When she finished, she pulled out a little crown—silver, studded with rhinestones, glittering under the lights.

"How about this?"

Laila nodded, eyes locked on the crown.

It sat perfectly on her updo, rhinestones catching the light. Laila stared at herself, then reached up to touch it, making sure it was real.

"Cassian, look!" She spun around, voice bubbling with joy.

"Gorgeous." I covered my mouth dramatically.

She laughed and turned back to the mirror.

Next came makeup. The stylist used kid-safe cosmetics—light colors, strawberry-scented—brushing them gently across Laila's face.

Then carefully placed glitter under her eyes. Piece by piece, like tiny stars landing on her cheeks.

Laila picked pink nail polish—peel-off, kid-friendly, odorless. She held out her short fingers, perfectly still, serious as if performing surgery.

After one hand was done, she held it up to me.

"Cassian, pretty?"

"Very."

"You want some?"

"I'm good."

"Just one!" She grabbed my hand, trying to pry my fingers open.

The stylist laughed.

I looked at my forced-open hand, then at Laila's hopeful face.

"Just one."

She nodded hard.

The stylist bit back a smile and painted clear polish on my ring finger. Laila inspected it and nodded in approval. "Now Cassian's a princess too."

I looked at my shiny finger, then at Laila in her crown.

"Let's go, Princess." I stood. "Concert's starting soon."

She hopped off the chair and ran to the full-length mirror for one last check. Then she ran back and grabbed my hand.

"Let's go, Cassian." Her hand was small, soft, nails pink.

The sun was behind us, turning the whole street gold. She walked beside me, crown sparkling, glitter catching the light.

Near the National Mall,the world had turned pink.