Page 100 of A Whisper of Cinders

“What is so funny?”

“Oh, babes, I’m sorry, it’s just I thought you would’ve figured it out by now. Your closet is magical.”

It is a pretty closet, the clothes in it beyond what I could dream of. But I’m sure she’s not talking about that sort of magic. “Meaning…?”

“Meaning it creates what you need at the moment you open its doors.” She stands next to me now. “You see, you need swimwear, and seeing you’re not sure if you want to wear a bikini or a one-piece, it gives you multiple options of both.”

She runs her fingers through the bathing suits, knowing I am not ready for a bikini just yet and stops at one with broader cream-coloured straps, the neckline in the same colour with a little V-shape in the centre and the rest of the body is a deep brown.

“Isn’t that a little much?” I ask, lacking the confidence she obviously has.

“What? No! Not at all! Everything that needs to be covered is covered up. Your ass will look amazing and the little details on the cleavage? It will look stunning on you, without a doubt.”

She pulls me in front of the mirror, stands behind me and holds up the bathing suit. “Try it on Mai, we can always search for something else if you don’t like it.”

I quickly put it on before I change my mind, and stand in front of her, not yet ready to look at myself. She has somehow also changed in her own swimsuit, which is odd since I didn’t hear her leave the room. “And, what do you think?”

She takes one look and her mouth falls open. “Dear moons Mai, you look as stunning as the sun itself. I love this on you, but please, take a look for yourself.”

I walk over to the mirror and look up from my feet until my eyes find the swimsuit. I do look good, to my biggest surprise. My waste is accentuated and so are my breasts. I look elegant without it being inappropriate.

Ami appears behind me once more, holding my shoulders and letting her chin rest upon my right one. “Do you see now how beautiful you are, my sweet Mai?” I meet her eyes in the mirror, frowning at her. She sighs. “Of course you don’t. Well, I’m sure there will be at least two fae of the opposite sex who will agree with me.”

My cheeks burn and I quickly turn away, browsing through my closet for a cover-up. I grab the first thing I see, a gauzy long skirt in the same cream as the swimsuit and put on a pair of slippers.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She grins, obviously not believing a word I say. I don’t either. “Uhu, if you say so.” She grabs my hand and pulls me towards the door. “Time to go. You will love this party, trust me.”

Ami ushers me out of the room and closes the door behind me. I vaguely remember the route from when I visited the lake with Aramis. The only difference is that there is much more noise coming from the cave. I take a deep breath.

You can do this, Mai. Just keep breathing.

Ami passes me and walks down the stairs. I quickly follow, not wanting to stay behind. As I reach the last steps, the lake comes into view. It is definitely busier than previous time, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful.

As I take off my cover up, I let my eyes roam over the lake, seeing multiple groups of fae lounging and laughing, not at all paying attention to me or Ami. And when a pull inside of me directs my gaze to the left side of the lake, I am not surprised to see Aramis there who is talking to…Conláed. Zale and Enver close their small circle and if you would tell me they were supermodels, I would’ve believed you.

It’s unfair how good they look.

“Don’t let them hear you say that, their egos wouldn’t be able to fit in Moonveil.”

I hadn’t realised I’d said it out loud, but I laugh. “I’m sure they wouldn’t.” As if on cue, I feel how two gazes trace my face, only to find Aramis and Conláed watching me, as if my laughter was a tune only they could hear.

Deciding faking confidence and pretending I didn’t notice the longing stare in Aramis’ eyes might not be a bad idea, I follow Ami to the edge of the lake. But when I let my gaze roam over the other fae and see some of them are looking at me too, my confidence evaporates into thin air.

Ami is already swimming away, but turns around when she notices I’m not actually following her. She reaches me in no time and rests her arms between my feet. “Are you alright?”

I shift from one leg to another. “I…It’s just…you know…”

Her hand touches my ankle, reassuring me. “Sit down.”

It feels safer to sit, so I let my legs dangle off the edge. The slightly cooler water feels heavenly against my flushed skin and steam floats up from where my legs meet the water.

Ami holds my calves, drawing small circles there with her thumb. “Breathe, Mai, or you will boil everyone in the lake.”

I try to let my panic evaporate, but the harder I try, the worse it gets. Small bubbles start to rise to the surface. “I don’t know how to make it stop.”

The fact that I’m not hearing anyone scream is a good sign, but I’m not sure how long it will take until they do.