Page 34 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

Melanie shifted the parchments away from her. “You’re Apollo’s sister?”

Temi smirked. “Yes, but if you get to know me, I have attributes of my own as well.”

Melanie laughed. “Forgive me.”

“Don’t worry yourself,” Temi said, crossing her arms.

Melanie turned to me, her fingers gripping my elbow as she steered me towards the mirrors. “And now you, Pip. We were just talking, and we think we’ve decided the perfect style for your presentation. It will help downplay your curves some.”

My reflection gasped at me, and I smoothed my hand over the burgundy of my dress. “I like my curves.” And that was true. I had wide hips and thick thighs, but I’d always felt like they fit me. My eyes dashed to the dip of my hip, like an upturned flower petal. Would others see that as a flaw?

“I mean, of course you do.” Melanie tilted her head against mine, studying us in the mirror. “But you don’t want to be too overt.”

I fiddled the fabric of my skirt between my fingers. I looked over my shoulder. Temi sat next to Rya, her expression tight. “What do you all think?”

Rya smiled, the freckles across her nose wrinkling. “I think you should just pick whatever makes you happy, Pip.”

Temi cocked her head to the side. “What is this dress for?”

I turned towards the mirror, to my frown reflecting in it. “It’s for the start of my presentation.”

“What is a presentation?”

Melanie grinned like a mischievous nymph. “It’s Pip’s chance to meet her future spouse.” She squealed and tugged me into a side-hug again. “You’re so lucky. All the richest and most gorgeous suitors in the kingdom will parade over you.”

I cringed, and Temi’s lips twisted up. “Well, since you asked for my thoughts.” She skimmed her eyes over me. “If the aim is to get to know your future partner, I say putting your truest self forward makes the most sense. My opinion is pick a gown that highlights your curves, especially if you like them.”

A hush settled over the room, a bird's shrill cry echoing in through the window. I bit my lip but then turned around and faced Temi. “I love that idea.” She grinned back at me.

Melanie feathered her fingers together. “Well, it’s whatever you wish, Pip, of course.”

Later, after fittings and ordering multiple gowns, my head pounded as Temi and I descended the stairs. She paused at a window. “Do you want to spend the afternoon with me?”

“Sure,” I said. “Doing what?”

She shrugged. “There’s this stand in the town square that serves this sweet bread studded with fruit.”

“Chosomo bread.”

She grinned. “Yes! We could split a loaf.”

“I’m not allowed to leave the palace grounds presently.”

“Oh.” She tapped her fingers against her thigh. “Well, we could explore the gardens.”

“I’d love to.” I looked over my shoulder and then lowered my voice to a whisper. “But I’ll have to ditch my lessons this afternoon.”

“Will I get you in trouble?”

I rolled my eyes. “No more trouble than I get myself into regularly.”

She smirked, and we ambled together down the staircase, and then I led the way to back hallways where we were unlikely to run into any of my tutors or brothers and through a rear door that attendants used.

Along the garden paths, pastel Armeria blooms ruffled their royal petals, and I lifted my face to the sun, closing my eyes and soaking in its warmth.

“Could I ask you a question that may be invasive?” Temi’s voice hummed through my thoughts.

“Of course.”