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I met Nightclaw’s amber eyes. “An indomitable force to be reckoned with?”
I stepped towards the massive feline. “You can go now. Go on and explore.” I kept my voice soft. “I’ll be back to visit you here soon. Don’t... Don’t run away? Okay?”
I nearly added, “Please don’t run out into the palace and eat any of the nobles” but decided Nightclaw was intelligent enough not to have to be told.
Besides, they probably tasted terrible.
Now, back in the suite, with Breena, I wondered how Nightclaw was faring.
Breena was touching my hair, tutting softly to herself. I looked past her at where she had been laying out things and let out a gasp.
“Is that my gown?”
A dress was hanging on the door of the wardrobe. A dress like nothing I had ever seen before.
Crafted from a sheer, opalescent fabric, the gown was the very embodiment of beauty. With a breathtaking palette of emerald greens and sapphire blues, I was reminded of moonlit forests and tranquil waters. The bodice was a deep shade of ocean blue. Silver threadwork, evocative of starlit vines, intertwined along the high halter-style neckline, while from the waist down, the gown cascaded in layers of flowing, gossamer-thin fabrics.
Green chiffon, soft as a summer breeze, lent the skirt an ethereal elegance, falling and draping in asymmetrical layers, each one decorated with delicate silver beadwork. While there was a more solid piece of fabric down the center of the skirt, the overall translucency of the material would also allow the wearer's bare hips and legs to be glimpsed with every step.
The gown was sleeveless and backless. Slender shimmering silver straps crisscrossed over the back of the dress, adding to its sensuous allure.
The last time I had worn anything like this had been at the Rose Court ball to welcome the delegation from Lyonesse.
That night...had not gone as planned.
A sense of trepidation filled me as I stared at the dress.
“It is a little scanty,” Breena admitted, from beside me as she followed my gaze. “But a beautiful gown. The prince has excellent taste. I believe he’ll be wearing shades to match.”
Perfect. We were going tomatch.
“Now, you need a bath before I can dress you and see to your hair,” Breena announced.
Practically shoving me across the room, she hurried me into the bathing chamber and left me in peace for fifteen minutes before pounding on the door and insisting I speed things along.
Soon, I was seated before her in front of a mirrored vanity in the bedroom, watching as she dried and brushed my hair, then began to expertly wind it into soft curls and tendrils. Delicate pieces of mother-of-pearl blossoms hung with tiny crystals were woven together and placed atop my head like an ornate crown. They caught the light of the chandelier overhead and accentuated my silver halo of hair.
By the time Breena was through with my hair and had helped me step into the gown, fastening it carefully behind my neck, I was dazed. Looking into the full-length mirror on the wall, I hardly recognized myself.
“Is all of this really necessary?” I managed to say. “A crown seems a little... overboard.”
Breena waved a hand. “It’s hardly a crown. Most of the nobles will have some sort of headdress far more excessive than yours.”
She studied my reflection. “You look very pretty. I hope the prince will be pleased.”
I did a half-twirl and the gossamer fabric swirled around my hips. The crystals in my hair gleamed, mirroring the eddies of markings up and down my arms.
I was more than pretty. I was unrecognizable.
I also felt half-naked.
The bodice of the dress was modest enough, but the rest of me felt precariously close to unclothed. As if I were covered in feathers and not a gown at all.
Breena had covered the bruise on my elbow with a light dusting of powder. Nevertheless, I was just about to ask for a shawl when the door to the bedchamber swung open.
Draven stood in the doorframe. I could see there were others waiting behind him. I spotted Crescent, Odessa, and yes, even Hawl.
Apparently, we would be arriving at the opening ceremony with a full contingent.
