With a shuddering breath, I allowed myself to cry until the water became cold.
ChapterFourteen
Kyella
When I emerged from the tub some time later, it felt as if I’d left behind a version of myself I was happy to shed. I felt a lightness and a spring to my step that hadn’t been there previously, and I found myself humming a nursery song my aunt used to sing to me as she brushed and braided my hair after washing up for the night. She told me it was mother’s favorite when they were kids, and it had always stuck with me since then.
While I was in the tub, my bag of personal belongings had appeared inside my room, which I’d found after giving myself a tour of the suite. There was a formal sitting area with a soft black couch and two matching chairs opposite in front of two windows that stretched from the ceiling to the floor. A small coffee table was placed in the middle, set with elegant cups and cubes of sugar, which I assumed was for tea if the occupant of this room was entertaining guests.
On the opposite side lay a bar full of both wine and blood, which made my throat begin to itch and my stomach growl. I still hadn’t come to terms with what my body so plainly craved now, so I quickly diverted my thoughts to getting ready.
Approaching the vanity in my bedroom, I realized that it was full of skincare and makeup products and a plethora of supplies for hair. Never before had I had the opportunity to do my own makeup, so I was a bit lost on what to use and how much. Still, I gave it a try, feeling a surge of excitement that I was in a position to do so.
After a botched attempt at kohl liner on my eyes, I quickly wiped it off and settled on using a light application of pink rouge on my cheeks and a clear lip balm that made my lips feel moisturized and glossy. Examining my face, I inhaled, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the change I could see in myself, and not just physically. There was a spark of life in my eyes that had been dimmed for so many years now.
Eyeing the pins and clips for hair, I did my best to braid back the front pieces of my hair and pin them in place. Leaving the rest of my dark waves flowing around me, I hoped that the Empress wouldn’t be offended by my lack of ability to get ready in the manner I often saw women in court showcase. I suppose I could’ve called on maids to help me, but I wanted to do things for myself.
This newfound freedom could be short lived, and I was going to make the most of it. I never realized how much I would appreciate doing what I wanted with my appearance, especially when it wasn’t forced upon me to impress someone I held disdain for.
I thought I looked beautiful. I felt good about myself, and for once, that was all that mattered.
Giving my reflection in the mirror a smile, I pushed from the seat and made my way to the dress that had been laid out for me. Running my fingers along the red satin, I sighed in appreciation at how soft and beautiful it was. It was simple, with two thin straps and ruching down one side that led to a long slit down the thigh.
Taking off my robe and hanging it in the bathroom, I slipped into the undergarments and dress and found it was the perfect fit. The hem reached below my knees, and I enjoyed the way the air kissed the skin of my left thigh when I walked. Looking back in the vanity mirror, a surprised smile appeared on my lips at how flattering the dress was.
I had never been blessed with beautiful curves like so many women I saw in Malakai’s castle, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t an insecurity of mine. In some ways though, I’d felt lucky, because it was my hope at the time that it made me less alluring to the vampyres under his rule.
But in this dress, my small waist was accented, giving my hips a slight flair I had never noticed before. My small breasts filled the relaxed neckline enough that it didn’t gape open, and for once, I appreciated my proportions.
A knock came on my door, followed by Kolvar’s voice. “Kyella, may we come in? We’re here to accompany you to dinner.”
Nerves erupted in my stomach at the thought of what the three Lords would think of my appearance. But it was fleeting, and I raised my chin with confidence. I loved the way I looked right now. I hadn’t done this to impress them. It had been for myself, and I would own that. If they happened to find it attractive as well, that would simply be a plus.
“I’ll be right out,” I called, glancing around for the shoes that had been left for me. I slipped my feet into the short black heels, thankful I’d been forced to wear them in Malakai’s empire. Otherwise, this would’ve been a very ungraceful entrance.
Grabbing the thin gold necklace that had been my mother’s, I clasped it around my neck, making sure the golden flower charm lay centered in the center of my chest. No one knew what type of flower it was, but that only made it that much more special to me.
I stepped into the living space, the Lords’ conversation coming to an abrupt halt. I swear you could’ve heard a pin drop, and I didn’t know whose gaze to meet first. Feeling a bit uncomfortable and nervous under the weight of their stares, which looked to hold heat and desire in each of their depths, I ran my hands down the front of my dress.
“You all look nice,” I offered, truly meaning it. They’d donned black slacks and thick black jackets with the golden crest of the Tridian Empire on the breast area and gold flourishes around the cuffs of the sleeves.
Dakath was the first to recover from their odd trance, stepping forward to grab my hand and press a kiss to the top of it, causing me to blush. “We don’t hold a flame to the beauty that you are, Kyella.”
Oh wow.The intensity of his words caused my skin to prickle. It was impossible to not feel drawn to these men even more than before, now that I was getting to know their gentle and kind natures. The open affection Dakath and Kolvar had shown me made it hard to not picture the other touches I’d like to experience with them.
My cheeks and ears heated with the thought, and I pulled my hand from Dakath’s with a smile. “Thank you.” I’d never received such a wonderful compliment, and I wasn’t sure how to handle it. ”Is that the formal outfit that Lords here wear on special occasions?”
“Yes,” Elijah answered. “When at a party or gathering of any kind in our ruler’s presence, it is customary.”
It was then that I noticed the two swords hanging from Dakath’s hip as well as Elijah’s.
“Where’s yours? Afraid you’ll poke yourself with the wrong end?” I teased Kolvar as he came closer to me.
He turned, showing the strap I’d missed on his front, allowing an ax to hang across his back. Turning back, he shot me a wink. “I know exactly where to point my weapon, darling.”
A scoff of amusement came from Dakath, and a glower of judgment from Elijah, at his words.
A giggle bubbled up from me as I picked up on the innuendo, but unfortunately a hint of insecurity came along with that thought. My mind tried to wander to the idea of Kolvar with someone else, and my smile melted away, replaced with a furrow of my brow. I didn’t like that at all.
