Soft.
Glittering.
Beautiful.
And somehow—so was I.
Tears blurred my vision unexpectedly.
Gods.
What was happening to me?
How could one man—one Monster—make me feel like this?
I sighed and faced the mirror.
I looked—well—I looked like someone worthy of being wanted.
The thought hit so hard I had to grip the edge of my dresser briefly.
Then I noticed the smaller box hidden beneath the tissue paper.
Inside sat a delicate glass bottle labeled simply:
For your hair.
I laughed softly through lingering tears.
Trusting him immediately, I sprayed several pumps over my faded overprocessed curls.
Magic shimmered instantly through the strands.
Then—color exploded.
Ocean blue flooded my hair in soft waves threaded through with cerulean and azure highlights that gleamed like gemstones beneath the light.
“Oh my gods.”
I looked magical.
Not awkward.
Not unfinished.
Magical.
Hands trembling slightly, I opened the note tucked beneath the box.
Dearest Luna,
I cannot wait to see you tonight.
Wear this as a token of esteem from my heart to yours.
No more secrets. No more lies. Tonight, I will tell you everything.
Yours,
