“If you don’t, then perhaps there’s something else I can offer you. I supposed that’s what this visit is for. Whatever deal we come to should be mutually beneficial, don’t you think?”
For some reason, hearing Ryder handle himself in this way is surprising. He’s matter of fact, but considerate. He wears a demeanor that tells everyone around him to proceed with caution, all while making people feel like their voice can beheard. He walks a fine line, but he does it well, and the three leaders seem to appreciate it.
“Very well,” Ion says as he stands up, leading us all to do the same. “We’ll have plenty of time to discuss details later. For now, I wish us all to get to know one another.” He turns, calling the two people who took our things forward. “This is Bex and Mason. They’ll show you to your rooms. Whatever you need, they can get for you. We’ll reconvene in an hour for dinner in the Grand Hall.”
“We look forward to it.”
The four of us follow Bex and Mason up three flights of marble stairs. They show us each to our rooms where outfits are waiting for us to change into. Before they leave us to it, they ask if there’s anything else they can get us. The meeting may have put me on edge a little, but Bex and Mason’s warm welcome has me relaxing a bit.
Ryder and Damien slip off to their rooms while Amaya joins me in mine. We get so caught up in talking about it all that the hour seems to pass by all too quickly. Once we notice the time, we hurry up and put our dresses on.
“Wow! I haven’t worn anything like this since the Nightfall celebrations,” Amaya says as she admires her outfit in the large, floor-length mirror.
“You look incredible!” I compliment as I take in the beautifully crafted gown made of thousands of pearls, which contrast her skin in a way that is simply mesmerizing.
“If only Zane were here to see me in it,” she sighs.
“If he were, I’m sure his jaw would be on the floor,” I offer with a cheeky grin.
She’s told me how hard it’s been being away from him, and knowing that he’s at the Sector doesn’t make it any better. I remember what it felt like when I thought Damien was goneon a mission. It’s hard enough knowing Zane is in enemy territory, I can only imagine how much worse it must be not having contact with him. I hate that she’s hurting, but the best thing I can do right now is just be there for her like she has always been there for me.
“Damn right!” she adds, pinning a few loose pieces of my hair into the high messy bun she’s perfected on me over the years. “Now, let’s take a look at you.”
She spins me around to look in the mirror, and I can’t deny how pretty I feel in the dress made of dazzling gems that look like diamonds. One after the other, they cascade down the sweetheart bodice until they touch the floor.
“Oh, the boys are going to drop dead when they see you in this.”
“Damien maybe… Ryder, definitely not.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” she says with a sly smile.
“Why would you say that?”
She shrugs, and a knock at the door cuts the conversation short. Amaya opens the door to find both Damien and Ryder waiting for us.
“Wow. You boys don’t look half bad,” she says, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.
“You clean up pretty well yourself,” I hear Ryder reply from the hallway.
I finish putting on the heels that are almost too skinny for me to walk in and slowly make my way to the door. When I stop next to Amaya in the doorway, both men run their eyes down my body, taking in the details of my gown.
“You boys need a towel to wipe off the drool?”
My hand flies to my mouth in an attempt to hide the smile, but seeing the two of them straighten in response to beingcalled out by my best friend has me internally fighting back laughter.
“We should go. We wouldn’t want to be late.” I turn around and shut my bedroom door while the others start to make their way to the stairs.
“Did you see their faces?” Amaya giggles quietly beside me.
“Stop it. I’m trying to keep it together.”
“Fine,” she sighs dramatically.
Even with her and the railing’s support, every step feels like I’m going to tumble to my death. Once we finally reach the bottom, I exhale a deep breath, releasing the stress from my body.
“You all look wonderful!” Ion chimes when he and the others come sweeping around the corner to greet us.
Each of them is still wearing robes, but unlike the cotton ones decorated with threaded patterns from earlier, these are lined with stunning gems still coordinating with each of their designated colors, which I realize must have some sort of meaning to them.
