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“After the coronation dresses, I’m grateful we’re picking out our own wedding dresses,” I said. “I’ve never worn anything so beautiful yet so cumbersome. It will be a relief to have something elegant and yet easy to move around in.”
“You know we won’t get away with simple, but we can push it as far as possible.” Rhia turned to Luna. “You will be my maid of honor?”
Luna sputtered. “I…I…up there in front of everyone?”
“You’ll have company, because Peyton’s going to be my maid of honor, and since we’re having a double wedding, we’ll all be up there together.” I grinned at her.
Peyton gave me a sharp look. “That’s the first time I’ve heard about this.”
“That’s because I haven’t had a chance to tell you yet.”
“Tell me, is it? Not ask?” But the twinkle in her eye told me that she was joking. “So, what are we to wear? Hopefully not godawful satin dresses with big bows and poufy sleeves?”
Rhia snorted. “I wouldn’t wish those on my worst enemy. No, we’ll figure that out when Cicely and I find our dresses.”
And, laughing, we entered the shop. The guards waited outside, though Rex followed us in to keep an eye on us. I squirmed, feeling all too watched. For the umpteenth time I wondered how I’d ever get used to this gig.
But the uncomfortable sensation vanished as we entered a world of tulle and satin and silk and lace. While the theme was definitely bridal, the designs and colors were far from traditional. Elegant, intricate dresses, some sweeping to the floor, lined the walls. Princess gowns and draped Grecian dresses and mermaid hems and tea-length frocks—all in vivid jewel tones and delicate pastels—exploded in a maelstrom of colors and textures.
On the center tables, accessories abounded: tiaras and clutches, rosettes and handkerchiefs and everything a bride could want to finish making her wedding ensemble shine.
As Rhiannon and Luna started down one side, Peyton and I started down the other. I immediately nixed the idea of a mermaid gown. I didn’t like the lines on them. And I wasn’t Cinderella—my coronation dress was the closest I’d ever get to a princess gown. Fit-and-flare gowns were just about the same as mermaid dresses in my book, so those were out.
Peyton pointed to a horrendous bubble affair. It looked like it was pieced together from bubbles made of netting. The sleeves were so huge around the shoulders that they could have held watermelons, and there were so many ruffles and tiers of lace that all I could see was a mound of fabric pieced together.
I snorted. “You aren’t getting me anywhere near that monstrosity. Why don’t you try it on?” But then, as I turned, I caught sight of it. The dress. And I knew, right then, right there, it was mine.
At first glance, it was a drape of silver lace over pale gray chiffon, with royal blue lace straps that led to a keyhole back. Form-fitting but not tight, it had a low-cut bodice and a beautiful beaded sash that matched the straps. The sash tied in a bow in back, with the ribbons draping down to calf length.
“That one,” I said. “What’s the train like? I don’t want to trip over it.”
Peyton peeked around back, motioning me over. The train of the gown was delicate tulle. “This looks like it drapes out in back. I think they call it a chapel train.”
“Yes, it’s a chapel train.” One of the saleswomen hustled over. “But if you tuck it here and here, you can see that it folds neatly into a bustle for dancing.” With a few minor adjustments, the sparkling silver train was transformed into a bustle that looked like it had been made that way.
“I love the color. I love that it isn’t stark white or ivory.” I turned to the saleswoman, whose name tag read RHONDA, and, my hand still fingering the hem of the dress, said, “I want to try this on.”
“Of course, Your Highness.” At my startled look, she smiled. “We were told you and your cousin would be coming in today, looking for your wedding dresses. While we’re not used to the Fae frequenting our shop, let alone royalty, we’re here to serve.”
Speechless, I watched as she lifted the dress down from the display rack.
The dresses weren’t on mannequins, but instead they hung separately on individual racks on the raised dais that circled the room. The boutique probably had a hundred dresses total, and by the looks of them, the store was geared toward women with unusual tastes.
As I followed Rhonda to the dressing room, I glanced over at Rhiannon. She was still sorting through dresses, but she looked happy rather than frustrated, and the clerk who followed her was carrying two dresses already.
I slipped off my jeans and sweater and let Rhonda slide the dress over my head. It was a sample size, and didn’t fit right, but she was able to adjust it so that I could tell how it would look. As she wrapped the sash around my waist, I began to smile, and when she led me to a mirror, I caught my breath.
The dress might have been made just for me. It was simple, elegant, but it matched my style, and my circlet glimmered softly in the light, echoing the silver of the dress. The splash of royal blue on the straps and sash set off my eyes in an arresting way. I still wasn’t used to the change in color, but now they shimmered with an icy frost.
As Rhonda spread out the train so that it trailed behind me, I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the mirror. “I cannot believe…this is me.” It was more beautiful than my coronation dress, and so much more me.
Peyton let out an uncharacteristic squeak. “You’re so beautiful, Cicely. I love it.” She shivered, grinning. “You look like the Snow Queen.”
I laughed then. “I am the Snow Queen, remember?” Turning to Rhonda, I smiled softly. “This is it. Can I get it in a week? I’ll pay for a rush.”
She inclined her head gracefully. “Of course. We will make it happen. What about a veil?”
I glanced at Peyton. “I suppose it needs to be fitted to my crown.” She nodded, and I turned back to Rhonda. “Something swept back from my face. I’m not a shrinking violet. Maybe…in silver lace to match my dress? Midback length? I don’t need to go tripping over extra material.”
