Page 95 of A Legacy of the Light

“Do you want anything more with him?”

“No,” she sighs. “Maybe. I don’t know. It’s complicated. I turn into a shy fool when I’m around him, and I can’t seem to formulate a coherent thought. It drives me mad.”

“He’ll be at the ball tonight, right? Not on duty?”

“Aye. I’m nervous.”

“You shouldn’t be,” I sit down next to her on the bed and pull her up so she’s sat with me. “One, you look unbelievable in the dress your aunt designed. Two, I will be your wingwoman. Three, you’re not that shy twenty-year-old anymore. You’re a badass warrior queen and he should know that.”

Reyne rests her head on my shoulder. “But how do I know he’s even interested anymore?”

“He is. Besides, if you don’t try, you’ll never know. It only takes a few seconds of bravery to change your life.”

“I’ll remember you said that.” She stands and pulls me into the bathroom. “Come on, let’s get ready. Can I paint your nails?”

I smile. “Sure.”

◆◆◆

Two hours later, I pick at the skin around my freshly painted black nails while Reyne helps me into my dress. “Will you stop fidgeting? I’m trying to zip you in here.”

I look at my reflection in the full-length mirror Reyne had summoned into my bedroom. My hair is styled into waves, falling in a sleek blonde shimmer down my back and clipped away from my face on one side.

My makeup is simple but effective. Reyne has used a brown eyeshadow to create a smoky look that makes the green in my eyes stand out, perfectly contrasting with the deep red lipstick she had me wear.

My dress fits my body like a second skin. The structure of the corset highlights my breasts without being trashy and gives me the perfect amount of cleavage. The satin of the skirt wraps across the top of my thighs before draping dramatically to the floor. The black open-toed heels and the slit in my gown accentuates my long legs and pools at the back to create a small train.

When Reyne finishes zipping me in, she rests her hands on my shoulders and looks at me in the mirror. “Wow. Elsie, you look beautiful.”

I feel it. I’ve never thought myself attractive. But the way this gown fits my body, emphasizing my waist and hips, and the way Reyne has done my makeup, makes me feel beautiful.

I smile at her. “And you’re going to have Eòghann wrapped around your little finger by the end of the night.”

Reyne looks stunning. She has styled half of her hair up in a twist around the back of her head, and the rest of the vibrant red tumbles around her face in tight curls. She has taken a more subtle approach with her makeup, but it’s equally devastating. The shadow on her eyes highlights the depth of their color and her pale pink lipstick shows off the fullness of her lips. The pale blue chiffon gown has spaghetti straps and is fitted through the waist before falling to the floor in a delicate A-line, perfectly highlighting her lean hourglass figure.

“Here’s hoping,” she replies, squeezing my shoulders before letting me go. She lightly spritzes me with a perfume that smells similar to the lotion she left me before leading me to the door.

“Remember what I said to you the other day?” She pauses, one hand on the doorknob.

“About things getting interesting? What does that mean?”

“Sex, Elsie. It means sex. If you don’t want to see it, stay away from the chambers.”

“Seelie have sex in those chambers?” I reply in a hushed tone. I’m not a prude, and by no means a virgin, but I can’t say a sex party has ever been on my Fuck-it List.

“Aye,” she smirks.

“Who? Do you?”

“Dhia, no!” she laughs loudly, pulling me through the door.

“Who then?”

“Whoever is in the mood. I told you, Seelie are open about it.”

Do not ask what you are about to ask, Elsie. Just don’t.

“Does Tavish?” My question comes out rushed and barely above a whisper.