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Don’t write me off yet.
Well, she hadn’t. She was hovering in limbo, unsure of which way she’d tumble. She still got butterflies in her stomach when she saw him. And she still felt a pang of guilt when she visited Eli.
Sometimes he’d open his mouth like he was about to say something and then abruptly turn and walk away, face flushed and unsure of himself. It was endearing how flustered he had become, but it pained her too, this invisible wall that had been put up between them. She wanted out of Rysburg more than anything, but she also just wanted to hear his voice again.
Ali missed him. She shouldn’t, but she couldn’t help it. She missed his strong hands and commanding presence that made her feel safe. She missed his eyes, too. Occasionally she’d glance his way and catch him staring. His eyes spoke when he couldn’t. He missed her, too.
Ali was lying in bed, enjoying an afternoon off of work. It was the week of their Winter Solstice Festival. With no one to supervise them, even the prisoners had been given a break. It would’ve been even better if they’d been invited to some games or celebrations. She’d overheard Sam describing the traditions and they sounded delightful. The exchanging of gifts. A massive feast featuring hot cider and cookies. Games, singing and dancing. It all sounded so appealing. Instead, she was making shapes out of the concrete on the ceiling for the hundredth time. It was getting hard to find new ones.
The bars to her cell rattled, drawing her eyes away from the ceiling. A guard she had never seen before nodded at her as a greeting. Nik rarely came to her cell anymore. “Surprise! You and the other prisoners are invited to the New Year’s banquet.”
“A banquet?” Ali asked, somewhat excited that she’d get to join in the festivities after all. It was hard to keep the eagerness out of her voice.
He nodded. “Well, not so much ‘invited’ as ‘required to serve food and drinks,’ but same thing. Here’s your uniform. Get dressed. You’re needed at the hall in twenty minutes.” He tossed a delicate white cloth at her.
The thin fabric slipped between her fingers. It was silky but so lightweight, she was sure there must be more to the outfit that was missing. She held it up and watched as it unraveled, dropping to the floor. It was a mix of silk and lace, most of which was sheer. A singular loop connected to the waistband was meant to go around her neck, leaving her back completely exposed and just barely covering her breasts. The skirt was more opaque at the top but faded into a transparent fabric by the time it hit her knees.
She gaped at the uniform in disbelief.
“It’s pretty, isn’t it?” the guard asked with a crooked grin, pressing his cheeks up against the bars. He flashed his teeth, and it made her nauseous. The dress wasn’t pretty. It was obscene. “Can’t wait to see it on you. Go ahead. I’ll wait.”
He was polite enough to mock closing his eyes. Whether he could see anything or not, Ali wasn’t sure, but it didn’t matter. He’d see most of her body anyway in just a minute. She tugged her T-shirt and pants off and slipped into the gown as quickly as possible. At least this uniform wasn’t too big for her. It fit her perfectly, leaving no uncomfortable gaps. The bits of skin that were meant to be covered stayed safely hidden. “Okay, I’m ready.”
He turned around and made no effort to hide his reaction. His eyes grew wide, and he smiled disturbingly. Ali crossed her arms, trying to cover what the dress did not.
“You should take your hair out of that braid. You’d be even more sexy.”
“I think I’ll leave it,” she spat. She didn't feel sexy. She felt objectified. “What about shoes?”
He tossed a sleek pair of sandals through the bars.
Sandals…in this weather?
They featured a thin sole and a gilded band slung between her toes and wrapped around the back of her ankle. She would surely freeze to death.
Ali pulled a sweatshirt over her head and followed him through the halls of the prison.
She was surprised to see Eli amongst the group being escorted to the banquet hall. This was the first time she’d seen him out of bed. What a cruel way to be reintroduced to the world. Was his uniform as atrocious as hers? He wore sweatpants to cover up.
“Hey, you’re working tonight?” she asked him.
He looked down at his feet. “Obviously.”
“Oh.” This was all still so awkward. “I didn’t think they’d let you. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. A little weak, but it feels good to finally be out of bed.”
“Right. Well, try not to work too hard. I imagine you’ll be sore tomorrow.”
“You’re not my mother, Ali. I know my limits.” He didn’t look at her as he spoke, and the words cut through her.
She hesitated. Everything was so fragile between them, but she wanted him to know she was here for him. “If…if you need anything tonight, ask me. Don’t be a hero. Don’t act like this isn’t affecting you or you aren’t in pain. Ask me for help, Eli.”
He finally turned her way. “I will,” he said softly.
They stepped through a back door of the building in the center of town. It took them through a hallway and into a kitchen much larger than the one they normally saw in the prison. It hadn’t occurred to Ali just how many people would attend this banquet, but there was enough food to feed hundreds. Chefs were running around, pulling things out of wooden stoves, cutting various vegetables and organizing appetizers on shiny silver trays.
Through the loud noise and clatter of kitchen utensils, she could hear music coming from the cracks in the doors lining the opposite wall of the kitchen. She was curious about what awaited them on the other side. Such a shame that she had to be a servant rather than a guest. Already, she felt a sense of elegance and sophistication that she’d never experienced before.
