AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Your hair needs a little more time for the color to set. Even with the mask, Elizabeth might recognize you before you get close.” Then, with the promise that I must only endure this for a few more minutes, she leaves.
She’s right. We cannot afford to take any chances. Still, it leaves me with nothing to do other than continue to ruminate over Alaric’s actions and the numerous questions for which there are no answers.
I skim my fingers over my ribs. Over the spot where Elizabeth stabbed me. Thanks to Varin’s power, no sign of the wound remains. But if I think on it for too long, my bones ache with the remembered scrape of metal.
Della knocks to let me know I can finally wash my hair. I let my head fall back and rinse the dark paste from the strands, massaging the scented water into my scalp.
A dress of midnight blue hangs in the window to let out any wrinkles. There are layers of contrasting fabrics wrapping diagonally across the bodice and flowing over the satiny skirt. The delicate gold details, scattered in varying clusters, sparkle like the night sky in the flickering firelight.
Della sits me down on a chair in front of a mirror and begins working on my hair. She works out the tangles first, then adds cream to make it shine. Her face remains serene as fingers move deftly and efficiently, twisting and pinning my hair.
The silence between us is strained.
“I’m sorry I made you worry.”
Della lowers her hands and looks at me through the mirror. There’s no mistaking the hurt in her eyes.
I pull her around so I can apologize to her directly. “I’ve been a terrible friend.” She opens her mouth to speak, but I don’t give her a chance. “Let me finish. I’m not saying this because I want you to excuse my thoughtlessness. Ihavebeen a terrible friend, and you all deserved better than that. I am truly sorry.”
Della’s demeanor softens.
“I’m still not used to others worrying about my safety, but that’s no excuse. From this moment on, I will do better.”
She nods and resumes styling my hair. After a moment, she says, “Thank you.”
When she finishes, there’s no time to admire her skill. These last few hours started out in a crawl and somehow managed to race by. Della leaves so we can both finish getting ready.
I run my fingers over the skirt. It might be the most beautiful gown I’ve ever laid eyes on.
The asymmetric neckline covers the scars on my chest and neck. On the high side is a simple petal sleeve made of diaphanous material, and an off-the-shoulder loop of the same fabric on the other. The bodice accentuates my figure, with the back cut so low, it borders on indecent before the skirt flares out at the hips.
Layers of tulle bunched are strategically in places to make it appear to float above the main skirt. The effect gives the dress the illusion of more bulk than it has in reality.
I test out how well I can move around, and I am pleased that rather than being cumbersome, it is light, making it easy to move around. The cloth is delicate enough to rip if necessary, and there is even a hidden pocket at the waist.
Satisfied, I strap the night-forged dagger to my upper thigh. I retrieve the amber vial from where I stashed it at the bottom of the leather satchel and roll it over in my palm, trying to decide what to do with it.
A knock on the door interrupts me, and I shove it in my pocket. The weight of the glass against my hip makes it feel visible to the world.
“Come in,” I call, slipping a pair of midnight blue silk gloves on. They are long, coming up almost the entire length of my arm, hiding the last of my visible scars.
“Is it too late to take back what I said about not wanting you to fall in love with me?”
I whirl to find a grinning Cassius with Asmod draped over his shoulders. The demon blinks their crimson eyes, watching me.
My gaze flits to the bed, then to the door, searching for Cherno before I remember that they have returned to Nightwich to be near Alaric. Their absence there would only raise Elizabeth’s suspicions that I am still alive.
“You are a vision in that gown.” He clears his throat and strides over. “I wanted to give you this before we left.”
He holds out a box, urging me to open it when I hesitate. Inside is a choker made of pale gold, fashioned into thorn-covered vines.
“It’s beautiful.”
Cassius takes it out and fastens it around my neck, then steps back to examine me. A mischievous glint flashes in his green eyes. “I still don’t like him, but when this is over, if Alaric doesn’t prove himself worthy of you every day, he will have to answer to me.”
Before I can respond, Della enters. She’s smiling, but her expression is tight around the edges. “The carriage is waiting.”
Those four words, though spoken lightly, fill my stomach with butterflies.
