Page 45 of Their Trials

My palms were sweaty, my skin cold and clammy. I was sure Larissa was having hell trying to apply my makeup. To keep my hands from shaking, I gripped my leggings to the point that my knuckles turned white.

Finally finishing with my makeup, Larissa stood to survey her work. She smiled in triumph, pleased with the result. Catching sight of myself in the mirror, I had to admit, she was talented at her job. Too bad she was not to be trusted and was adding to my anxiety.

“Thank you, Larissa. I've got things from here. Would you go see if the Consorts need any assistance?” Juniper instructed her.

“But...” she started, clearly not happy with being dismissed.

Juniper gave her a hard look, stopping any arguments she may have given. Instead, she simply nodded. “Of course. Call for me should you need anything further,” she offered dutifully.

“Thank you, Larissa,” I told her, not wanting any more enemies at this point. While she wasn't necessarily trustworthy, she also wasn't outright trying to sabotage me either. She smiled, pleased with my thanks before she disappeared to see what the guys needed.

“Now that she's gone, how are you?” Juniper asked, meeting my gaze in the mirror.

“Honestly?” I asked her. When she nodded, I sighed heavily. “I'm nervous about tonight.”

“I would think that's a normal response after your last encounter with the Queen,” Juniper reassured me, her eyes showing empathy for what had happened to me.

“I don't want her to have the satisfaction of my fear. I want to throw what she did back in her face as if to show her that she can try, but she could never truly hurt me,” I confessed softly, ashamed of my weakness.

“Oh dear.” She stopped messing with my hair, turning me to face her as she bent over to my level. “Courage isn't being unafraid. It's being terrified but standing up anyway.”

“I know, but I can't seem to convince myself that she didn't win.” My eyes watered as I aired the fears that were threatening to consume me.

“Did you know that many witnessed what happened during that ball and many more heard the tales of it?”

I buried my face in my hands. “Don't tell me that. It's embarrassing enough as it is.”

She pulled my hands from my face. “Word is, that you were terribly brave, standing up for that human slave. That you sacrificed yourself when you had no reason to, other than it was the right thing to do. You've managed to gain the respect of many fae in that one action.”

Shocked at this news, I gaped at her, my mouth hanging open. She closed my mouth with a gentle finger on my jaw and a soft smile on her face. “It's true. You managed to do what no other High Fae has in a very long time, reminding us of the honor that we once valued so dearly.”

“It's not like that's what I was trying to do.” I tried to shake off her praise, somewhat uncomfortable and feeling unworthy of it.

She laughed softly. “And that's exactly why it meant so much.”

Falling silent, I processed what she said, my anxiety somewhat eased by her words. “Now, let's get your armor in place. Since tonight is in your honor, we must ensure that you catch everyone's eye,” she said with a playful wink, turning me back to finish my hair.

Before I knew it, I was all decked out, a waterfall braid dripping with gems in my dark, ombre green hair, the tail wrapping around my head and laying across my left shoulder.

I was standing in a strapless gown that somehow stayed up no matter how I twisted and moved, which was magic in and of itself. The maroon color darkened until it was almost black at the hemline, more gems smattered around the plunging neckline, accenting it. The heart-shaped point dipped down nearly to my navel, revealing quite a bit of skin while also being tasteful and elegant. The waist hugged my hips snugly before falling loosely against my legs. Two slits up each side made it easy to walk, only evident when I took a step. When standing still, the fabric gathered and hid everything appropriately.

My heels weren’t very tall, thankfully, and crisscrossed up my calves to be revealed each time the dress opened when I walked. They matched the gems in the gown and my hair, glittering brightly in the low lights of my room. My makeup was minimal except for the perfect smokey eye which complimented my gown, a single gem at the edge of the perfect wing tip of my eyeliner.

Each time I thought I couldn't look better, Juniper and Larissa went and proved me wrong. I gasped at the sight of myself. “I can't believe that's me that I'm looking at. How'd you make me look like I'm glowing?” I asked her, turning to face her in awe of her handiwork.

She laughed. “That has nothing to do with me. That's all you.”

Shocked by that news, I turned back to look at my reflection again, my palm going to my cheek as if to reassure myself that it was indeed me in the mirror.

“You provide me with an already stunning canvas to work with. All I have to do is highlight it,” she said, coming to stand next to me, meeting my eyes in the mirror again.

“Well, I'm grateful to have you. You've been a real lifesaver.” I hugged her, basking in her strong embrace.

A knock sounded on the door. “You ladies ready in there?” Baer's voice sounded through the door. I laughed. Why did they always send him to fetch me?

“Just finishing up now,” I called out to him, hearing his footsteps walking away.

Juniper took both of my shoulders in her hands, facing me. “Remember to be true to who you are and what is right. Everything else will fall into place as long as you remain steadfast.”

---