Page 118 of A World of Ruins

She rolls her eyes and flashes me a grin. ‘Just close your eyes.’

I comply with her instructions, albeit with a slightly exasperated sigh. ‘I hope you know I am not one for surprises.’ At least, not with everything that has happened.

Freya chuckles; it sounds distant and echoey like she has just stepped out into the hallway. ‘Well, this is one surprise I pray that you do love.’

I can feel the anticipation building within me, my feet eager to take that first step forward. I’ve never been known for my patience.

‘All right.’ Freya takes a deep breath. ‘Open your eyes,’ she whispers, her voice filled with a hint of mystery.

My breath catches in my throat and I blink, because the gown in Freya’s delicate hands is unlike anything I have ever seen.

It has a white off-the-shoulder bodice, sculpted to perfection with what looks like white dragon scales. The skirt flows in a cascade of opalescent chiffon adorned with patterns that mimic the scales, while the sleeves drape down like the wings of a dragon. In the middle of the bodice, a gold-cut jewel lies perfectly still, as if it were the heart of the dress.

I am left speechless as I gaze up at Freya, her lips gently caught between her teeth and her eyes shimmering with hope. ‘I know that you entrusted me with your wedding dress, and I truly had the perfect one in mind, but then I stumbled across this room full of clutter and old chests—’

A look of concern crosses my face. ‘Old chests?’

Freya pauses, looking as if caught in a moment of uncertainty. ‘Yes, it . . . was a hidden room, on the upper floors. I found this dress, among other things, inside a chest engraved with the name Aurelia.’

Aurelia.

‘This is Aurelia’s dress,’ I whisper in awe, my eyes lingering on the exquisite gown. ‘Darius’s mother.’

Freya’s joy is replaced by regret. ‘Oh, my Solaris, I’m so sorry, Nara.’ She gently places the dress on the bed and grabs both of my hands. ‘I didn’t . . . I do have the back-up dress if you wish—’

I surprise her by enveloping her in my embrace, causing her to take a few steps back. I hear a soft gasp escape her, followed by a quick recovery once her arms come around me. ‘I think Darius will love it,’ I tell her.

‘Are you certain?’

I nod and take a step back. We grasp each other’s hands, and a smile naturally spreads across my lips as I admire the dress. ‘I just hope, if Aurelia can see this, that she also loves the idea of me wearing it.’

‘Of course she would,’ Freya says softly. ‘Who else other than Solaris herself should wear that dress?’

I chuckle, feeling too many emotions at once.

‘So,’ Freya playfully twirls a strand of my hair. ‘Shall we prepare you for your momentous occasion?’

My stomach is a knot of nerves as I nod excitedly, and Freya gets to work with my hair. She drags me to the vanity by the window, braiding and pinning my curls into a low updo. We talk, laugh and sing until it is time to put the gown on.

Standing in front of the mirror, I am now clad in the wedding veil Freya had custom-tailored for me, a see-through piece of artwork with the sun stitched across it. The dress, on the other hand, is even more exquisite and it fits as if it were made for me. The white fabric of the skirt cascades like a waterfall made of the purest milk as each fold catches the light from outside the window.

I gently place my hands on the bodice, its scales feeling almost too forbidden to even touch.

It’s perfect.

‘Gus would have loved to see this.’ As thoughts of him consume my mind, my admiration for the dress fades. All he wanted was to be near his son and the love of his life. I can only hope that he is now with her after all these years.

‘Darius seems to be in less pain,’ Freya empathises. ‘He must be coming to terms with the idea of who Gus was to him – and to his mother.’

I stare at the ground. ‘There are still days,’ I whisper softly as if I’m sharing a secret. ‘There will always be days.’ Althoughthere is no denying he is better than he was weeks ago. There are rare moments when I notice he is distant, in his own little world, but all it takes to bring him back is to grab his hand and let him see I am there for him. ‘I suppose . . . ’ I begin to say, but my words trail off as I turn around and freeze upon witnessing Freya completely out of it.

In her gaze, a misty white takes over the colour of her eyes, taking me back to a distant memory of when this happened to Leira. A cacophony of alarm bells goes off in my mind, and I urgently grab Freya by her shoulders.

‘Freya!’ I shake her. ‘Frey—’

I let out a sharp gasp as she snatches my wrist and begins to sing in a low voice, ‘From decay and ruin, they reclaim their vengeance—’

Her grip becomes painful.

---