Page 61 of The Lord of the Labyrinth

Kate pulled Caden close for one more hug. “Have fun with Rath.”

“It’s okay for you to have fun too, you know,” Caden whispered. “I know Dad and Mom don’t really let you have fun at home, but this is such an amazing place. You should have fun too, okay?”

Kate shut her eyes and squeezed Caden tight before she finally let go. Rath led the boy out of the room, leaving Eudora and Kate alone.

“You... you will send him home if I...” She swallowed hard. “If I fail to solve the labyrinth.” She didn’t make it a question. She needed Eudora’s word. “Because Roan never said what would happen to my brother. I was so convinced I’d win that I overlooked what would happen to Caden if I failed.”

The Fae princess looked puzzled. “Yes, but?—”

“Promise me.” Kate grasped Eudora’s hands, pleading. “He doesn’t belong here. He needs to go home. If I die... or if I have to stay here with Roan, I need you to promise that Caden will go home.”

She felt strangely desperate asking this, but her mind seemed more and more quiet, emptier of late. When Roan was around, she couldn’t seem to think about anything else but him. That had to be the Fae magic at work. She feared that if she didn’t solve the labyrinth, she might forget Caden altogether.

“Very well, I promise,” Eudora said. “Now, come with me. I must fashion a dress for you and craft a glamour that would fool even my brother.”

They returned to Eudora’s bedchamber, and the Fae princess simply began waving her hand in the air, and in a matter of moments she’d conjured up a dozen different dresses.

“Did you just make these?” Kate couldn’t help but reach out to touch the dresses that had materialized on the bed. They seemed to cover the rainbow of colors. She touched a pale-blue gown of watered silk that was embroidered with moonflowers.

“Oh no, I simply transported them from my official wardrobe, which is down the hall.” Eudora sorted through the dresses. “Ooh,” the princess cried out in delight, “perhaps something like this.” She held up a deep-purple dress of fine-spun silk. “We’ll have to change a few things, of course.” Eudora waved a hand, and the gown floated in the air as though it suddenly settled on an invisible mannequin.

“It needs sleeves, I think...” Eudora whispered, and two gossamer purple open-ended sleeves suddenly appeared at the tops of the shoulders. They draped down the sides of the gown, but Kate could tell from the style that they weren’t actually sleeves.

“Now to touch up the bodice...” The bodice was a plain purple bit of fabric split down partway so that it provided a tempting glimpse of skin down the breast line in a V-shape. The sweetheart neckline then grew into swirling patterns of silver embroidery that covered the purple fabric in Celtic patterns down the plunging neckline in the most beautiful way. The skirts then billowed out, the fabric creating an iridescent shimmer. It was sensual, powerful, beautiful.

“What do you think?” Eudora asked.

“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Kate confessed.

“Yes, I suppose it’ll do.” Eudora pointed at Kate. “Strip down and let’s get you fitted properly.”

Kate removed her clothes and lifted her arms as the dress magically floated down over her body. Eudora shortened the length of the skirts but left a three-foot train and the draping medieval gossamer sleeves, which fluttered down by Kate’s side.

“Hmm... your hair. That simply won’t do.” Eudora tapped her chin, then pointed a finger at Kate’s head. Kate turned to look at the mess of hair in the mirror, and her lips parted in shock. Her hair was now glossy in soft waves with a hint of curl. Threaded in her hair were pearls and glittering jewels on fine silver threads.

“I can’t believe it. I’ve never been able to curl my hair like this before. Believe me, I’ve tried.” Kate sighed dreamily at how perfect her hair looked.

“Oh, it’s easy. You simply tell your hair what to do and let it think it was its idea,” Eudora replied. “I’ve never understood why humans always try to use the most complicated methods when there are simple solutions.” Eudora laughed. “Now shoes and jewelry. What about these?” She held up a pair of slippered kitten heels embroidered with stars against an icy-blue fabric. Kate took them and set them on the floor. She lifted her skirts and slid one foot inside. The slippers fit perfectly and were shockingly comfortable. Next, Eudora turned to her dresser and opened a rosewood box, sorting through glittering gemstones.

“Yes, this is what you should wear.” Eudora held up a diamond-studded necklace with a silver crescent moon.

“Lift your hair.” Eudora guided Kate to turn around and lift her hair up. Eudora settled the necklace around Kate’s throat and tightened the clasp.

“There. Now all we need is a glamour to hide you from the prying eyes of the court. Close your eyes, Kate.”

Kate did so, and felt a warm wind surround her, tickling her skin and stirring her skirts and sleeves. Then it faded away.

“Open your eyes,” Eudora said.

Kate opened her eyes, and what she saw in the mirror stole her breath. Two iridescent purple wings trimmed in black edges, like those of a giant butterfly, formed behind her back. She hadwings. More importantly, she didn’t recognize her own face. She knew it had to be her face, but when she looked at herself directly, she saw only a mystery.

“Now, don’t try to use your wings. They are simply for show. And this will help as well. We use the masks mainly as a tease, but all the Fae tonight will be wearing glamour.” Eudora placed a silver mask over Kate’s face and tied it with black ribbons.

“Now you’re ready for a Fae ball.”

Kate, lost in butterfly dreams, stared at herself in the mirror, still not recognizing her own face, and wished she didn’t have to hide from Roan. What if he could see her being a part of his world and not just as some pet? Would he fall in love with her then? A tear dripped down her cheek, and Eudora gently wiped it away.

“Don’t cry, Kate.Please. Mortal tears are too powerful to waste, and they will give you away if any of my kind see them.”

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