Page 45 of Smoke and Lure

Kai stared at the lovely dress; she’d never seen anything so breathtaking from where she came from.Some of the Drahkelles wore elegant, flowing dresses as they went through their daily tasks or were in the Great Hall during evening meals, but Kai had never conceived she’d wear something so beautiful.

As she stepped closer, Tana took the glass from her, freeing Kai’s hands to touch the garment.

“Is this lace?”She reached toward the dress and lightly brushed her hand over the bodice, which had such intricate designs and stitching, as she trailed her fingers down over the soft layers of the skirt.

“It is.Adding a little here and there didn't take much time.”Anala swept the lower end over her arm and held it out for Kai to examine closer.

“This is too much,” Kai said, standing stunned, but she couldn’t help gliding her fingers over the delicate fabric.

“Nonsense.”Anala waved her comment away.“If you look, you will see I’ve only done a little more than the standard embellishment.My team and I have done similarly to dresses, tops, and hems of pants for the white clothing female Drahks will pick up for the ceremony.If I went overboard, it would be because your role tonight is special.”

Kai glanced up into the woman’s eyes.“If you’re sure.”

“I’d be honored to see you in it this night.”

“Your uncle will stand proud before the Great Spirit,” Tana assured her.

Feeling giddy for the first time that day, Kai nodded.“Thank you, Anala.Thank your team, who I know are working hard today.”

Anala gave a slight shrug and gestured to the wall rack of ceremonial apparel.“Not so much.Sadly, we are always prepared for such an event, even if it has been a while.”

“Well, you have helped me find a little strength and peace about what I must do tonight,” Kai shared honestly.

A small, pale-green flame flickered in Anala's eyes.“I’ll get this wrapped for you to take.One moment.”

While they waited, Tana chose a sheath-style dress with lace at the wrist, and Ladon held a folded white vest and cargo pants.

More Drahks came in, grabbed something, and left, offering Kai a nod or a smile as they went about their tasks.

“All ready to go now.”Anala came out carrying a neatly folded bundle of chiffon and lace held together with wide satin ribbons.

Tana passed Anala the glass, collected the dress before Kai could reach for it, and added it to the pile she carried.

Kai thanked the leader again before they headed out of the building.

Forty minutes later, they reached the Mckenna building.

“Go on up and get settled, and I’ll bring you something to eat before you rest.”

So exhausted, Kai didn’t even try to argue that she could get her food or consider eating in the hall below where Ladon went.After hours of walking across the territory, she only had enough energy left to crawl into bed, but since she was pregnant, she knew it was essential to put something in her stomach first.

Nodding, Kai went up the stairs.A yawn overtook her as she pushed open the door to their suite with ease.She made her way to the closet to change out of her dusty clothes into a robe before she went to the bathroom to wash her hands and face.

She glanced in the mirror and felt like she had aged two years since leaving that morning with Aodh.A lot had changed for her, and she felt as if she had a better grasp of who she was now that she had met Drago and heard the story of her family’s origins.

Exiting the bathroom to sit in the chair next to the bed and wait for Tana, Kai thought about not only the words she would need to say that night but also how she would share the news with Morlie.

Tomorrow.She’d ask Aodh if she could radio her sister tomorrow.

It was Kai’s last thought before her eyes drifted closed.

Hours later, Kai was rested, fed, bathed, dressed, and finishing her hair.

“I see you are already ready to go.I wondered if I would need to heat your bathwater.”

Kai finished twirling the last curl of hair around her finger as she met the gaze of the pretty Drahkelle in the mirror and smiled.“No, after I woke from my nap and was eating, Tana prepared the water for me.”

“Well, it's undoubtedly for the best; you probably don’t jump at the flame anymore.”Ninki shrugged one toned, bare shoulder.Her white dress was a crisscrossed halter with a wide opening to show off her cleavage.The skirt flowed to just above Ninki’s knees and her hair was in one long braid dangling over a shoulder.

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