Page 121 of The Wolf and the Chimera
“I’ll shower and change and then we’ll go,” I interrupted.
Kalli scoffed. “You can’t see the dress before the ceremony, Ryder. It’s against tradition.”
“Itisbad luck,” Elle agreed.
“I don’t know if you noticed,” I said and clenched my jaw, “but we kind of already broke tradition.”
I looked at the spot where Elle’s mark was and raised my eyebrows pointedly. Anger flittered in Elle’s dark eyes, but she forced a smile and looked at my mother.
“Could you excuse us for a second?” she asked sweetly.
Kalli nodded, and I slammed the door shut.
Elle led me into the bathroom and spoke in a low, rushed whisper.
“I’m going with her,” she said. “Your mother is trying to do something nice, Ryder, and besides that, no one knows I was able to use my power without the sorceress using me. I shouldn’t be so tired I can’t try on a few dresses.”
I hated her sound logic.
“I don’t care,” I insisted. “You’re not leaving my side.”
Elle recoiled. “Is that an order?”
I gritted my teeth. “Does it have to be?”
Elle stepped closer, and though I stood a head taller, she managed to look down at me. Red flickers of light glittered in her eyes.
“I am your mate,” she said, “not your subordinate.”
I sighed. “I know.”
“Then let me do this,” Elle said and took my hands in hers. “It’s just dress-shopping with your mom. It would clearly mean a lot to her, and it will keep Lyall thinking that I wasn’t capable of helpingthatmuch during the battle. We need them to trust us until we make our next move.”
I hesitated, and Elle clasped my face with her hand.
“Circe told me to find out why the High Witch doesn’t make a move against Lyall,” she said. “Maybe this will help me discover the truth.”
Circehadbeen adamant about discovering all the secretsheld in the estate. If anyone were to know them other than Lyall, it would be Kalli.
My thoughts drifted to the woman standing on the other side of our suite door. I had always judged her for being more of a lapdog to Lyall than a mate.
I couldn’t treat Elle like that.
I wouldn’t.
“One hour,” I agreed. “Please, Elle, don’t be gone longer than one hour.”
She nodded and reached on her toes to press a brisk kiss to my lips.
“I’ll be back soon,” she promised.
As Elle left, hand-in-hand with my mother, I realized that in my gut, I didn’t think Kalli would harm my mate and prayed she didn’t shred the last remnants of my faith in her.
???
Elle
Standing in front of the three mirrors, I basked at my reflection. Throughout my life, I had loved clothes. I loved fabrics of different textures, patterns, and colors. I loved unique silhouettes and glittering embellishments.
