Page 133 of Riftborne
“And he sent gowns for you to pick from?” Her eyebrows peaked as she stood on the tips of her toes, fingers twisting in anticipation.
A sigh escaped my lips before breaking into an exasperated smile. “It’s that chest.” I pointed across the room. “Do your worst.”
Osta immediately unbuckled the clasps and started digging through, throwing all hues of fabric across the room in a frenzy.
CHAPTER 48
After two hoursof Osta forcing me to try on every gown in the chest, she left to go tend to Lady Soleil.
It wasn’t long before I was retrieved from my room, the attendants ushering me to chambers located at the peak of one of the towers.
The circular space was cast in green, the emerald, stained glass windows creating jewel-like patterns on the floor. Great balcony doors were propped open on either side of the room, giving a spectacular view of the city below and snow-capped mountains in the distance.
An overflowing clawfoot tub sat in the middle of the floor, flower petals dancing across the surface. Steam was rising from the warmed water, and the crisp air moving through the room carried the scent of teakwood and vanilla.
I almost jumped out of my skin when the attendant silently stepped behind me, trying to lift my blouse.
“Uh-um I appreciate your help, but I will undress myself…” I stuttered, stepping away from her reach. I neared the edge of the tub and quickly slipped out of my garments.
I sunk beneath the surface of the water, out of the cold and away from the strangers' curious stares. I’m sure they were wondering who I was to be receiving such treatment. I was wondering the same thing.
Once I had bathed, the ladies worked on my hair. I had to admit the combs felt wonderful gliding over my scalp and down the expanse of my back.
A fire roared somewhere out of sight, and from it, they retrieved a metal tray with rods glowing red from the flames. I glanced at them curiously as the women slipped on protective gloves, taking sections of my hair and weaving them around the rods until they flowed in smooth, perfect curls. The sides were effortlessly swept back and clasped with an elaborate emerald hairpin. Fitting for the setting and what I presumed to be another gift from the General.
“Have you been missing sleep dear? You have quite the dark circles under your eyes. I have a pigment that would cover this. Shall I use it?” She was already looking for it amongst the other compacts and bottles.
I let out a snort, imagining how odd I would look if I suddenly lost the shadows that had plagued me my entire life. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine without.”
This didn’t stop her from adding a rosy hue to my cheekbones and painting my lips a shade of deep scarlet.
“Alright, have a look and see what you think,” she instructed, and I finally allowed myself to look in the mirror.
While this was probably the closest to royalty I’d ever felt, I did notice the darkness around my eyes was more prominent than normal. My fingers reached up to touch my skin. My opal irises stood out in stark contrast.
Maybe the restlessness of the last few days mixed with the long travel had affected me more than I thought.
A part of me still felt out of place. Perhaps I always would. Butthe other half of me felt…really fucking pretty. Even more so because Laryk had arranged all of this himself.
CHAPTER 49
I tookin the cavernous view of the ballroom below. The walls were much like the rest of the fortress, carved out of gray stone and lined with emerald stained glass.
Moonlight filtered in from above. Candles and mounted torches illuminated the space, casting a golden shimmer over the massive room. Aossí twirled to the sounds of live harps and flutes playing haunting melodies.
The bodies moved in unison, performing a dance that must have been tradition for the people of Emeraal. I looked around, trying to find a familiar face in the crowd, but I was still too far above.
I moved to take my first step onto the marbled stairs, lifting the lengths of my dress so as not to trip.I had felt the weight of the gown as soon as Osta had tossed it in my direction back in our shared room–luxurious butheavy.
Black fabric cascaded down my frame, weaving around my arms in delicate patterns before descending into waves of black lace that created a train in my wake. My shoulders were left bareas the neckline’s star-dusted edges dipped into a perfectvacross my chest.
I reached down, adjusting my dress. I had hidden two of Ma's breathing vials under my waistband, and they shifted as I moved.
I gripped the railing hard as I lowered myself down the stairs. Eyes turned in my direction, and nerves began prickling the back of my neck.
Laryk was nowhere to be found.
As I reached the bottom stairs, my heart was fluttering wildly in my chest. There were so many Aossí looking at me now, parting to create space. Their eyes were a mixture of wildness and curiosity.
