Page 97 of A Storm of Fire and Ash
The real me.
Yara gasped first, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh… my stars.”
Kalista took a step back, eyes wide as they traveled the length of me. “You look like you were carved from the night sky,” she whispered. “You look… like a goddess. I don’t know if I should grovel or run away screaming…”
I glanced at myself in the tall mirror again, almost not recognizing the woman in the reflection. That wasn’t Elara Valdusian. That wasn’t a woman made to bow or be broken. That was me—the real me.
Elara Valdusian Aetheron.
“Can I touch them?” Kalista asked, reaching up to my pointed ears.
“That is rude!” Yara snapped. “You never ask to touch a Fae’s ears!”
I laughed. “It’s fine, really. Yes, you can.”
Kalista reached out and ran her finger along the tip of my pointed ear. When she touched me, I turned my headsharply, barking like a dog, which made her jump back and scream.
Yara and I busted out laughing.
“You bitch! So not funny!”
Yara reached for my chin and then placed her hand on my cheek. A tear rolled down her face. “I never thought I’d actually see a real Fae. Or, that I’d see the real you. Beautiful, my child. You are perfect in every way.” I grabbed her wrist gently and placed a kiss on her palm.
Kalista spun away and slipped behind the dressing curtain with the soft blue gown Fintan had given me to wear. When she stepped out moments later, I nearly choked on a laugh.
“Gods, Kalista,” I grinned, hands on my hips. “You look like some winter nymph sent to seduce royalty.”
She twirled dramatically, the light silk catching in the candlelight. “Well, I am royalty material. I just needed the right dress.”
A knock sounded on the door. Eryn stepped in, and for a moment none of us spoke. She wore a sleek blue gown that hugged her tall frame like a second skin. It was simple—no frills, no glittering beads—but elegant and stunning in its own way. Her lavender hair had been left down, loose waves cascading over her shoulders, and there was silver glitter brushed around her sharp, silver eyes.
“Damn,” Kalista breathed.
Eryn raised a brow. “Wow. You two clean up nice. You, ugh, you gonna keep those ears?”
I arched a brow back. “Maybe,” I shimmied my shoulders. “You’re one to talk. Look at you in that sexy dress.”
Eryn gave a little smirk and shrugged. “Hey, I like wearing dresses. I just never do because I’m always busy training your stubborn ass.”
I laughed, and we turned toward the door where Gavrin stood, looking somehow more intimidating than usual in all white. His broad chest stretched the crisp jacket he wore, and his brown skin looked stunning under the candlelight. The silver streaks in his close-cropped hair caught the glow, and even his damn eyepatch looked regal. He said nothing, but the twitch of a smirk curved his mouth when his gaze landed on Eryn.
Then—Whistling. Makar strolled in with a swagger only he could pull off. His long red hair had been tied back, a few loose strands falling around his striking violet eyes. He wore midnight blue and silver, but the way he looked at the three of us, you’d think he was a wolf among unsuspecting lambs.
“Well, fuck me,” he drawled. “Don’t you all look like a gods-damn dream.”
His violet eyes trailed over me like I was a shooting star. “My gods, look at you in your Fae form… I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
I smirked, “You? In heaven? Doubtful. Must’ve taken a wrong turn on the way to Hel.”
Makar grinned widely then looked Kalista up and down like she was a snack. “Then thank the gods for bad directions.” Her cheeks flushed immediately.
I leaned in and elbowed her. “He’s the one you’re crushing on.”
Kalista gasped softly and shoved me with a hissed, “Shut up!” But Makar had already heard. His smirk widened.
He held out his arms dramatically. “Ladies.”
Kalista hesitated for only a moment before slipping her hand into the crook of his elbow. I took his other arm, and behind us, Eryn took Gavrin’s. I glamoured myself again and we made our way through the corridor and into the ballroom. And gods. It was breathtaking.
