Page 112 of Ashes of Aether

It seems nothing I can say will persuade her.

She pulls the sheets from my head and tucks the edges around my shoulders. “Anyway, you have a trial and a date to recover for, so you’d better get back to sleep.”

Though I know I will be unable to sleep, I don’t protest any further. Eliya glares at me until I close my eyes, and I decide that she might be even more terrifying than my father.

Thirty-Two

“And...perfect,”Eliyasays,slidingthefinalhairpinintomyupdo.Thedelicategemsontheendtwinkleatmeinthemirror.

I glance down at myself. This time, Eliya talked me into wearing a dress even more ridiculous than what I wore to meet Nolan on Tuesday. This one is a deep mauve, with flowers embroidered into the satin. And by the gods, Eliya has pulled the corset tight. My poor breasts look as if they may burst at any moment, and the corset can’t be helping my injuries. Though I’ve mostly healed from the Trial of Mind yesterday, I still feel rather tender. Not that I would admit it out loud.

Eliya convinced my father to attend all of his meetings today. I’m not sure what time he will come home, but I’m hoping it will be late before he does. He’ll be furious if he learns that I’ve gone out, and if he catches me in this ridiculous dress, I will have no excuse to offer him. Eliya said she’ll keep watch, but I don’t know what we’ll do if he arrives back before me. Maybe she’ll think of a way to smuggle me into the manor without him noticing. If anyone can pull that off, it’s Eliya.

My father wouldn’t be wrong to be annoyed, though. Iwasbadly injured, and the Trial of Magic is far more important than a date. But I also can’t bear to sleep for a moment longer. At least this date gives me a reason to escape my bed.

“Don’t you think I’m showing too much skin?” I ask, tearing my gaze from the mirror and turning to Eliya.

“Nonsense!” she replies, glancing over my bare shoulders and arms. Thanks to the copious layers of Blood Balm, my skin is mostly healed now. There are still some raw patches from the flames, but Eliya helped me conceal them all with illusions. The enchantment should last for a few hours. “But if you’re worried about being cold, then I’ll find you a shawl.”

I will need a lot more than a flimsy shawl, since it’s the middle of Winter, but I don’t protest as Eliya starts over to my chest of drawers and rummages through them. Besides, I can simply murmurcalidaand warm myself from the inside out if I feel chilly.

“There,” Eliya says, returning to me and draping a translucent pink shawl over my shoulders. “How does that look? I think it matches quite well.”

I give her a hesitant nod, though the shawl doesn’t hide the main problem I have with my attire—namely the excessive cleavage I’m currently exposing. “What if the corset bruises me?”

Eliya rolls her eyes. “Heavens, I didn’t pull it that tight!”

“What if I can’t have a normal conversation with Nolan?” I try instead.

“Why wouldn’t you be able to?”

“Because what if he’s too busy staring down here”—I point at my chest—“rather than my face?”

Eliya grins wickedly. “That’s the entire point.”

I slap her shoulder, but her laugh only grows.

“You’ll thank me later,” she promises me with a wink.

I scoff at her. “Anyway, I’d best get going. It’s probably long past six.”

“Relax,” she says. “You don’t want to show up too early, or he’ll think you’re too keen. And if you decide to break his heart, he’ll be even more distraught.”

Despite her words, she lets me leave my room. She follows me all the way downstairs and out the door. It’s already dark outside, and the stars twinkle high above.

“Good luck,” she says as I start down the few stone steps.

My stomach churns. My hands already feel clammy, and I haven’t even teleported myself to The Old Dove yet.“Do you think things will go well?”

“Of course they will,” she replies. “You look stunning, thanks to me.”

“What if I say something stupid and make a fool out of myself?”

“Don’t worry, you already made a fool out of yourself on Tuesday.”

“Thanks, that really helps.”

Eliya shrugs. “He still asked you out on a date, so just be yourself. Apparently he likes that. Besides, it doesn’t matter what he thinks about you. What matters most tonight is your opinion of him. You’re the one who needs to decide whether you like him or not. So, you have no reason to be nervous.”

---