Page 99 of Gilded Cage (Kovalyov Bratva 1)

She doesn’t tell me how she knows all this. I don’t ask. Something tells me I won’t like the answer anyway.

25

Esme

An hour later, Alice stands up and looks at me with satisfaction.

“There,” she says. “You’re perfect.”

I turn back to the mirror, really looking at myself this time.

Alice has done an amazing job. She’s kept my makeup natural, matching my skin tone perfectly. She’s highlighted my eyes with bronze and charcoal eye shadow, and teased out my eyelashes so that they look much longer than usual. My lips are nude with only a slight hint of pink and my cheeks glow with just the faintest touch of rouge.

Thin braids frame my face and sweep into a delicate knot at the back of my head. The knot is clasped in place by a wreath of seed pearls that twist in and out of the bun, along with the braids.

Only a few stray locks of hair have been kept lose, a deliberate choice to frame my face and add to the romantic, dreamy feel of my bridal look.

“You’re a vision,” Alice says like a proud mother.

The funny thing is, I actually believe her.

“Now, it’s time to put on the dress.”

The moment she says those words, I go pale.

It just feels too real. Too much.

The reality of what I have to do next settles over me like a weight I can’t move.

“No,” I say softly.

“Esme, love, I know this is difficult…”

“I can’t put on a dress,” I say, dangerously close to tears. “I… can’t get married.”

Alice grabs my hands and gets ready to say something.

But before she can, the door bolts open. Alice jumps to her feet and backs away, releasing my hands as she turns to Crew Cut and Blue Eyes.

“She’s not ready yet,” she stammers.

“It doesn’t matter,” Crew Cut tells her. “The ceremony is about to start.”

“You can’t make me do this,” I say, getting to my feet.

For the first time, Crew Cut meets my eyes.

“If you don’t do it yourself,” he tells me, “we’ll be forced to get involved. Do you want us dressing you?”

My heart thuds unevenly in my chest. I know what will happen if I fight them. They’ve made that more than clear.

“Get out,” I spit at them. “I’ll be out in fifteen minutes.”

The moment the door closes, Alice’s team rushes forward with the dress. I try not to stare at it too much, but I can’t help but notice that it really is a beautiful gown. Made of silk and chiffon, its A-line skirt is simple and classic and its bodice is worked with the same seed pearls that have been woven into my hair.

Once the dress is on, something is attached to my head and the veil is inserted right after.

I don’t bother looking at myself in the mirror.

---