Page 98 of Kiss of Ice

Ruth sighed and reached into her voluminous pockets.

“I think I have some insensa somewhere… ah, here it is. Only a bit left but it should numb the pain a little.”

She smeared a little of the root gently over the bruising and Ren sighed as the soreness dialled down a notch.

“Gods, that’s better. How long will it last?”

“Long enough, hopefully. Now let’s get you into the dress. Luckily the top part is boned so it should give your poor ribs some support.” Ruth reached for the bag hung on the back of the door. “Close your eyes.”

“Close my eyes? How am I supposed to put it on?”

“I’ll help you. But I don’t want you to see it before it’s on.”

Ren did as she was asked. She heard the bag being unzipped, then the rustle of material being arranged.

“Hold onto me,” Ruth said. “And step forward.”

Ren stepped into the dress and waited as Ruth pulled it up. A strapless bodice closed around her breasts, holding them snugly as the dresser laced up the back. The material felt wonderful, thought Ren. Rich yet delicate.

“Okay. You can look now.”

Tentatively, Ren opened her eyes and gazed at herself in the full-length mirror. She gasped.

The gown was a glorious concoction of silk and tulle, the structured bodice framing her bust and nipping her in at the waist before cascading into a swirling froth of lace.

The artful construction made her look shapely and sensuous, yet at the same time fresh and innocent. And the colour was perfect – a delicate grey, the soft tint of a dove’s wing, which brought out the silver of her eyes and hair.

“By the angels and gods, it’s perfect,” she breathed. She stepped closer to the mirror, entranced by her own reflection. “You’ve made me look… you’ve made me look beautiful.” She choked up and Ruth hurriedly handed her a handkerchief.

“Don’t you dare smudge your eye make-up, my Lady. You are perfection, and you’d better keep it that way till the Emperor sets eyes on you. You’re going to blow his socks off. Which reminds me.”

The wiccan reached into her bag and brought out a large velvet box. She laid it on the dressing table.

“What’s this?” asked Ren.

“The Emperor had it sent over to me last night. Open it.”

Ren unlatched the box carefully. Inside was a silver tiara, the metalwork encrusted with opals and diamonds.

“It’s beautiful!”

“It belonged to his mother. He asked if you would like to wear it for the wedding.”

Ren felt her throat catch. Kam was giving her his mother’s tiara? She placed it on her head, securing it firmly.

“What do you think?”

“It’s the finishing touch, my Lady. And now all that’s left to do is get married. Are you ready?”

Ren gave herself one last look in the mirror. She raised her chin.

You’re going to be an Empress.

“I’m ready.”

Forty One

I’m so not ready.Ren tried to keep the smile plastered on her face as the carriage moved slowly through the streets of Arjhan. Crowds of people lined the route, waving flags as she passed. Small children jumped up and down in excitement, hoping for a wave from the soon-to-be Empress.

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