Chapter 58 Vera
Vera
I’d hoped to see Ikar before dinner, but all is quiet when I reach my room after bathing.
I didn’t have time to wash and dry my clothing, as I have nothing else to wear, and now that I know Ikar is alive and well, I loathe donning my blood-stained apparel—especially for dinner, where I know it’ll garner attention.
Rupi soars into the room as I open the door, and I gasp when the first thing I see is a pile of deep-purple flower petals strewn across my bed. My first thought is that it might be a romantic gesture of some sort from Ikar, but when I pick up one petal… others follow, and I realize it’s a dress.
“What…?” I pull the entire dress up until it hangs in front of me from shoulders to toes.
“I made it for you.”
My head whips to the side to see the little nymph in the flower petal dress sitting on the squat stool, swinging her legs and grinning somewhat shyly. I should’ve figured she made it; it’s almost an exact match for the miniature version she wears.
“Thank you. It’s beautiful,” I say sincerely.
Rupi chirps in agreement from her perch on the bedpost.
“It’s for dinner tonight. I thought purple might be nice.” The nymph continues kicking her small feet.
I nod, looking down at the dress again. The back dips quite low, but if I leave my hair down…
“Do you truly like it?” she asks.
I look straight into her sparkling, innocent eyes, and shove my doubts aside. “I love it.”
She rewards my answer with a bright smile and hops down. “I’ll help you dress.”
“Oh, that’s okay, I’m sure—”
Her face falls. “Do you not plan to wear it?”
I sputter for a moment, looking down at the dress. It simply doesn’t seem as if there’s enough substance to wear it. What happens if the wind blows? I have concerns.
But the look on her face.
I smother a groan and force a wide smile. “Help would be nice.”
Within minutes, my clothing has been replaced with the petal dress as the tiny nymph uses vines in a corset fashion to tie the back while I slip a pair of velvety soft leaves fashioned into slippers onto my feet. I wiggle my toes, reveling at the softness. I may need a pair of these to take home.
The little nymph finishes tying and skips to stand before me while eyeing me carefully. She narrows her eyes, then darts forward and plucks a petal from the dress in one spot, then another.
I block her from snatching another and laugh nervously. “I need all the petals I can get.”
She ignores me and plucks one more. I’m about to snatch her in my hands to keep her from removing any others, but she finally steps back, appearing pleased.
I look down. I have to admit, the dress is stunning.
The petals are a gorgeous shade of purple, wide and round, sewn together in layers that cascade down my body.
A row of petals make up the straps over my shoulders, the bodice has a sweetheart neckline that I’m pleased to see doesn’t plunge too deep, and the bottom is full enough to walk normally, but not too big.
With no mirror available, I can’t see the back.
I can tell it’s not low, but it’s low enough that my mark will show.
“Now for your hair.” She eyes my somewhat damp, frizzy hair, and drags the stool over to me before she plucks a flower from the nearby table. “I’d hoped to use this.” She blinks at me as she spins it slowly in her hand.
These nymphs are more dangerous than they look, getting whatever they want from me with a simple, sad look. They’re as bad as Rupi.
“As long as you leave it down.” I lift a brow in warning.
I’ve already told Ikar what I am; I don’t need to hide it… it’s simply habit and comfort to keep it covered. I remind myself that years’ worth of instinct and fear won’t be erased in a day. If I feel ready to show him tonight, I will. But it’ll be on my terms.
She pulls me down to the stool. I acquiesce with a sigh, knowing if I don’t like the style, I can simply change it before I leave.
The scent of flower petals on my skin and the gentle fluttering of her fingers with the lightest pulls and tugs in my hair has me so relaxed I nearly topple off the stool when she steps back.
“All finished.” She clasps her hands before her, appearing pleased with her work.
I reach a hand up gently to touch my long brown hair now hanging in smooth, silky waves around my shoulders, and the purple flower has been artfully tucked above my left ear. I may not be able to see it, but I can tell it’s beautiful.
“Thank you,” I say quietly.
I stand, and Rupi perches near my neck, greedily eying the thin strap of purple petals on my shoulder.
“No eating the petals. I can’t afford to lose anymore.
” I narrow my eyes as she shuffles nearer, side-eyeing me as if waiting for me to look away before snatching one.
“I mean it. This dress has to last the entire evening,” I warn her.
It’s already so fragile I worry that a strong breeze will blow away the bulk of it.
She blinks innocently at me.
“Time to go,” the little nymph says brightly, almost bouncing with impatience.
She grabs my hand, and I laugh as I let her tug me out the door.