Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“What do you think I should wear, Betsee?” I crossed my arms and debated which to choose among the hanging gowns in my wardrobe.
All twelve elaborate gowns that the tailor had crafted would suit the ball this evening, my ball, but attending royal balls wasn’t in my repertoire.
I had no idea which was best, so I hoped the lady’s attendant would.
Betsee pursed her lips and filtered through the dresses with her four hands, gowns turning every which way as she inspected them.
My parents had told me the guests would begin arriving at eight sharp, and it was already half past seven.
All that was left was choosing the gown and jewelry since Betsee had already done my hair and makeup.
She’d even placed a tiara on my head, insistent that it was customary for princesses to wear such things at official balls.
“Definitely not the black one. It’s a bit too daring and may give off the wrong impression to Lady Kimmip.
She can be a bit of a prude.” Betsee brought one hand to her mouth and tapped her lip.
Her other three hands continued inspecting my options.
“The red would be wonderful, especially this shade, since it’s one of our kingdom’s colors.
But if not that one, then I would suggest the teal.
While that’s not a color of our kingdom, it would complement your coloring and be a breath of fresh air since most don’t wear that shade. ”
I beamed. “The teal it is.”
Betsee pulled the gown out and shooed me to the dressing area. Near the door, Kole stood watch. I could feel him tracking my every move, and my blood began to heat just thinking of what he’d done to me.
Last evening and this morning, after I’d practiced mistphasing—unfortunately, with no improvement whatsoever—Kole had spread me before him to feast upon, wringing climaxes out of me several times over.
Each time, he’d spoken of how he had to attend to me as my warrior.
That it was his duty to please me and keep me safe.
It’d made me giggle afterward each time, and I was over the moons that he’d chosen to act on our mutual attraction and that we’d found a way to trick the Council’s magic.
The only thing I regretted was that he hadn’t yet allowed me to pleasure him, still citing worry over the Council’s magic being triggered, but I was itching to get my hands on him, even though I doubted my parents would find him suitable.
But I had no intentions of ending our secretive tryst anytime soon.
It’d only just started, and after all, I wasn’t getting married tomorrow.
Behind the curtain, Betsee pooled the gown at my feet and swished her hands. “Step into it, then turn around, my lady.”
I did as she instructed, and she lifted the dress, then aligned the unique straps that tied around my upper arms like bows. It was a creative design, and once the ties were bowed, the final effect was stunning.
“Oh, Betsee. This was an excellent choice.” The silky gown was fitted throughout my waist and hips.
It clung to my curves, and the bodice had a sweetheart neckline that was bunched to form natural texture while highlighting my breasts.
A long slit was cut into the draping silken skirt that billowed around me, and it sparkled nonstop in the fairy lights thanks to the gems the tailor had sewn into the fabric.
Thousands of tiny teal jewels of various shades had been adhered to the skirt. Darker teal adorned the skirt’s bottom, but the jewels lightened as they moved upward, creating a beautiful array of brilliant, shadowy color, and every time I turned, the material glinted and shimmered.
Once the dress was on, Betsee’s numerous hands secured the hundred buttons up my spine. After finishing that, she helped me slip into teal heels, and I admired the large jewel on the toe of each shoe. Finally, she bedecked me in jewelry.
A beautiful diamond necklace encircled my throat, and matching earrings dripped from my ears. Both pieces complemented the diamond tiara in my hair.
At my wrist, I still wore the blue cuff, but its color was close enough to the gown’s shade that it didn’t stand out too sharply.
Betsee sighed in contentment. “There, all done. You are a vision, my lady. Come, you must see yourself.”
She led me from around the screen, and the second I was in Kole’s line of sight, his entire body stiffened.
Even from a distance, thanks to my sight sensory magic, I was clearly able to see his flared nostrils and pupils blown wide open.
He devoured me with his gaze even though he stood ramrod straight and hadn’t moved an inch, but if looks could heat, I would be on fire.
I gave him a knowing glance, our gazes locking briefly. Insides quickening, I did as Betsee instructed and stopped before the full-length mirror, then gasped.
“Oh, Betsee. You did a magnificent job!” I’d never seen myself dressed so splendidly. Between the shimmering jewels, my hairstyle, and the expertly applied makeup, Betsee had made me appear whimsical and truly breathtaking.
She preened and dipped her head. “You shall have everyone speechless at the ball, and you will no doubt make quite an entrance at your return to the Mistvale court.”
Hearing a reminder of why I was bedecked in such finery had my stomach tumbling.
This ball was being held so my parents could welcome me back into the royal family.
I was to claim my place at their side. And while neither the king nor the queen had openly instructed me to assuage any worries the ten House nobles may have, they’d hinted at lunch that it would be nice if I tried.
In other words, I needed to assure everyone that I was mentally stable and no longer a wee child who had tantrums at a whim and commanded those around her whenever someone displeased her.
I fingered the cuff at my wrist, twirling it around. Magic hummed from it, but at some point, I hoped I could take it off.
Forcing a smile, I reminded myself that all it would take was time. Eventually, the entire kingdom would see that I wasn’t a threat. Optimism returning to me, I beamed at the servant. “I best be off then. Thank you again, Betsee.”
A blush formed on her blue-tinged cheeks, and she curtsied. “It was my pleasure, Your Highness.”
Ready to go, I nabbed one of the potions off my desk that my mother had provided for me. She’d given me over a hundred tiny vials of the concoction and had made me promise to use one every time I consumed anything tonight, even water.
I figured she’d told the tailor as well because all twelve of my new gowns had deep pockets stitched into the skirts. I dropped one of the vials into my pocket, then glided toward the warrior at my door.
Stopping before Kole, I gave him a cheeky smile. “Would you be so kind as to accompany me to the ball?”
His throat bobbed, his gaze again skating over me. “Of course, Your Highness.” He opened the door, his huge sword shining as brightly as the gems upon my gown. Bowing, he waited for me to pass.
In the hall, it was just me and the warrior, and side by side, we ventured toward the common area where all of the royal wings converged.
“You take my breath away.” Kole’s deep voice rumbled to me, his words like a whisper since he’d said them so quietly.
I batted my eyelashes playfully. “Is that so?”
He growled low in his throat. “You know you do. I can’t take my eyes off you.”
“Well, that’s probably good since you’re my warrior who’s been sworn to protect me.
It’s probably best if your eyes never leave me.
” I brushed closer to him and said in a teasing tone, “I may need you later tonight, to keep me close and assure me that you’ll keep me safe.
I’ve been feeling positively threatened all evening, and I fear only your experienced hands will be able to suppress my worries. ”
His expression didn’t change, but I could have sworn he was working to suppress a smile. “As your assigned warrior, I take your safety very seriously. I shall endeavor to do whatever’s needed to ensure you don’t feel threatened.”
I pinched my lips closed so a laugh wouldn’t spill out, and with his stoic mask crumbling, Kole smiled. Actually smiled. I didn’t think I would ever get tired of seeing that dazzling display upon his face. Every time he grinned, it transformed him.
Nostrils flaring, he inhaled, then dipped his head and whispered into my ear, “Careful, Your Highness. Your scent’s become quite aroused.
If you continue to emit such a mouthwatering fragrance, I may be forced to return you to your chambers to thoroughly inspect every inch of your skin beneath that gown, just to check for any wounds you may have suffered today while you practiced your mistphasing. For your own safety, of course.”
Breathless, I squeezed my thighs together, nearly stumbling in the heels.
“Well, we’ll just have to see if these strange and fearful responses from me continue, and you are correct.
If I do have a wound that I’m unaware of, it would be dreadful if it weren’t treated properly.
I will do whatever is needed for you to ensure I’m safe and protected, for my own well-being, of course. ”
His lips curved again, but just ahead, laughter carried to me from down another hall, and some of my happiness and joy from Kole’s and my flirtatious banter dimmed.
My sisters were walking together, their arms looped around one another’s. But instead of greeting me when they neared, they both turned the other way and breezed right by me, heading down the opposite direction toward the ballroom. It was as if I didn’t even exist.
My heart fell, and a low growl came from Kole. “So insolent,” he muttered under his breath.
I shrugged and couldn’t help but notice that Koraline had worn a long-sleeved gown. I wondered how many times she strove to hide her scars. “I suppose I can’t blame them. They don’t really know me, and all they remember of me are horrible things.”