Chapter 43
Sana gazed at herself in the full-length mirror.
Kezi and Eula sculpted her crimson hair into a half crown of braids with tiny diamonds weaved into her thick locs to match the thin silver chains dripping from the epaulets on her shoulders and the bodice of her deep burgundy gown.
Her lips were painted with a dark rose lacquer, while her cheeks, eyelids, and brown skin shimmered with a golden bronze.
She looked like a refined Lady, but on the inside she was itching with anxiety. She wrapped her fingers around her dragon's breath, nestled between the 'v' of her dress, and took a deep breath.
Everything will be fine, little flame.
Sune said, camouflaging himself in glimmering silver as he nestled on her shoulder.
You're ready for this.
Sana nodded, listening to the calming hum of her gem.
A soft knock sounded at the door, and her gems tingled against her skin as Rhyel's deep voice called to her. "My Lady, may I speak with you?"
"Yes," she breathed, turning around and a weight lifted from her shoulders as Rhyel stepped inside, radiating warmth and security with his tall, broad stature.
Her heart thumped and her throat dried as she trailed her eyes over his pressed black trousers, double breasted waistcoat buttoned over a burgundy shirt that hugged his broad chest and sinewy arms. A broach with a gem the color of his wolf's arctic blue eyes was nestled between two half moons clasped in the center of his collar while chains of polished silver swept over his shoulder fastened to a black half cape.
"Eula, Kezi, you may leave us."
"Yes, my Lord," they said. "My Lady." They bowed before leaving the room with smiles tugging at their lips as they closed the door behind them.
Sana swallowed to wet her dry throat as Rhyel crossed the room and her gaze traveled up to his freshly trimmed beard and thick glossy black hair that was braided back from his face and tied with a silver cuff at the nape of his neck.
He took her hand, and a flurry of tingles swelled in her belly at the tender look in his eyes. "You are stunning, my Lady," he said, bowing and placing a kiss on her fingers. "I'm honored to have the privilege of your company this evening."
"Thank you," she said as a blush burned over her cheeks. "But I assure you, my Lord, the honor is mine." She bit her lip as she looked down at her flowing skirts. "I feel like the maiden who was blessed by her fae-mother to go to the royal ball."
Rhyel chuckled as he caressed the back of her hand. "Would that make me your fae-mother, or am I the Prince who finds your glass slipper?"
Sana laughed, looking up at his teasing eyes. "I'm not sure," she said, wondering how his presence had become enough to ease her worries and wash away the last remnants of her biting anxiety. "Can you be both?"
"I could," he said, and her heart simmered at the grin that curled over his lips. "But only if you promise not to run away from me at midnight."
Sana nodded. "Well, I can only promise to stay as long as my fae-mother's spell lasts."
"Then it's a good thing you're not under a spell, my Lady," he said, slipping his hand to her waist and turning her around to the mirror. "This is real, Sana."
Her heart thumped as he slid his fingers over her wrists. Her skin tingled as diamonds in the shape of the phases of the moon wrapped around her wrists.
"You are not a servant and you are not useless," he said, with his blue eyes glowing as he brushed a kiss against her head.
Her breath hitched as an arctic blue gem, nestled between two diamond half moons, materialized across her forehead attached to thin black threads that glimmered like the midnight sky, weaved through her hair forming an elegant tiara upon her head.
"These jewels I've placed on you are a symbol of your status as the Lady of Darcanos, the future General of the north's grand warriors and my fiancé," he said, sliding his hands over her shoulders and his glowing, steadfast gaze sparked a simmering flame in her belly.
"You have nothing to prove to anyone on this tour. You are enough, Sana. Just as you are."
Her gems tingled against her skin and spread through her veins, fanning the flame Rhyel ignited inside of her as if to bolster his stirring sentiment.
Sana gazed at the shimmering diamonds on her wrists and the tiara around her head as she stared at their reflections. Rhyel's gentle heartbeat, thumping against her back while his alluring scent of pine and soap soothed her senses.
She was no longer the skinny, emaciated woman, who had no right to stand beside him when she first arrived in Darcanos.
But that never mattered to him or the people she'd come to know and love. They cared for her and helped her become the beautiful, healthy woman staring back at her. The woman who had glowing skin, shiny crimson hair and eyes that weren't dim with doubt anymore, but bright and filled with hope.
She still had so much to learn and so much to understand about her new life and her relationship with Rhyel, but right now, in this moment, she felt she had every right to stand beside him as his fiancé and Lady of Darcanos.
Turning away from the mirror, she looked up at him with a smile tugging at her lips as she gazed into his soft blue eyes. "You honor me, my Lord," she said, sliding her hand over his chest. "Thank you for bestowing these symbols on me and always giving me strength with your words."
"You're welcome," he said, sliding his hand to her cheek. "As I told you before, I'll be right here beside you and I'll always be your strength if you need it."
She nodded. "I know you will."
"Good." He caressed her cheek with his thumb and gazed at her as if there was more he wanted to say, but he pressed a soft kiss against her forehead instead. "Are you ready, my Lady?" he said, leaning away from her and holding out his arm.
"Yes," she said, slipping her hand in the crook of his arm and taking a deep breath. "I'm ready to go to the ball, fae-mother Prince."
A rumble of laughter left Rhyel's lips. "I love it when you have a go at banter," he said, leaning down to her as he opened the door. "Please do more of that tonight, my Lady."
Sana giggled softly. "I'll try."
"You look marvelous, my Lady," Kezi gushed as she and Eula bowed to them.
"Thank you, Kezi. You and Eula did your magic, like always."
"No, my Lady. You are the magic," Eula said, taking her hand as she looked between Sana and Rhyel. "May Accalia bless you both with her love and protection this evening."
"Thank you, Eula." Sana squeezed her hand as her heart swelled at the kindness of her words and the honor of such a blessing. "I will do my best to honor you and the people of Darcanos tonight."
"You just have fun, my Lady," she said, patting her hand before she bowed her head. "I hope you enjoy yourselves."
"We'll try, Eula," Rhyel said, as he gestured to the door leading to the steps to the spa at the end of the hall. "The inn and spa is booked until tomorrow afternoon. I hope you and Kezi indulge to your hearts' desires."
Kezi gasped, her eyes growing wide. "My Lord, you are too kind. Thank you."
"You're welcome. You've earned it," he said, bowing his head to them before looking at Sana. "Shall we?"
She nodded. "Yes."
Sana glanced over her shoulder as they continued down the hall and her heart warmed at the joy radiating from Eula and Kezi practically skipping through the hallway toward the spa.
Rhyel didn't have to do that for them, but she'd come to learn that's who he was. Not the fearsome barbaric Lord he let everyone believe.
She gazed up at him as they walked down the cobbled path to the waiting carriage, and Zena's words floated through her mind.
Wouldn't it be nice if he were your dragon?
It would be utterly impossible for Rhyel or anyone to be her dragon because she wasn't a phoenix and although Kal and Rhyel shared some likeness, she knew it was just her imagination making it so.
And she was okay with that.
A smile tugged at her lips as he helped her into the carriage.
She could always pretend that Rhyel was her dragon and his caring and protective nature was because of a timeless bond they shared.
There was nothing wrong with that.
A/N: Our Sana is off to the Ball! I love how Rhyel gave Sana her Lady of Darcanos jewels ?? That was so sweet and yes, I'm all for her pretending that he's her dragon ?? Hopefully soon...very soon she'll find out just who he is and realise what's inside of her.