Page 117 of Journey to the Elderoak
Fanya shook her head. “Unfortunately, no. Pax is working.”
“Oh, right. Pax!”
“Yes. I’m surprised you remember. You were quite inebriated when we spoke about this.”
“Don’t remind me. That explains why he was looking at you like that when we left the suite.”
“Yes,” Fanya said with a small giggle.
“Speaking of Pax,” Ava said. “How’s he doing?”
“You mean after losing Zeph?”
She nodded.
“As good as he can be, I suppose. They’d been assigned to that suite for the last thirty years. She was his best friend.”
Ava swallowed the lump in her throat as the memory of Pax sobbing over Zeph’s body flashed through her mind. They hadn’t assigned another guard to their suite, apparently due to Pax’s protests and the reassurance Casimir was in there as well. Ava didn’t want a new guard. She wanted Zeph.
“But let’s not talk about that now,” Fanya said, interrupting Ava’s thoughts. “We must get you a dress that will take everyone’s breath away.”
Ghorza emerged, carrying several gowns which she placed upon an empty rack. “Alright, Your Highness. I think one of these will do nicely.”
Ava set her goblet down and stood. She undressed and Ghorza helped her step into a deep blue gown. She ran her hand along the sweetheart neckline and the bodice where thousands of beads blended into the shimmering skirts.
“It’s lovely,” said Fanya. “But that’s not the one.”
“It’s not like I’m getting married,” Ava said as she turned around.
“True. But this is the first time you’re being presented to the kingdom. Your dress must be perfect.”
“Oh. I haven’t thought of it that way. This really is a big deal, isn’t it?” she asked, fidgeting with the beads.
“Very much,” said Ghorza. “It’s quite exciting, too.”
Ava gave her a wan smile. “Well, let’s try the next one then.”
She tried on three more dresses, all different colors and styles, but none of them seemed to stand out the way she and Fanya wanted them to. Feeling defeated, Ava stood before the two of them, this time wearing a golden gown she hated. The color washed her out and made her look paler than she already was.
A light appeared in Ghorza’s eyes. “I completely forgot. I think I have just the thing! I’ll be right back.”
Ava took a seat, uncomfortable in the scratchy material. “This is a bust, isn’t it?”
“No. We’ll find something. I promise.”
Ghorza returned, holding a stunning sage green gown. “This is the one,” she said. “I know it.”
It was beautiful. Ava rose to slip out of the golden eyesore, ready to be free of the itchy fabric. After Ghorza helped her adjust the back and sleeves of the new gown, she turned to Fanya.
Fanya clapped her hands. “Ghorza, you’re a genius.”
Ava turned back around and looked in the mirrors. She was speechless. The dress was perfect. Sheer fabric formed the tight bodice with a plunging neckline while lace detail covered herbreasts and stomach, continuing into the chiffon skirts. The open back dipped to the curve of her rear, and off the shoulder sheer sleeves flared as they flowed along her arms, ending in more lace.
And though it was as revealing as the dresses she wore in Saxumdale, she didn’t care this time. Because she’d begun to grow proud of her scars. “They’re badges of courage,” Casimir had said. Ava’s heart warmed at the memory.
“I love it,” she whispered.
“Cas is going to lose his mind,” Fanya said.
