Page 93 of The Dragon 5

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Chapter fourteen

Omakase

Nyomi

An hour later, I barely recognized myself.

The women had worked in near silence—pinning my thick braids up simply, keeping my makeup minimal, letting the gown do the talking.

And God, did it talk.

I stood before a full-length mirror they'd brought in and saw a woman in the reflection I'd never met.

She was flame.

She was power.

The fabric moved when I moved, catching light and throwing color. The bodice hugged my curves like it had been made for my body specifically. The skirt whispered against my legs with every step.

I touched the diamond necklace and then smiled.

Naughty Dragon. I like this surprise.

"This way." One of the women gestured toward the door.

I followed.

We moved through the mansion in silence. Down corridors. Past rooms.

My heels clicked against marble. The sound echoed.

And then we stopped.

I knew these doors.

Hold on. Is this where we’re really going?

My stomach dropped.

The war room?

I looked at the women, but they were already stepping back, bowing slightly, and then leaving me alone in front of the massive double doors.

Why here?

The last time I'd walked through these doors, I'd been playing the role of sexy vixen. Form-fitting outfit. Bouncing breasts. Swaying hips. Clicking six-inch heels.

Every man in the room had stopped breathing when I entered.

I'd been performing confidence I didn't fully feel.

I'd been making an entrance.

But that was before.

Before the pyre.

Before the ash.

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