Page 136 of Direbound
What the…
A dress lies waiting on my bed—a masterpiece of emerald silk and delicate black lace. Not the kind I described to Mom and Igor.
Thisdress could feed our whole neighborhood for a year.
I approach it slowly, Izabel and Venna’s gift forgotten in my arms.
The layered emerald skirts cascade like a waterfall, each tier trimmed with exquisitely beaded black lace that glitters in the light. The fitted bodice boasts more of the same beaded lace, emphasizing the heart-shaped neckline and capping the sleeveless shoulders in delicate, feathery veils.
It’s stunning, more akin to the extravagant gowns that the nobles wear to watch us fight than the lewd pieces of tied together fabric that the Bonded like to pretend are dresses.
Beside this miraculous confection lies matching black satin gloves and a pair of elegant heels.
I run a finger along the dress and gasp when I realize it’s decorated not in beads, but in actualjewels. Tiny sprays of emerald and obsidian in delicate swirls.
Only one person could be responsible for this.
There’s no note—no indication whatsoever of who left the dress here for me. But of course, I know. There’s only one person in this world who would give me such a gift.
Oh, Killian…
My thoughts drift yet again to his words when we were together the other night. Even if I wasn’t ready to call him mine in public, this dress says it all. It lays claim to me in a way that words never could. It will tell every person in attendance tonight that I am someone important, someone to be admired.
I set Izabel and Venna’s dress aside, hoping they won’t be hurt by it. I’m certain they’d want me to wear this one instead.
Suddenly, I want very much to go to this ball, if only to be seen in this dress, this gesture of love.
I wiggle out of my clothes and then slowly and reverently don the dress, careful not to dislodge any of the delicate jewels. It fits perfectly, like it was made for my body alone. Every detail has been considered, every element chosen with care.
This is what it means to be loved by a prince.
The heels are perfect, too. Just the right height, and much more comfortable than heels ought to be. I pull my mother’s opal necklace out from underneath the dress. Even though it looks worn and aged compared to the glittering jewels of the dress, it will compliment the outfit perfectly.
For the first time, I wonder if I might dance. It is a ball, after all.
Igor made me take lessons from a neighbor as part of my fight training.
Fighting is a lot like dancing, he said.You need to move fluidly, every motion precise and controlled. Learning to dance will help you anticipate your opponent’s movements and respond in time.
I laugh softly to myself. Who would have predicted I’d ever need to doactualdancing?
With the dress on, I head for the small mirror in my room. It’s not enough to see the whole picture, but I’m floored by the woman looking back at me. I saw a warrior seductress after Izabel and Venna’s initial make-over—and that was revelation enough.
But now…
The gown transforms me from a fighter into something… ethereal. I barely recognize the elegant woman my reflection presents. Between the dress and my mother’s opal, I look like one of the Bonded for the first time. Like I trulybelongin this world.
The feeling is foreign and not entirely unpleasant.
When I emerge into the Strategos anteroom, heart pounding, the excited chatter dies. The twins are seated on the couches by the fireplace, Nevah and Tomison beside them. I’m glad to see Nevah hanging out with everyone tonight. They all look up as the room falls quiet and a dozen other heads turn my way.
Wordless shock vibrates the air for a moment before Izabel’s delighted squeal shatters the silence.
“Meryn! What in all of Nocturna!”
The twins rush forward to encircle me. Tomison gives an appreciative whistle. Nevah shakes her head in amazement, lipscurving into a rueful smile. Across the room, somebody calls, “Damn, Cooper! Looking good!”
The twins pepper me with questions as they draw me back to the couch and start fixing my hair and makeup. Where did I get the dress? Is this a gift from my secret lover? Whoishe? He must be one of the Bonded—one of the richest ones, too.
