Page 446 of Knox Academy Omnibus
“For goodness’ sake, Amelie!” Elsie snaps. “Sit still and let the damn professional do their job.”
“You know I hate anyone but you doing my hair and makeup, Els,” I complain.
“I think you can suck it up for one day. I am a little busy,” she retorts.
I sigh and do as she says, knowing that she wants today to be perfect just as much as I do. Months of planning have gone into this event, and Elsie designed every last detail to fit what she envisioned. The team of hair and makeup artists are simply carrying out her bidding, and woe betide them if they don’t get it right.
I relax back into my dressing room seat, appreciating the comfy chair and the abundance of natural light streaming through the large windows. It’s a beautiful venue, but when Elsiesuggested we hold it here at my uncle Dirk’s manor I was on the fence. I was fearful that too many bad memories would spoil the day. Of course she got her own way, arguing that Dirk’s rebuilt mansion was actually the perfect place to start making new memories as a family.
A knock at the door distracts me, and I look up in time to see Kalen’s cheeky grin peeking around the door. He wolf whistles, and Elsie’s face turns to thunder.
“Get out! Get out! Get out! You’re not supposed to see the bride before?—”
“Pretty sure that’s the groom, not?—”
“GET OUT KALEN KNOX OR SO HELP ME GOD I WILL GUT YOU LIKE A FISH!” she screams. Kalen pales, mouths “I’m sorry,” blows me a kiss and disappears. No one messes with Elsie these days. Especially not today.
Who knew when she joined The Order that she’d turn out to be one of the most adept knife throwers that we’ve ever seen within our ranks – or that we’d end up finding it such a valuable skill. Even Baxter has picked up a few tricks from her over the years. All new recruits go through an initial course of training with her, and many choose to stay on and take their blade education further. Elsie and her skillset have proved very popular. Jasper is a very brave man taking her on.
“He was probably just telling us to watch the time, Els,” I tell her softly. She stomps over to where I’m sitting, and the poor makeup artist backs off, terrified.
“They’ll wait as long as it takes.”
“I know, babe,” I tell her placatingly.
“What the hell is this?” Elsie asks, losing it when she sees the artist’s handiwork. “It looks shit! I said alightsmoky eye, not a sodding black eye! And this lipstick doesn’t suit her colouring at all. She looks like a clown! It’s a goddamn wedding not a circus! Do you know how important today is? Everything has to beperfect! She’s my best friend. Get me the wipes. There’s no way she’s leaving the room looking like this!”
The makeup artist bursts into tears, but Elsie does have a point. It’s not what she asked for. Still, I have to grit my teeth as Elsie scrubs my face so hard I swear she removes several layers of skin alongside the war paint.
When I’m fresh faced, pink and sore, Elsie huffs and begins to do my makeup herself.
“I can do it,” I hastily offer but she slaps my hand away.
“Get off! If you want something done properly you have to do it yourself. I mean it, Amelie. I want today to be perfect.”
“It will be. Itis,Els. I promise.”
She harrumphs and gets to work on my face. Thankfully my hair met her high standards and got the seal of approval, otherwise we would be running seriously late.
Once she’s satisfied, we help each other into our dresses. Elsie runs her hands down her dress, smoothing out invisible wrinkles.
“Are you sure I look okay?” She asks, worrying her bottom lip.
“You look absolutely stunning!” I tell her.
“I know that.” She laughs and shakes her head. “But can you, you know, tell?”
“With that corset? No way. Besides, you'll be holding flowers for the most part.”
“You will be too.”
“Yes, but I’m not the one trying to hide a baby bump.”
“Shh!” Her eyes go wide in panic.
“It’s only us in here, Els. Calm down!”
“I know. But I don’t want to jinx it.”
