Page 148 of In Violent Waves

“What do we wear to this?”

“Daisy is getting everything ready for you,” Maelys replied.

“Okay … but you didn’t answer the question.”

Maelys’ smile turned feral. “Just wait and see!”

A gownof ocean waves was hung beside the windows of Lyra’s room. Swirls of pearls were stitched to resemble sea foam on the nearly black navy skirts, and the bodice appeared to be the deepest, darkest depths of the ocean. It was enchanting.

“Do you like it?” Daisy asked, twisting her hands in front of her.

Lyra stroked a saltwater pearl and stared with awe at the straps of silk that would hang off her shoulders.

“No.”

Daisy and Maelys gasped.

“I love it,” Lyra finished, turning towards them with a beaming smile. “It’s perfect! Thank you both so much.”

The joy she felt was familiar—like the feeling she had with Wilder during the tour. It was sweet but also bitter. Lyra knew it wouldn’t last and that she would leave all of this behind.

Daisy clutched her chest, and the ruffles of her servant’s dress fluttered with the movement.

“That was not nice.”

Maelys gripped her arm and nodded. “I didn’t care for it either.”

Lyra frowned. Wilder would have thought it was humorous.

“I was merely teasing. Of course, I love it. It’s gorgeous.”

Daisy stepped towards her and placed her hands on her hips.

“You need to bathe, and I still need to do your hair and makeup, so let’s get to it, or you’re going to be late.”

“What are you wearing?” Lyra asked Maelys.

“I had something made, too. I’m going to get ready, and I’ll be back to escort you,” Maelys replied over her shoulder as she sauntered out the door. “Good luck.”

Lyra didn’t know if it had been for her or Daisy.

Hours later, when she had been scrubbed, plucked, and pinned within an inch of her life, she knew it had been for her.Daisy helped her step into the gown and then cinched it up tight around her waist.

The sleeves were off her shoulders, making her neck look longer and her breasts larger.

“You are a goddess,” Daisy muttered, stepping back to admire her work.

Lyra couldn’t help but spin, and when she did, a smile stretched her lips wide.

“I feel like one, too.”

The door opened, and Maelys appeared, looking like a forest nymph. Her gown was layered with varying shades of green, and small flowers were scattered around the hem and grew up to her waist. Like she had stepped through the forest and into the castle. Her golden-brown hair was curled, and a flower crown rested on her brow.

“You look?—”

“You are?—”

They started at the same time.