“You look beautiful!” she laughs, blinking away tears.
“Thanks,” Everly replies quietly.
I see Raiden slip in followed by Nymeria and Anika before shutting the door. By the look on his face, we aren’t going to like what he had to say.
“I hate to interrupt, but the queen wishes to see you both.”
Chapter forty
Everly
From the wardrobe, Zaria pulls out a beautiful pink dress that catches the light. My breath catches, and my heart races as I take in the stunning elegance of the dress she holds up. The top of the dress sparkles with silver glitter, with a sweetheart neckline and delicate, thin straps. The silver flows down, turning light pink at the smallest part of my waist and gradually getting darker. It flares out like a ballgown at my waist, layers upon layers of tulle with glittering rhinestones scattered throughout. It is gorgeous.
Nymeria and Anika trot over, their ears perked up as they curiously tilt their heads, studying the dress. I grin and reach out, stroking their heads. “It’s beautiful, right?”
Both wolves bow their heads in agreement, sandwiching me between them. I can't believe they are alive, that they have survived alone for this long. They were still only pups when my parents were killed.
“Let’s put it on, then.” Zaria grins.
“This is too pretty to wear now. This is a special occasion dress.” I laugh.
“This is a special occasion. You need to go out there and show everyone who you are.”
I swallow over the emotions rising in my throat and run my fingers over the dress again.
“Okay,” I whisper.
The twinkling rhinestones scattered amidst the fabric send a rainbow of colors reflecting off the walls as the soft rays of sunlight streaming through the curtains reach it. As Zaria takes it from the hanger, the whole feel of the dress adds a touch of enchantment to the room. It is a sight to behold.
Zaria places it on the ground, opening the top wide for me to step into it. Slowly she pulls it up my body, and I slip my arms in the straps, staring at my reflection in awe.
I find myself lost in my reflection, my fingers idly toying with the soft tulle of my skirt. My eyes tracing a path over my face, taking in my now pointed ears and green eyes. The mating mark that makes my stomach fill with butterflies. It’s impossible not to think back to how mindblowing the sex had been before I passed out. I want to get him back in bed. A blush covers my cheeks and Zaria clears her throat. Blinking, I meet her gaze in the mirror.
“Do you like it?” she asks nervously.
“I love it.”
I spin around, admiring how the skirt fans out around me, catching the sunlight on the sparkling gems.
Zaria claps her hands together, her eyes brimming with tears.
Startled, I pause and grab her hands.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s just . . . I knew you were her. I was hoping . . . ” she trails off and our attention drops to my arm where my birthmark is now fully displayed in dark raised lines.
There’s movement in Zaria's hair before Asrai peeps out, offering me a shy wave.
“Come. We must not keep her majesty waiting too long.” Zaria reaches out and runs her fingers through my hair. “I think we can leave your hair down. It looks magical.”
I peek in the mirror one more time, marveling at the beauty of the dress.
This dress makes me feel like a princess.
I turn to follow Zaria and see Asrai signing. ‘You are a princess.’
My step falters mid-step. How did she know what I was thinking?
