The water cooled. I turned off the faucet and stepped out of the shower, grabbing one of the towels. Soft and thick—at least Wally didn’t skimp on linens.
I patted myself dry and reached for the dress.
Then I unfolded it completely and groaned.
A corset. Seriously?
I held it up, staring at the laces. There was no way I could do this by myself.
Unless...
Tinker Bell had taught me a simple spell for getting dressed. I’d used it a handful of times when I was running late. Hopefully I could manage it without my magic going haywire.
The alternative was asking Hatter for help, and that wasn’t happening. I’d rather walk out of here naked than give him the satisfaction. Or worse—owe him something else.
I closed my eyes and focused. The words Tinker Bell taught me floated to the surface.
“Vestem induere.”
The magic rushed out of me—too fast, too eager. The undergarments flew up and onto my body. Then the corset wrapped around my torso and the laces began threading themselves through the eyelets.
So far so good.
Then the laces yanked tight.
I gasped. They pulled tighter, squeezing my ribs. I couldn’t breathe.
“Stop,” I wheezed. “Stop!”
The magic didn’t listen. It never listened. The laces cinched again, crushing the air from my lungs.
Black spots danced in my vision. I stumbled toward the door and slammed my palm against it.
“Hatter!” I could barely get the word out. “Help!”
The door flew open. He took one look at me—half-dressed, corset strangling me—and his eyes went wide.
“Can’t... breathe...”
He spun me around. I felt his fingers at my back, yanking at the laces.
“Hold still.”
“Trying,” I gasped.
Steel sang. He’d drawn a blade. One quick slice and the laces gave way.
Air rushed into my lungs. I sagged forward, pressing the loosened corset against my chest with one hand. My magic had failed me.
Again.
And Hatter had to come to my rescue. Again. I couldn’t even look at him.
Hatter rubbed my naked back. “What happened?”
“My magic...” I lowered my head as my whole body went hot with embarrassment. Even something as simple as gettingdressed I couldn’t do. Another reason why I didn’t fit in with the coven. “It went awry again.”
“Again?” He raised an eyebrow. “What did you do?”
