“My pleasure, darling.” She paused to take a sip of her tea. “Thank you for killing the monster that breached our walls.”
“I will kill them all, someday,” I told her, raising my chin.
Cerilla’s cup clanked down a little to firmly. “That’s what I am worried about,” she murmured. “Anyway, this morning’s visit is not about monsters and killing. It is about your wedding dress.”
Nerves swam through my stomach, and suddenly my tea tasted sour.
“It is Obsidian Court tradition to wear black. But you are a goddess, so, I am thinkingsilver.Like a star shining inthe night sky.” Would it upset his Court to go against tradition, would it upset the Commander?
“I like silver but?—”
“Good!” She clapped her hands together with a brilliant smile. “I have had the seamstress make your dress already. But if you want anything changed, we can make it happen.” She beamed with genuine excitement and my heart warmed. I had started to love the idea of my life in the Obsidian Court. Never leaving the Commander’s side, training with Solas, sharing tea and gossip with Cerilla, even Riven could stay.
He hadn’t come to see me since he’d kissed me, but Cerilla assured me his leg was healed. It felt like he was avoiding me, though I wished he wouldn’t. He was merely trying to help, and after not seeing him for so long, I found myself missing him.
Cerilla stood and walked to the double doors of the suite, flinging them open with both arms. Six maids walked into the room, a Fae male in a tailored suit and white hair leading them. He smiled widely. “Cerilla, darling, you were not exaggerating! She will look fabulous in my creation!”
An hour passed while I stood in the centre of the room, getting pinned into the most beautiful dress I had ever seen.
Ronaldo fluffed out the train and I stared in wonder. It was breathtaking. The material was like a waterfall of stars, shimmering with each tiny movement.
The strapless bodice formed to my curves and plunged between my breasts. The material gathered at my hips before flowing around my legs.
Some of my scars would be visible, but I didn’t care anymore. If anything, they were physical proof that I was strong, asurvivor.
The silver looked like it belonged against my pale skin,making the vibrant clear blue of my eyes appear even brighter.
“Absolutely beautiful,” Cerilla said with a dazzling smile. “You have out done yourself, Ronaldo.” The seamster blushed, bowing his head at Cerilla. The way other Fae responded to her made it obvious they feared her. I should have noticed back at the inn that something was off.
The door began to open, and Cerilla cursed, extending her hand out. Magic pulsed against the door, a shimmering darkness that stopped whoever was on the other side from being able to enter.
“Cerilla, let me in my fucking room,” the Commander yelled, radiating urgency.
“She is honestly fine without you for a few hours, brother. Go about your business.”
His growl rattled the door, and I didn’t bother hiding the smile curving my mouth. The truth was, I wasnotfine with being apart from him.
Cerilla pushed harder against the door, clearly struggling to hold her brother at bay.
“You better get her out of that dress before he breaks the door down,” Cerilla gritted out towards the maids. They scurried towards me, helping me to undress.
Just as I got my silk dressing gown over my shoulders, the doors slammed open and Cerilla made a disgruntled noise.
The Commander’s eyes were wild, the darkness consuming them completely. “Everyone out!” The maids scrambled out like frightened mice and Ronaldo followed them with his head bowed, my wedding dress clutched to his chest in its bag.
“What is it, brother?” Cerilla asked, taking a small step towards him.
“I said everyone, Cerilla, that means you as well.”
Cerilla huffed, spinning on the heel of her slipper and walking out with her black skirts billowing behind her.
The Commander walked towards me and gripped my waist with his large hands urgently. It would have made me flustered if it weren’t for the anger pulsing through the bond.
“You told me you killed the priest. The one who punished you for your father, yes?”
I froze under his touch, not understanding the urgency in his voice.
“I used his own blade to stab him in the heart,” I said softly.
