“Catch.”
I catch the glass bottle out of the air and read the label. “You want me to smell like a flower?”
She doesn’t even bother to look at me. “Yep. Go.”
“I bet you didn’t go through this much when you and Thorne got together,” I say to her back.
“You’re right. We jumped in bed first, andthenwetook a bath together.” I scrunch up my nose, and she laughs. “You’re the one that brought it up.”
“I really wish I hadn’t.”
“Stop stalling, Harper. Go take a bath.”
That’s about how my entire day goes. Trinia barks orders, and I obey...eventually. By the time she finally finishes, I’m starting to get worried I’m going to miss the event all together. “Stop fidgeting,” she says for at least the hundredth time today. I hold myself still as she paints my lips.
“I need to help Auri.”
“Rauk will make sure she’s got help for tonight; don’t worry about it,” she assures me. Still, I won’t not worry until I see she’s actually dressed and ready for tonight. She’s got a star roll tonight; we’ve been preparing weeks for it. I’m not going to let hermiss her big night. Nerves run through me, and I bounce my leg nervously again. “Harper,” Trinia warns. I try to be still; I really do. Finally, she steps back. “Okay.” I stand up immediately, and she takes a step back. “What are you doing?”
“I’m obviously going to find a mirror.”
“Nope.”
I stare at her. “What do you meannope?”
“You don’t get to look in a mirror, at least not yet.”
I stare at her. “You’ve lost your mind.”
She grins. “No, I haven’t. I want Rauk to see you first.”
“Why can’t I see first?”
“Because I want him to describe what you look like first before you look in a mirror.”
I stare at her and blow out a frustrated breath. “Fine.” I stride over to the door and yank it open.
“No!” she nearly shrieks at me.
I whirl around. “What is wrong with you?”
She laughs. “I’ll get Rauk; you stay here.”
“Why can’t I get him?”
She shakes her head. “Because if any other male gets an eye full of you before he does, he may literally take off their head. And I’m really not exaggerating.”
“You are so full of it. Fine,” I wave her off. “Go get the psychotic king.” Her laugh stays with me, even after she leaves. As much as I want to look in a mirror, I don’t. I pace while I wait, feeling so uncomfortable. I’ve never worn something like this before. While the neckline isn’t plunging, it’s definitely different than anything I’ve ever worn before. Speaking of things I’m notused to, I move and my leg slips through the lengthy slit in this dress. Added to all this is the fact that I’m not really sure what she did to my hair, but I know it’s way more than the single braid I usually do. Suddenly, the door opens behind me. I feel his presence, but I don’t turn around. I’m suddenly terrified.
“Well, if the front view is even half as good as the back view, I am a huge fan,” he says in a low voice behind me, making me laugh.
I turn around, and his smile drops completely. His eyes run the length of me, starting at the top of my head and running all the way to my feet before they travel back up my body again. Then he does it again. His eyes finally meet mine. I’ve seen a lot of looks from Rauk, a lot ofdarklooks. But the look he’s giving me now? I’ve never seen anything like this look. “If we didn’t have a crowd of people waiting out there,” he says in such a delicious low rasp. He makes me feel something that I’ve never felt before I met him—beautiful. I walk towards him slowly, making sure to work the slit to my advantage. By the time I get to him, he’s literally breathing hard. I slide my hands up and over his shoulders and run my fingers through the back of his hair in that way I know he loves. “Harper,” he growls at me. He starts to lift his arms, but I dance away from him.
“No touching. These jewels are like weapons.”
He starts towards me. “I don’t care if you have blades all over you; I’m touching you.”
I laugh and let him catch me. This time, I don’t stop him as he pulls me close. I stare up into those dark eyes and cock my head to the side. “I think you like this dress.”
