Almost hidden.
The tiny feathers curled upward along the skirt, growing lighter as they rose—scarlet feathers becoming vermillion, vermillion becoming gold.
And at the bodice, where the brightest flames blazed, the structure lifted like wings unfurling.
Oh my.
The architectural lines swept upward from the waist, and those golden feathers took flight at the neckline.
A phoenix.
My heart stuttered.
It wasn't just a fire gown. It was a phoenix gown. A creature born from flame. A thing that blazed and rose anyway.
What is he saying with this gown? Or am I putting too much symbolism on this?
Someone cleared their throat.
I turned.
A woman with a velvet case rose from her chair and approached.
“The Dragon wants you to wear this with the gown.” She opened the case before me.
Diamonds.
But not ordinary ones.
These diamonds glowed amber and tangerine. They were flames trapped inside jewels.
"They’re fire diamonds." She lifted them out of the box. "Extremely rare."
“Gorgeous.” I stared at the necklace, the earrings, and the delicate bracelet. Each stone blazed with color, throwing warm light across the velvet.
I’m not imagining things. He is definitely leaning into symbolism.
He'd given me fire to wear around my throat.
Fire for my ears.
Fire for my wrist.
After a morning of ash and death, Kenji was draping me in flames and asking me to rise like a phoenix.
"We have ninety minutes," the silver-haired woman said. "Shall we begin?"
I looked at the phoenix gown.
At the fire diamonds.
At the team of women waiting to transform me.
Fire had tried to break me this morning.
Maybe it was time to wear it instead.
"Yes. Let's begin."
