“Well, don’t just stand there.” Hailey practically shoves me inside, and Minju giggles next to her.
I consider bolting back outside.
“Your Majesty.” My lady-in-waiting steps forward and bows with her hands folded neatly in front of her. “I am honored to help you get ready for your wedding night.”
“Miok.” I smile, her presence calming my frazzled nerves a tiny bit. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
The doors slide closed behind me, and my friends’ soft laughter quickly fades away. For a split second, I want to yell at them to come back.
“The king will be here for his bride soon,” Miok says gently, but I startle anyway. “Allow me to get you ready.”
I gulp as my eyes dart around the honeymoon suite. It really is lovely, but all I can think is that I’ll be sharing the room with Ethan. I press my hand against my fluttering heart.What is the matter with me?It’s not like we’ve never made love before.
But this will be our first time as husband and wife.
Ethan and I are bound by the threads of fate, but once we consummate our marriage, we will bechoosingeach other for all time. When we make love this time, it will be a vow to love and cherish each other forever.
Blowing out a shaky breath, I follow Miok to the bathing chamber and step into the warm bath she prepared. She washes me with gentle care and guides me back to the honeymoon suite. I sit where she indicates, while she carefully brushes my hair until it gleams. Then I offer her my pulse points to dot with fragrant oil.
Miok helps me to my feet, then leads me to the armoire. She pauses and clears her throat, and I blink out of my daze. I’ve never seen her discomfited before. “Your friends have left strict instructions to dress you in this ...”
She reaches inside the armoire and holds up a tiny, off-white thong. The lace triangle in the front is minuscule. A nervous giggle bubbles up my throat, but I take the panties from her and slip them on under my robe. The scrap of satin feels ridiculously soft and surprisingly comfortable.
“I am not sure what this is,” my lady-in-waiting continues, frowning down at the next piece of lingerie, “but the fabric is exquisite.”
“It’s called lace, and I think you’re holding a garter belt,” I hedge. “I don’t know how that works, either, so we’ll have to figure it out together. Let me see the rest.”
The remainder of my wedding-night ensemble consists of a matching white lace bra and sheer, thigh-high stockings in the softest beige, edged with more delicate lace. I sigh in relief when I find a relatively simple, off-white nightgown, cut low in a deep V with delicate spaghetti straps.
Miok dresses me efficiently, despite her unfamiliarity with the mortal undergarments. It doesn’t occur to me to look at the label until she holds the nightgown out to me.
“La Perla?” I gasp. Even I know the luxury lingerie brand. I must be wearing thousands of dollars in satin and lace right now. “Fuck me.”
Well, you only live once.
Secretly happy, I raise my arms in the air for Miok to slide the nightgown over my head. The silky fabric falls down my body, all the way to the floor, and I almost groan from the decadence of it all.
“You look beautiful, Your Majesty.” My lady-in-waiting turns me toward the mirror.
My lips part on a soft gasp, and I run the tips of my fingers over the lace lining the V of my neckline. I look both angelic and sexy as sin, and I turn away blushing. Then a wicked smile slowly lights my face.
I might bring Ethan to his knees, looking like this.
“I will take my leave now.” Miok bows.
“Thank you.” I take her hand in mine. “For everything.”
“You are most welcome.” She squeezes my hand. “Be happy, Your Majesty.”
I nod wordlessly, not wanting to make any promises, and my lady-in-waiting leaves the room with another bow. But I stare after her with unseeing eyes.
Maybe ... Icanbe happy.In this moment.Ethan and I might not have long, but I can still be happy in every moment I share with him. Even if we only have today. Even if this is the last time.
We can be happy together.
With one last look in the mirror, I close the armoire and stand beside it. Suddenly, my nervousness returns full throttle, and I don’t know what to do with myself.I still have time to run before Ethan gets here.I’m being ridiculous, but my heart disagrees, beating out a bruising ruckus in my chest.
What happened to cherishing every moment together?
