Elle smiled. “I told you I could manage it! You’ll have to make it through once more, unfortunately.”
“I didn’t doubt your abilities for a moment!”
“Oh, please. I’ll teach you how to do it next time.” She waved her hand, beckoning me. “Come on! Alessnae’s shop gets busy in the afternoon. We shouldn’t waste any time.”
Following her through the crowd, dodging in and out of people as we ran, I felt an excitement I hadn’t felt in a long time. It felt good to get out of the Consortium. Damn good. Something so simple—to get away for the day—and though an act of rebellion I would likely pay for, it was thrilling.
Elle stopped short so swiftly I nearly slammed into her. Seeing her stare, starry-eyed up at the sign, I knew we were there. Wood stained a deep burgundy hung above the door, painted with gold filigree detailing, and in big, elegant lettering read ‘Alessnae’s Alterations and Creations’. In the windows, magnificent gowns of silk, velvet, and brocade draped over mannequins shared the space with intricately embroidered cloaks.
A sweet, singsong voice greeted us upon entering; I assumed it was Alessnae, an Elven woman with curled ginger hair tied up behind her head with a wreath of pale white flowers. “Good morning, ladies.”
“Good Morning.” Elle stepped forward. “We come from the Consortium in Nil’Faerith. We were hoping you could outfit us for an upcoming ball in two weeks’ time.”
Alessnae’s brows rose sharply. “That is not a lot of time.”
Elle frowned. “I know I am asking much of you. If you’ve already made something that you can alter, that would be perfectly acceptable. The Consortium rarely hosts events of any kind. It is a dream of mine to own a dress of your creation, but the opportunity has never before presented itself.” She cupped her hands in front of her chest. “I am a Mage of the Consortium. In addition to the price of your work and whatever fees are associated with the rush nature of the job, I would be happy to assist you with some minor enchantments around your shop.”
Elle was really laying it on thick. I was glad I’d decided to leave the convincing to her.
A sigh left Alessnae’s lips, but in the same breath she smiled, and I knew we’d won. “Head into the back room and take off your clothes. I will need to take your measurements.”
“Thank you,” I offered as I walked past her.
“Yes, yes. Go along now! I have little time, thanks to you two.”
We quickly obeyed, stripping down to our undergarments and tossing our clothes on the nearby chair.
Alessnae started with Elle, brows knitted in focus as she measured every part of her body, marking down the numbers on a paper on her desk. “You have soft, feminine features,” she said quietly, continuing to measure. “I think a flowing silhouette will suit you, paired with a corset to accentuate the curves you have. Something in light colors. Silk. How does that sound?”
“Yes!” Elle responded loudly, before clearing her throat. “That sounds lovely. I trust your judgment.”
Her attention shifted to me. “Next.”
In the center of the room, I stood up as tall as possible. I was self-conscious of what had become of my body since I’d been off the Phoenix Heart. I was back to where I’d been all those years ago, scrawny and gaunt and sickly-looking. I’d put some muscle back on from training my magic, but since the incident with Alandris… it was as though I’d taken a step backwards once more. Attributing my beauty to my physical appearance was silly, but it was a difficult mindset to change. This was the one part of my ‘different’ that I could control. My hair, my eyes, my skin—that wasn’t changing. In a way, I’d obsessed over my physique, because it was something I could change at will, and losing that hurt.
“Is something wrong?” Alessnae whispered, starting her measurements at my neck.
“I’m—I’m not sure what would look good anymore.” I groaned. “That sounds awful. I don’t know. I don’t dress up. I don’t know why I care. I don’t care. I mean…”
Alessnae chuckled. “Then allow me to take the reins. I am a fantastic judge of what will look good on a woman, and more importantly, what will make them feel good about themselves. The vision is already painted in my mind—I know exactly what will suit you. Can you trust me?”
I bit my lip. “Yeah, I can trust you.”
She smiled. “Good. Let’s leave it a surprise. I promise I won’t disappoint.”
We paid up and left, deciding to head back to the Consortium rather than linger in the city. As much as I wanted to browse the shops and indulge in an enjoyable meal, the thought of someone noticing our absence made my stomach turn. Elle—high off the euphoria of securing a dress from Alessnae—was equally eagerto return. She had a family—a sister, she wanted to write to and tell of her delight. I supposed my reaction to the dressmaker was not quite excitable enough for her.
Admittedly, I’d been somewhat terrified that Elle had only taken a couple of hours to draw the runes for our return trip, rather than the two days she’d taken for the first go around. She’d set up her supplies in a somewhat seedy back alley, but thankfully, we’d had no interruptions. Not that I believed anything could distract her. She’d been so focused she’d completely ignored all the random questions I’d sent her way to fill the time. In my boredom, I’d started answering them myself in a fairly well-done impression of her.
The second round of teleportation did not go nearly as poorly as the first—sickness-wise. Though the panicked feeling of drowning was still there, the eerie silence no longer suffocated me. I closed my eyes and focused on the thoughts swimming around in my head. Unsurprising that the one thought I’d been avoiding had floated to the forefront. Clear as a bright morning sky, the image of myself tangled up with Alandris presented itself.
Anything else would be preferable. I tried to shift my thoughts to lessons, to magic, to steel. But as quickly as I’d cast the image aside, it returned, clearer and more vivid. I’d never seen Alandris make such a face, one of pure adoration and tranquility, yet my mind had filled in the gaps seamlessly. The only expression he’d ever directed at me was one of irritation, and once—only once—concern. Aside from those emotions, he was unreadable. A closed book.
I was spared from pondering over the male any longer when the heavy weight on my lungs lifted and my boots made contact with the wooden floor. Once more, the colors and sounds of our room hit all at once, and I squinted my eyes as they slowly adjusted to the influx of light. I was still reeling from the spellwhen I heard Elle gasp next to me, and I looked up and followed the direction of her gaze.
There, lounging across my bed, with his feet kicked up in the air, and a sharp-toothed grin, was the Fae who’d gotten me into the mess my life currently was.
“You two have been very naughty.” Laughter bubbled in Jyuri’s throat. “Nairu, why don’t we speak privately?”
