One
Sabina
Cold fingers brush against my back and I tense. Perla moves her hand, pulling the fabric tight around my waist. She holds it in place, then snaps her fingers at her assistant. The younger woman runs over, eager to help.
They work on something in the back of the dress, the two women hidden behind me as I stare at the mirror.
I don’t recognize myself anymore. What happened to Taylan? What happened to the woman who thought she could make things right?
She should have died in the fires that night. Lee—I clench my teeth. Not Lee—Ludis— should have killed me alongside them. Instead, he used me. A plan he’d had for who knew how long to regain his father’s favor.
He murdered my brothers.
He murdered his own sister.
He murdered the emperor.
Now he sits next to Caiden, plotting his own father’s murder.
And I play along, like the good puppet he made me into.
For a few days, I paced my room, telling myself I could get out of this. That I wouldn’t have to marry Caiden. That somehow the magic I gained could save me.
But what good is magic that can wake the dead when the threats against me are all alive?
“There. I think that does it,” Perla announces. She steps in front of me, her face alight with pride.
I don’t bother to force a smile. I might have to pretend I’m still Princess Sabina, but I don’t have to be happy about marrying the prince.
Perla’s assistant joins her, and she clasps her hands in front of her face as if in prayer. With a sigh, she lowers them. “You look stunning.”
The design is gorgeous and under any other circumstance, I’d revel in wearing such an exquisite gown.
The dress is fitted across the bodice and waist and cut low to expose my shoulders. While most of the fabric is a gauzy cream color, black lace adorns the top, then travels down my hips where they fade like icicles. The bottom of the skirts has more of the black lace reaching up like a living thing growing from the earth and climbing its way up. Bell sleeves trimmed with more lace hide the god marks on my arms. It’s a work of art.
“Prince Caiden is a lucky man,” Perla says.
“Yes, he is.” Only because he was cunning enough to hold my friends hostage in exchange for my compliance. Otherwise, he’d be dead. Now, it’s more likely Ludis will kill him for me. My fingers tingle, and I squeeze my palms into fists. I’d like to watch that. Then maybe my magic would be of use. I could bring Caiden back and make him kill Ludis. Wouldn’t that be something.
“Your Highness?”
I snap back to the present and see that Perla is standing in front of me, waiting for a response.
“I’m sorry, what was that?” I ask.
“Do you need assistance to get out of the gown now, or should we send for your ladies?” Perla waits, posture straight and proper.
I hesitate, unsure of how to respond. She doesn’t know they’re gone. Did Caiden hide it from everyone? When he made me join him to tell the court his father was dead, he only allowed men into the room, insisting it was too traumatic for any of the ladies to hear.
I suppose it was an attempt to cover up that he’d sent all of mine away.
What will happen if I tell Perla the truth? Will she relay the information to the duchess? Will anyone care?
Another idea strikes me, and I force a smile. “Will you please ask the Enforcer to call for my ladies on your way out?”
“Of course, Your Highness.” Perla inclines her head in a bow, and her assistant drops into a curtsy.
They gather their things, then leave me staring at myself in the dress I’ll wear when I marry Caiden tomorrow.
