Page 28 of Her Ivory Flame

More white fabric was placed beneath it, dropping farther down her leg with a long slit cut into it on both sides.

Even in formal wear, they still looked like warriors in her kingdom and she would honor that still. She might not have a home to return to yet, but she was going to make sure everyone knew she intended to.

Raine had braided her hair into a traditional Valkyrie crown style, one thick braid around with loose hair and small braids under it. She had not done anything with her hair like this in over a century, but she could feel the familiarity seep into her.

Lastly, she had dug through her bags and found her most precious addition to the whole outfit, one she had kept packed away out of shame for a long time.

Holding her Mjölnir necklace in her hand, her eyes stared at it with a heavy feeling pressing into her chest and she forced herself to take a deep breath. She handed it to Raine, who took it gently and fastened it around her neck as it laid between her cleavage.

Raine smiled at her in the mirror, her own eyes racking over the familiar figure staring back. This is who she was supposed to be and it felt familiar, but at the same time it felt so foreign.

“Coming.” She yelled back, taking in a deep breath before walking out to the males waiting for her.

A smile formed on her face as she watched both males freeze in place, their eyes glazing over slightly as she walked around the corner to them.

“I'm guessing by the expressions on both your faces, you approve?” she chuckled and continued to walk towards them.

Kaden stayed silent, training his face back into his normal stoic blank expression and she rolled her eyes. Silas on the other hand, the look on his face made her want to melt as she continued walking.

“You look stunning.” Silas’s voice was barely audible.

Her eyes gazed over both of the males as she approached, both in royal attire made for special occasions and she found herself looking past Silas.

Kaden had a black cotton shirt with a few upper buttons undone in the front that showed part of his chest, his hair up in a neat bun and a brown leather vest showing the king's crest over it, hisleather belt holding his sword. He had cream cotton pants that fit looser than the fighting gear, and brown boots that laced almost up to his knees.

Silas stood closer to her, wearing the same outfit but had a small piece of white and silver fabric around his wrist that matched hers. His hair was combed to one side, the front barely falling forward towards his eyes.

“Well, you both look handsome as well.” Her eyes wandered back to Kaden, who she could see noticed her Mjölnir necklace before averting his gaze, and then she turned to Silas. “Shall we?”

Silas held his arm out to her, Kaden following behind as they made their way to the ballroom. She knew this was the final step in her return to society, and she was glad to have Silas with her. She even felt at ease with Kaden accompanying them, as odd as it felt.

They had walked through the castle in silence, the sound of music getting louder as they approached the ballroom. She had her arm looped around Silas’s the whole time, Kaden in step behind them casually glancing around for threats as they walked.

She saw people entering the giant doors at the entrance, their names being announced as they entered per the social standards in the kingdom. She stopped a few yards away, her breathing starting to get away from her as the weight on her chest pressed in.

‘1, 2, 3..’

“You got this.” Silas’s calm voice helped soothe her nerves slightly but the thought of being surrounded by so many people still kept her anxiety lingering.

“At least one of us will be with you at all times.” She turned to face Kaden, surprised by his words and the soft tone of his voice. He didn’t look at her, his eyes on alert and looking around at the people arriving in the carriage nearby.

“He’s right,” Silas reassured her before tugging her along to the door.

They stopped at the entrance, and looked to the male standing next to the door holding a sound cone to project his voice.

“Name?” he asked, looking at her then both males around her.

“Alyra Adair, Princess of the Valkyrie,” she said with her chin high watching his eyes widened.

“Silas Hawthorne, Royal Guard.”

“Kaden Caddel, Royal Guard.”

The male swallowed in disbelief, but turned to the crowd with the cone in hand.

Kaden walked up to her side, his arm held out to her but he didn’t touch her. He was giving her the choice, which meant he at least respected her enough to know her boundaries. She knew it meant nothing, just a tactic to show everyone she was under their protection and she slowly looped her arm into his. She didn’t flinch at the contact, their combat training having some effect on her.

“Welcome Alyra Adair, Princess of the Valkyrie. Accompanied by two Royal Guards Silas Hawthorne and Kaden Caddel.” the male’s voice boomed through the crowd.