Page 62 of Her Ivory Flame

“Then I guess I will sleep in the bed with you since the couch is taken.” he smirked back.

“No.” Kaden growled, a low rumble coming from his chest and she could see his shoulders tense on his back. “You can have the couch until morning.”

She watched Silas’s eyes glare back at them but he knew he couldn’t argue. If there was to be a fight between the men, Kaden was the sure winner and Silas knew it.

Sleep was pulling at her eyelids even though she was on edge, the emotional rollercoaster taking its toll on her and she turned to head back to her bed without another word. She heard Silas say her name but she didn’t turn to acknowledge him, he wasn’t worth her time anymore.

She pulled her blankets back and welcomed the warmth that still radiated under it. Words were still being exchanged around the corner but she didn’t have the capacity to try and listen. Sleep wastaking her quickly, the last thing she remembered was the feeling of the bed sink next to her and the scent of lilac filling her nose.

- - - - - - - -

Sunlight was bright on the other side of her eyelids and she put off opening them for as long as possible.

Her bed was empty and the smell of lilac gone when she first awoke from her deep sleep.

She knew it was later than she would normally wake but she didn’t care. They had been going non stop for days trying to plan the city defences, and trained every single day before that.

Kaden could be mad at her all he wants, she wasn’t training today.

“My lady.” Raine’s voice sounded a few feet from her and she opened her eyes to see the blonde maiden standing on the other side of the bed. “I’ve been told to take you for a walk today.”

“A walk?” she said in a sleepy tone.

“Kaden was asked to see the king without you and Silas went with him. You have two guards waiting outside to escort you.” Raine set a formal dress on the edge of the bed and she gagged at the look of it.

“I’m not wearing that.” she groaned.

“I know.” Raine chuckled. “I brought it to you to alter. I’ve been researching what your kingdom used to wear and thought you might be able to make something of this.”

She raised her head and looked at the dress more closely, the chiffon fabric a light pink color and the silver ribboned edging something she knew she could work with.

“Can you get me more of this?” she asked, pointing to the silver edging.

“Of course.” Raine bowed and headed back out the door.

She sat up and grabbed the dress, dragging it into her lap and inspecting it closer. It was definitely meant to cover almost every part of the body, but she could fix that. If she was to play the part of an obedient ally, then they would have to deal with her culture as well.

An hour later she was finished, the dress cut and stitched back together in a few different places.

Raine had found a leather corset that she was now fastening behind her over the pink fabric of what was left of the dress.

She had removed many layers from the inside of the dress leaving a single slip under the chiffon fabric, took in the seams so it hugged her every curve, and the corset helped push the top of her breast out.

She had cut the sleeves off, leaving a thin strap over her shoulders and the light fabric hugged her hips just below the corset. In true fashion that she loved, she also cut a slit down the leg, similar to her ball gown that started at the point of her hip all the way down. The silver edging lined the slit, drawing attention to it.

She was still covering her sensitive parts, but the elegant flow of the dress was now closer to feeling like her old self, like home.

“Well this will turn some heads.” Raine teased stepping around from behind her.

“That’s the point.” she smiled and fussed with her hair in the mirror.

She had Raine make a second trip out to bring back silver pins for her and ribbon, her white hair now adorned with them as the braid she weaved everything into rested on her shoulder. A small chunk of hair left hanging on the opposite side to frame her face perfectly.

“Shall we?” she nodded towards the door after placing her white slippers on her feet.

Raine just smiled and headed towards the door, opening it wide for her to step into the hall. Two guards stood out in the hall, one on each side of the frame and both looked at her wide eyed as she walked by. They then fell in step behind her and she felt herself ache for Kaden instead.

“Where would you like to go?” Raine asked quietly as they stepped down the hall.