Page 112 of Fated
Keltra gave me an understanding smile. “Of course, Areya.And it is my job to attend to you, a job I’m honored to have. So, if you need anything, it will never be any trouble. I will have water sent right away.” She smiled, bowed, and then left the room.
Alone in Ash’s grand room, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself. I wandered to the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, the plush mattress sinking beneath me.
I missed Ash’s presence terribly, but I knew he couldn’t be with me every moment.
Another reason I need to ask him to break the compulsion,I reminded myself.
My thoughts drifted to what Ash had said in the closet, his whispered words still sending a tidal wave of heat flooding through me.
My cheeks burned at the memory, and a flutter of nervous excitement filled my stomach.
I forced my mind to shift to something else, to standing in front of Ash’s entire kingdom. The idea of it made my heart race. I’d always had terrible anxiety in front of crowds, but ever since gaining my divine status, I’d found a new sense of confidence, at least more than I’d possessed before. Still, this was no ordinary crowd. It was the entire Kingdom of Ambrosia.
I had to trust Ash.
He wouldn’t have asked me to do something if he didn’t believe I could. And I’d come so far from the shy, afraid, girl I used to be. I had traveled to a new world, faced down vampires, found new friends and family, and fallen hopelessly in love with a king. Like it or not, I was a princess now and if I wanted to stand at Ash’s side, I would need to become a queen.
I swallowed hard.
A knock interrupted my thoughts. When I opened the door, Keltra entered, followed by a team of six other women, alldressed in matching servant attire. They moved efficiently, each woman carrying something specific. The first pushed a cart filled with beautiful combs, ornately decorated brushes, diamond-studded pins, and various intricate hair accessories.
She began placing them into the drawers of the immense vanity in the room.
Another woman approached with a large, elegant box, which she carefully set on the vanity. As she opened it, layers of brilliant, elegant jewelry pieces unfolded before my eyes—pieces unlike anything I had ever seen, glittering with stones that seemed too exquisite to touch.
The next woman quietly placed a tray atop the vanity, holding a pitcher of ice water and a glass. She poured the water with practiced grace, filling the glass and placing it within easy reach.
Following her, another woman pushed a cart full of makeup, the shades and colors more abundant than I had ever seen. She began holding swatches to my skin, meticulously matching them to my complexion, while another woman brought in trays of nail polishes and supplies.
The last woman carried a large garment bag.
She hooked it onto the back of the closet door and unzipped it slowly, revealing the dress inside. When she pulled it out and held it up for me to see, my breath caught in my throat.
It was a deep blue evening gown with a sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves made of delicate, sheer fabric. The bodice was fitted, hugging the waist before cascading into a voluminous, layered tulle skirt that floated to the floor. Every inch of the gown was embellished with subtle, shimmering details, catching the light perfectly.
It was stunning—elegant, regal, and overwhelming all at once.
I stared at it, my heart pounding. This was no ordinary dress. This was a dress fit for a princess. I had never worn anything this exquisite, this impossibly perfect, and for a moment, it was as if I had stepped out of my own life and into a fairy tale.
Keltra moved as if she had done this a thousand times before, commanding the room with ease. “Areya, sit at the vanity. Thea will handle your hair while Ava works on your makeup, and Ella will choose some jewelry for you to try on. Lorna will do your nails, and Jolie will keep your water refilled. If you need anything else, just ask. Is the dress to your liking?”
I glanced once more at the gown, still overwhelmed by its beauty.
“It’s perfect,” I breathed, trying to steady myself. “Absolutely perfect.”
Keltra smiled and everything moved quickly from there. I barely had time to think as Thea, Ava, and the others went to work.
My chair faced away from the mirror, so I could only feel the light touches as they transformed me. Soft brushes swept across my skin, and hands expertly wove my hair into an intricate style, the delicate tinkling of jewelry being laid out on the vanity filling the air.
After what felt like mere minutes, Keltra guided me into the bathroom to change into the dress. As I turned to face the mirror, a gasp escaped my lips.
I barely recognized the woman staring back. My makeup was flawless, perfectly matched to my skin tone, enhancing my features in the best possible way. My face was positively glowing, my skin radiant, and my hair … Oh, my hair was a masterpiece.
It was elegantly swept back and twisted into a loose, voluminous updo. Silver leaf-like accents were woven delicatelythroughout, glinting in the light as wispy strands framed my face.
Keltra had given me new undergarments, ridiculously soft, lacy pieces that still had the tags on them. I couldn’t help but marvel at the thought that these tiny, delicate items probably cost more than my entire wardrobe back home.
When I stepped into the gown, pulling it up my body, I felt the fabric hugging me in all the right places, a soft, disbelieving laugh bubbling up inside of me.
