Page 86 of Crimson Kingdom
Whatever happiness I had eked out in the early hours of last night felt tenuous now, though, and I couldn’t help but wonder when the other shoe would drop.
CHAPTERFORTY-FIVE
Istopped at my rooms to drop off the packages before heading to Madame Freya’s. At least the long walk down the corridors to the eastern wing of the castle gave me time to clear my head.
It was always possible that something would go wrong, and so many things took us entirely by surprise. I would take Rayan’s advice as best I could, not worrying about whatever he felt like I would need until the time came.
Besides, he said it might benever.
So, I would just...go with that.
The dressmaker’s workspace was an open room with plenty of settees and chairs, which were already occupied by Aunts Isla and Jocelyn, Avani, Gwyn, and my mother.
“You look tired, Darling. Are you not sleeping again?” Mamá asked, standing to put a hand on my face.
A flush crept into my cheeks, and Avani raised a knowing eyebrow at me.
“Just all the excitement…” I said with a wan smile.
I took the opportunity to turn my face away from my mother, surveying my older sister instead. She also looked tired, but not as sorrowful as I expected. Yesterday must have been cathartic for her as well.
She seemed genuinely happy to be here, her lips tilted upward and her eyes bright.
I was distracted from observing her when Madame Freya demanded I try on the first dress.
There was no modesty among the women in my family, so I stripped down in the main room, letting myself be calmed by their chatter. Aunt Isla handed out sparkling wine mixed with apple juice while the dressmaker helped me into the white dress.
Despite my misgivings about my visit to Rayan, I couldn’t help a thrill of excitement running through me after last night. Especially when I remembered the way Evander’s lips had felt against my bare skin.
Still, there was nervousness, too. Because last night had already felt...overwhelming in its intensity. And we hadn’t even had our wedding night yet. There was a reason I had stopped short of that in the past, and now…
I was conveniently distracted by the arduous task of being wrestled into the mountains of fabric that made up this wedding gown. At least once I had my arms in the sleeves, I was permitted a sparkling drink of my own.
Taking careful sips, I stood on the platform surrounded by mirrors while Madame’s assistant painstakingly fastened countless pearl buttons along my spine.
“Well, that will be interesting for Evander to get you back out of,” Gwyn muttered under her breath.
But it wasn’t quiet enough.
“Gwyndolyn,” Aunt Isla chastised. Then, she gave the dress a considering glance. “True, though. It will certainly build the anticipation.”
Jocelyn laughed softly, shaking her head, and my mother spoke around her wine flute.
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Looks like he has deft fingers, that one.”
“Mamá!” My cheeks flamed from embarrassment...but also because I had thought the same thing, more than once.
“I’m just saying,” Avani added, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Did you see the way the man peeled those apples?”
“I did.” I sighed, remembering the way my eyes had been fixated on his capable hands. “I did.”
After trying on both of my wedding dresses, I moved on to a series of items for my trousseau that invited even more commentary from literally everyone in the room.
Even Madame Freya made a few choice remarks about the black lacy negligee she had designed.
While she left to fetch a few others that she had forgotten about, Aunt Isla wrapped a silky, cream-colored robe over my shift and plied me with chocolates and sparkling wine.
I was sitting on the settee eating yet another piece of the caramel-coated deliciousness when the door eased open on its hinges. My mother rushed in front of me to guard me from view, but I peeked around her far enough to spot my cousin.