Page 87 of Court of Winter
The silky dress shone like glass in the mirror, shiny and bright in the overhead fairy lights. A single pendant necklace dangled between my cleavage, drawing one’s attention there. I had no idea if the jewelry was real, but the sapphire sparkled and twinkled, reminding me of the jewel that Drachu had worn around his neck.
Around my waist, Daiseeum had added a jeweled belt, highlighting the swell of my hips and hourglass figure. Now that I’d had over a month of daily meals, I’d developed curves that I’d never known existed.
“How did you do this to my hair?” I asked, bringing a hand up to the delicate design. Glimmering gems glistened in the half-up, half-down style. Beautiful diamonds interwove through my curls, shifting and sparkling as though suspended in the strands, and the loose curls swirling through my long locks swayed like gentle waves in the Tala Sea.
“Magic.” Daiseeum smiled sweetly.
My makeup was also flawless, making my eyes look bigger and brighter, my lips fuller, and my cheekbones sharper. I still looked like me, but I’d never seen myself look so striking.
I pivoted, taking in the floor-length dress that moved like water. My entire back was exposed, and since the dress stopped in a V just above my backside, it drew attention to that area too. Since I’d gained weight, there was a definite curve to my bottom that hadn’t been there a month ago either.
I laughed in delight. “You’re amazing at this, Daiseeum. I never knew I could look so beautiful. Thank you.”
Daiseeum’s head bobbed, and her cheeks flushed as she curtsied. “I do so enjoy it, and you are truly exquisite, Ilara. You were already a beautiful canvas who just needed the finishing touches to be a true masterpiece.”
I grinned and clasped her hand before giving her a squeeze. Her cheeks pinked even more.
A soft knock came on my bedroom chamber door, and she hastily removed her hand. “That would be the prince. Right on time.”
The door opened, and the prince strode in. “Ilara? Are you ready to—”
The prince stopped in his tracks when he saw me, his eyes widening.
He stood at the threshold, dressed in the royal colors and in full uniform. His fitted tunic was deep blue with the royal crest on the side of his chest. Beneath it were the medals of honor that only royalty could wear, each proudly displayed. The decadence of his attire highlighted his wide shoulders, muscled arms, and large palms. Black leggings and knee-high black boots drew my attention to his strong thighs. Of course, I’d seen the prince in fine clothing before but nothing like this.
He didn’t say a word as his gaze swept over me, drinking me in as though I were a fine wine, and with each inch of his perusal, my heart beat harder and harder.
A tingling sensation began deep in my stomach when his eyes grew hooded, and heat flooded my core when that primal look entered his eyes. It was a look I’d been seeing more and more in him, ever since he’d returned from his month away. It was as though something was barely contained within the prince, like there was a predator prowling around inside him, just waiting to be unleashed.
He finally began walking toward me, and the air seemed to shudder, stretch, and bend between us. With each inch that passed, it felt as if the air around me caressed my skin and flowed over my bare flesh like a lover’s kiss.
But surely the prince’s air affinity wouldn’t dothat.
My heart was beating so fast it felt as though it would explode. I still felt anger, perhaps even hatred for this male, but I couldn’t deny the attraction that sparked between us. I’d felt it previously, had known it existed, but I’d tried mightily to pretend that it was all an illusion.
But this? This I couldn’t deny. The prince was looking at me like he wanted todevourme.
His wings snapped in tight to his back when he reached me. Lifting a finger, he touched one of the gems swirling in my hair, and I could have sworn that a stroke of air also trailed down my neck.
“You look lovely,” he finally said, his tone husky. “No, you’re beautiful, exquisite, beyond anything. I have no words.” His tone was so deep. A shiver ran down my spine.
Daiseeum murmured something that I didn’t hear due to the blood pounding through my ears before she glided from the room.
I barely noticed her departure.Ock, this is insane.This male had murdered half my family, yet my stomach was flipping like a female fairy in the midst of maturity.
The prince held out his arm to me, and I automatically slipped my hand through the crook of it. His heat warmed my palm when I settled my hand lightly on his forearm, and a sizzle of desire coursed through me.Blessed Mother.It seemed every time we made contact, that happened.
Something gleamed in his eyes, something entirely carnal.
I shook myself internally, wondering if Daiseeum’s magic was also messing with my mind as the prince led me toward the door.
My feet followed of their own accord, and when he opened it wide and we slipped through it, it struck me that it was the first time since I’d arrived at the castle that I’d walked out of that door. We’d been so busy this week that I hadn’t had time to leave on my own, and the prince always flew us out of the courtyard, or we mistphased when we left.
“Where’s Sandus?” I asked. The hall lay empty.
“I dismissed him when I arrived.”
The prince’s strides were purposeful as a slight tightening appeared around his mouth. “Are you ready to meet the court?”