Time
“I don’t want to go back to my room, I just left,” I said.
“I could care less about what you want, Adea. You’ve proven that you can’t be trusted. I can’t have you wandering around alone, you need to be supervised. I can’t have you disappearing the day before the celebration,” Ava said. Her hand slid up her chest and gripped her throat. “Father would have my neck if I lost you again. No, you will go to your room and wait there until I come to you.”
“Let’s get you ready. We don’t have all day,” Ava said. The snark in her voice was clear and I was ready to call it a day already. Gabriel turned and pulled dresses from the bag.
“These are the ones you chose last time. I’ve had them tailored to the measurements we took. Which would you like to try on first?” Gabriel asked.
“They’re beautiful,” I said as my gaze trailed over the dresses. “Thank you. The order doesn’t matter.” Gabriel nodded and picked up the first dress.
“You can step in there and undress,” Gabriel said. “I can take your clothes and hand you the next one when you’re ready.” I watched where he pointed to. In the corner of the room, wooden pieces stood side by side. There would be privacy for me to undress.
“There’s no need,” I said quietly. I pushed my skirt down and it fell to the ground. I pulled the string hanging from the back of my dress. My top loosened and I pulled it off, letting it fall to my feet. I stood in my undergarments.
“Adea!” Ava chastised.
“Don’t worry about me,” Gabriel whispered. He was by my side and held my gaze. “I will not look.”
Tears filled my eyes and I nodded. His fingers were gentle as he pulled the dress over my head. He dressed me as if I were a porcelain doll. I felt like one, as I moved and followed his guidance as he helped me. When all was said and done, the dress fell right above my ankles, my breasts were lifted and squeezed close. The dress hugged at my curves. There was nothing modest about this dress.
“It’s beautiful,” Ava squealed. “I like this one a lot but let’s try the other two. We need to see them all before we choose which one you’ll wear tomorrow. We can choose between the two that don’t make the cut for dinner. You’ll need to look your best before dining with your mate.”
I ignored her. I blocked out the rest of her words while Gabriel helped me into the other two dresses. I wanted to know about Shane. I needed to know if he was alright. I had to know if he was alive. Was anyone tending to his wounds? Or was he laying in the dungeon in his own blood? The thought brought tears to my eyes.
“If you’re going to cry do it now,” Ava tutted. “Your face will be blotchy if you wait until later. I won’t have you looking like a mess. This is supposed to be the happiest time of your life. Chin up, big sister.”
“Who will be taking these up to her room?” Gabriel asked.
“I will call on a few warriors to carry the boxes up to her room,” Ava said.
“Why don’t you do that now? Time is of the essence, isn’t it?”
“You’re absolutely right, Dressmaker. I’ll find someone who has time on their hands.”
Gabriel bowed and helped me out of the dress I was in. When the door closed behind us, we were quiet. There wasn’t much time but I didn’t know what to say. Do I beg this kind stranger? Can I trust him to help me? What if he was working for my father? I turned around and Gabriel pulled the strings and fastened back. He gripped my hand, and twirled me until I faced him and leaned in.
“Tomorrow night I’ll be wearing a black mask. I’ll find you,” Gabriel whispered. My eyes widened as I looked up at him. He was still trying to help me. I had wondered if he had forgotten. I was thankful he hadn’t. I bit into my bottom lip and nodded.
“Thank you.”
The door opened and closed behind us. Turning, I found that my sister had returned. Two warriors stood behind her. She walked up to me and put everything into the boxes. She pulled the red dress aside and pointed to the boxes.
“Take these up to Adea’s room,” Ava ordered.
“There are two boxes by the door. Those are the shoes and accessories you picked out. Please take them with you,” Gabriel said.
The warriors nodded and walked to the table. I watched as they picked up the boxes and bowed before turning from us. The warriors outside of the sitting hall opened the door. When they closed, Ava turned back to me.
“You’re wearing this dress tonight,” Ava said. “I will help you dress before dinner.”
“What else is on the schedule for today, Ava?” I asked.
“This was the only thing on your list. I have things to do today, so I can’t watch you all day. I’ll have the warriors walk you upstairs. I can’t have you disappearing on me. I’ll come to you before dinner and help you dress.”
I didn’t want to go out but I didn’t want to go to my room. If I was taken to my room, I wouldn’t be able to wander around. I wouldn’t be able to ask anyone questions. I wouldn’t be able to go near the dungeon. I wouldn’t be able to find Shane or see him.
It was laughable. My little sister had more say over me than I did. She could govern where I went, what I did, and who I was around. I felt powerless but I wouldn’t let it get to me. I would go out. I wouldn’t stay locked up in my room. I was already forming a plan when the doors opened and the warriors came up behind me.
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