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“I can still wear it,” I said, trying to hide the wince that crossed my face at the thought of stepping into it. “We can cut some of the fabric off and I’m sure it will be fine.”

“Actually,” Ata said, grinning as she stepped from Pri’s side and pushed a bag out from behind the armchair with the toe of her boot. “I had something made for you before we left Locdragoon.”

I lifted a brow. “Should I be scared?”

“I think your outfit is at the very bottom of the list of things that should scare you today,” Ata said as she lifted the bag from the floor and pulled the draw strings open.

My eyes widened, a gasp escaping my lungs as she pulled out the most beautiful leathers I had ever seen. They were gold, intricately woven with emerald and white stitching and Locdragoon’s doe embroidered across the chest.

“Ata . . .” I whispered, my gaze flashing to hers as she brought them over to me.

I could see emotion swirling in her eyes as she pushed them into my arms and I sniffed away the tears that were threatening to fall.

“Thank you,” I said quietly as my fingers danced across the fabrics.

“Change, let us see it on,” Pri said, beaming at me from her corner.

I nodded, quickly turning to the bedchamber and slipping into them. I had never worn something so regal, something so breathtaking. The sitting room fell silent for only a moment as I stepped back into it.

A shriek flew from Cai’s lungs as she clapped her hands together. “Miss, you are a dream,” she exclaimed, her eyes running over my body. “This is a much better option than the dress.”

A teary laugh slipped out of me as I ran my hands down the front of them, straightening out the corset bodice that was cinched tight at the waist.

“Is there too much skin on display?” I asked, looking down at the deep, rounded neckline that pressed tight against my breasts.

Pri shook her head as she walked toward me.

“Not at all,” she said, running her hands over the emerald and white threads that weaved through the leather like the mossy hills and clouds of Locdragoon. “I got you a gift as well.”

I watched as Pri walked over to her satchel and pulled a rolled leather case from it, untying the strings that kept it bound. Golden daggers appeared one by one as she unrolled it, sparkling in the soft light streaming in through the window, their hilts adorned with emerald jewels and crystals.

“I know you do not go anywhere without them, so I thought you should have a set acceptable to wear to your wedding,” Pri said as she smiled, handing me the belt they were fastened to.

A squeal erupted from my lungs as I strapped them across my chest then pulled Pri into my arms. “I love them. Thank you.”

“We must finish your hair; we still have the crown and jewels to add and time is running out,” Cai said, beckoning me over to her as Calista pushed a cup of wine into my hand.

I sat as Cai began to push her fingers into my curls, braiding and twisting small sections, embedding jewels and golden chains throughout it. My eyes fell on Ata in the corner as she looked down at her cards, a worried expression etched into her features.

My stomach fell.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, and her eyes snapped to mine before shoving her cards back into her pocket and forcing a smile.

“Nothing, I just keep pulling the same card over and over and I don’t know what it means,” Ata said, falling into the armchair across from me. “Calista, do you know of any Hanth witches currently residing in Edvhir?”

Calista shook her head. “I do not believe there are any, but I can ask.”

Ata nodded and the room fell silent as an ominous feeling crept into the base of my spine.

Ata could sense things, see things we couldn’t, and if she was nervous—if she was worried—I knew that meant something was coming.

Windgentlyrustledagainstthe fabric of the tent we stood in, perched on a grassy landing of the cliff we had tethered to. The center point of the realm was said to have the strongest of all their magic flowing beneath it—it was where ceremonies were performed in Ithia.

“Are you ready?” Ata asked, locking her gaze on mine. And though she tried to hide them, I could see the tears that collected in the corner of her eyes.

A nervous laugh escaped my lips as I nodded and sniffed away the liquid that threatened to spill from my own eyes.

“I love you, Cin,” she whispered, squeezing my hand in hers.