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Thane probably didn’t allow as many attendees this time around with his strict rules on which families could attend and which couldn’t be based on ties to certain radical families and those most loyal to the previous king. “Have you ever been to the castle?” In the mirror’s reflection, the girl’s cheeks pinked, and she gave a big jerk at Layala’s upper back. Layala’s breath hitched at the constriction. “Not so tight, please.”

“Apologies, Lady, but we need a dress to fit. There’s no time to sew you a new one.” She gave another quick pull and Layala felt like her breasts were pushed up to her neck now. “And no, I haven’t been to the castle. I’m a tailor’s niece.”

The corset cinched to the point Layala swore her ribs would crack but with assistance, she stepped into a black dress, pulled it up past her hips, and up over her bust. Two long strips of fabric tied crisscross against her chest and around the back of her neck.

The tailor’s assistant started on the buttons that went up the back. “I can use extenders where they don’t reach but it’s going to fit.”

“Whatever you need to do.”

Sunlight crept out from behind white puffy clouds and cascaded down from the skylight above creating a warm glow in the dressing room, lighting up Layala’s skin and giving a golden shine to her raven hair.

“Why did you want black? That’s usually the male color. It’s not typical for maidens and the ball is supposed to be celestial themed.”

“I need to feel like someone else.” She didn’t need to be Layala. She needed to embrace the goddess of night. After that dream she had, she wanted more knowledge. It was like having a lick of the best cake then having it snatched away. But as she stood and watched herself hoping for something to show like the vision of a naked Hel on a balcony or her dream, there was only this room and the tailor’s assistant.

“Come out here and let me see when you’re dressed!” Piper hollered.

The tailor’s assistant stepped back and swept her arm out indicating to Layala that she was finished. “I’ll leave you to decide how you like it.” With quiet steps she disappeared through the swish of the curtain.

Layala tugged her hair loose from her braid and ran her fingers through her strands pulling it to the front to flow down over her breasts. Carefully, she stooped down and reached into the pocket of her pants and pulled out a tin of lip balm. It was a dark cherry red and it stained her lips with a couple swipes.

“Layala, the ball isn’t today. You don’t need to look perfect,” Piper called again but more forcefully than before. Her guard had no patience.

“I’m coming.” She twirled around to check her rear, the seam looked like it would rip if she bent over too far, but it hugged her rump and along the back of her thighs nicely, from there the fabric flowed out. It wasn’t exactly a good gown for agility but excellent for making Thane think twice about his abstinence from her.

Layala gripped the velvet curtain, tugged it aside and stepped out. Piper stood before a mirror adjusting the folds of her forest-green ball gown. “I love it,” Layala said. “That color is gorgeous on you.”

She turned and inspected the back where it was left open in a V all the way to an inch or two above her rear. “Thanks. I don’t know about the back.” She ran her hands over the sequined sleeves. “Or the long sleeves. I might get too warm. It’s going to be inside.”

“You must wear it. I’ve never seen a prettier dress on you.”

She smiled and it lit up her face. “Thank you. I like yours as well. How do you feel about it?”

“I do like it but it’s a little tight,” Layala said, placing her palm on the snug bodice. “I can barely breathe. Perhaps I should try on something else.”

“You look striking, and it hugs your curves, which I’ll admit I’m a little jealous of, but you’ll want to be able to move easily in case something happens. Let’s see what else we can find.” They started toward the front of the store again. Piper cleared her throat and said slowly, “So… I don’t want to pry so feel free to tell me to mind my own business but what’s going on between you and Thane? I mean even before Hel showed up. I’ve been meaning to ask but I’ve been a chicken. At the first day of training, you said you felt he doesn’t want you anymore… And the way he yelled at you the night we got caught. I haven’t seen him that upset in a while. You know he kicked both Leif’s and my ass in training the next morning. Leif more than me of course.”

“He’s hurt, I think, that we went behind his back more than anything.” And nothing had been going on between them. That was the problem. “Maybe you should ask him what’s been going on between us.”

Piper gave her a pointed stare. “I’m asking you.”

“He…” she thought of the night he had her pinned on the bed then pulled away and told her she would have to wait. Layala glanced around and closed her mouth when the tailor’s assistant entered the dressing area and dipped into a curtsy.

“You have another guest waiting for you.”

“Another guest? For us?” Layala asked.

“Were you not expecting someone else? He said he’s a friend of yours.”

“Do you think Thane sent someone else to look after us?” Layala asked, peering at the sheer curtain that led to the front but only shadows could be made out.

“It’s probably Leif or Fennan,” Piper said. “Although after an assassin, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s Thane himself.”

Layala swept her gaze around the many dresses and gowns and stopped at the window to check on their horses. Midnight’s eyes were closed and his head low. He looked like he fell asleep despite groups of elves walking by him on the crowded road outside. The faint chatter of the teeming streets, the slamming of a blacksmith’s hammer hit rhythmically from somewhere nearby.Wait…Layala’s heart quickened.Midnight is outside…Suddenly Piper gripped her wrist like she might tear it off.

“Ouch,” Layala protested, shooting her a glare.

“Well, it’s certainly not Thane.”