Page 42

“Deep breaths,” I remind her as Andrya steps back. “Are the changing rooms large enough?”

Zhana comes back in with water and the saleswomen, and her eyes widen with panic. “Are they too small? I can close all of the blinds and make the store your dressing room if needed,” she says urgently.

Silla looks around the room, and honestly, I can see it being problematic. It looks like she’s judging the area, when she’s really judging her ability to function when she’s already highly anxious.

“It’s a bit small,” she says haughtily. “Would it be too much trouble to set up a changing area in the middle of the store?”

“Not at all!” Zhana says. You can see her thinking on how to do that, and I saw a circular heavy curtain that could be used in the middle of the store.

“I have a suggestion, if I may help?” I ask, taking a step toward the door.

“Thank you, yes please,” Zhana says gratefully.

Andrya starts picking up dresses as they’re brought in, dismissing things that won’t work for Silla out of hand. I know that she has a vision in mind, and she won’t stop until she finds it.

Walking out of the dressing room, I point to the rolling contraption that has a heavy curtain around it. It’s large enough for Silla to move around inside, even with Andrya inside to help her as needed.

“What if we set this in the middle of the store with a few mirrors just outside of it so she can see if the dress works for her?” I ask Zhana.

Looking at what I’m pointing at, she nods slowly. “This would work. I was freaking out, because I really didn’t know what I was going to do. Could you possibly help us move the mirrors? They’re connected, and a bit unwieldy to move.”

“Absolutely, thank you for being accommodating. The Queen prefers open spaces,” I explain.

Not thinking there’s anything wrong with that, she simply nods, and everyone gets to work closing the shop and drawing the blinds so no one can see in. Soon, we’re ready for Silla to try on clothes. Most of the bruises and marks have healed outside of her feet and lower back. Silla still has pain, because while her body has healed at a rapid pace, it still feels the ache from her beating. Thankfully though, it means no one will see anything but beautiful, unmarred skin.

Soon, Silla is trying on clothes. She tries on dozens of dresses as I sit on a comfy chair that someone brought me. Every single dress so far has been a no. A few of the colors have had a rose hue, but they’re all too bright, so Silla decided to try other colors in hopes of finding something.

“I have a suggestion…” a saleswoman, Lini, says, stepping forward. “Every dress hasn’t been the right color, Your Majesty. They’re all gorgeous, but they don’t have the ability to elevate your beauty.”

Lini is smooth, I have to give her that. Silla blows out a breath, nodding. Every dress that she’s tried on has had a slightly different hue than what works for her typical palate. I also can’t stop thinking about the pretty blush that Ayden prefers, and that’s the color I now want. Dammit.

“Go on,” Silla murmurs. She’s currently wearing a beautiful teal dress that has a plunging front and sleeves, but it’s notthedress. I’m a picky fucker today, but even Andrya is pursing her lips as if she sucked on a lemon.

“I have a white dress that would be stunning on you,” Lini begins. “I feel as if you have a color in your mind, and everything else is falling flat. We have a vendor who could dye it for you in time for your event.”

Silla’s eyes light up as she smiles. “Let’s see it,” she says with a nod. “I love this idea.”

Zhana sags with relief, no doubt beginning to worry. Disappointing the Queen isn’t great for one’s business, or sometimes even their lifespan.

Hurrying away, Lini grabs the dress. Walking back into the makeshift dressing area, Andrya helps Silla into it.

As she struts out, I can tell this is the dress. Our girl has fire and attitude in this thing. The straps are off the shoulder, and form fitting until it hits her waist. Then it flows away from her as if it were water to the ground, with a beautiful train. The material appears to be crepe-like, and I can only imagine how beautiful it’ll be once it’s the color we have in mind.

“Yes,” Silla whispers, staring at the mirrors as she turns to look at it from all directions. “Andrya, can you show Lini the color we’d like, please?”

“We” is often used by the monarchy, so no one blinks an eye. Instead, I know that Silla is talking about herself and her lovers. It works so perfectly, and yet it’s the perfect inside joke.

“Absolutely, Your Majesty,” Andrya murmurs, opening her phone to find the color she’s looking for. As she shows Lini, the salesgirl grins.

“This would be perfection, Your Majesty. It would be our honor to do this for you,” she says.

Showing Zhana, they both nod happily. Discussing when it would be needed, I organize pick up as Silla changes back into her clothes. The last thing we need is for it to be delivered to the castle accidentally. Paying for the dress isn’t an issue, because the card is in Cinder’s name.

Walking out of the boutique, I hear the girls in the shop squeal as the door closes. Silla bursts into giggles, taking a breath of fresh air.

“Can we go home and online shop now, please?” she asks with a slightly hysterical laugh. “I don’t think I could do that again."

Walking to the rideshare that arrives promptly, I nod. “No more shopping for you, troublemaker,” I tease.