Page 26 of A Kiss From Death (Oath of Vengeance #1)

“ S o…don’t hate me, but I sort of ruined Theo’s leather jacket.” Des nervously paces the length of my room, fiddling with her hands as I lounge on my bed, reading a romance book she smuggled for me.

My heart comes to a complete stand still. “You what? Please tell me this is another one of your silly jokes.” I’ve forgotten all about the love confession scene I was in the middle of reading and now stare intensely at Des, who looks like she’s on the verge of fainting.

She takes two deep breaths and carefully contemplates how she wants to phrase her next sentence. “Umm, well, maybe ruined was the wrong word. Cut up is maybe a better option.” Her voice pitches up at the confession.

There must be steam coming out of my ears now, because her face turns a bright shade of red and her chest heaves. “No, that definitely sounds worse than ruined. Ummm, repurposed… Yeah, that definitely sounds better.”

I raise my eyebrows at her in question. “Explain, now!”

She nods to herself, and a bit of her never-ending confidence starts to shine through.

“I think it would be better for me to show you rather than explain it.” I nod in agreement, and she seems to smile.

“So you know how I told you I’ve been working on a secret project?

Said secret project was your outfit for tonight’s ball marking the start of the Crucible.

I wanted you to stand out, but I also wanted it to be special for you. ”

“Where does ruining Theo’s leather jacket come into play?” I prod.

“The Empress always assigns a theme for the ball. This year, she has chosen Circus Extravaganza. I wanted to make you a custom, one of a kind piece. I was thinking a red and black color palette would be perfect. Obviously, I want you to stand out, so a red dress is a must. But then, I was trying to figure out how to incorporate black into it, and I remembered Theo’s leather jacket.

” She nibbles her lip nervously. “Well, next thing you know, scissors appeared in my hand, and then they were chopping away at his jacket before I could stop myself and…ugh, I’ll just show you.

” She turns to grab something from behind the changing screen, muttering under her breath, “Please don’t hate me. ”

I’m up in an instant, running over to her as she pulls the creation out from behind the screen. I gasp. “Des…”

She drops her face into her hands, mumbling through her fingers. “You hate it, I knew it.”

“Odessa, look at me right now!” I say sternly.

She slowly drags her face up to meet mine. “I give you full permission to hit me. Just avoid my face, please. It’s my money maker.” She stands stiff as a board, eyes closed and waiting for impact.

“I have no words,” I whisper .

She peels one eye open, anxiously looking at me.

A single tear escapes down my cheek. “I love it. I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to carry Theo’s memory with me tonight.

I confessed to you when we met that I would like to feel beautiful for the first time in my life.

This creation, Des, is so much more than that.

It’s us woven together, something I can cherish forever.

I could never repay you for this, even if I traveled through a million lives. ”

“I knew it!” Des beams under my praise. “I never doubted myself, not even for a second.” She winks at me while patting herself on the back, and a small, breathy laugh escapes me. Leave it to Des to turn an anxious, emotional moment into a happy one. No, a happy pang .

Taking a step forward, I drag my fingers across the cherry-red silk fabric.

It feels like butter between my fingers.

The thin shoulder straps are made from dainty black chains connected to red silk triangle cutouts on each side.

An intricate black leather corset curves under the breasts, made from Theo’s jacket, taking up the middle portion and adorned with vertical bowing and crossed laces to hold its tight shape.

The delicate triangle breast sections are connected to the corset using black metal hoops across the bottom.

Sewn into the bottom of the corset is more red silk that tapers tight at the hips and then pools out at the ground.

Thigh high slits cut up both sides, making the center panel drape between the legs.

Black, glittering feathers dance across the bottom of the hem, making it appear fluffy.

The back of the corset has leather straps crisscrossed all the way down to hold it extra tight and push up the cleavage.

“How did you even come up with this design, Des?” She blushes hard now, soaking up every compliment I throw her way.

I continue my hand down the dress to swipe against the leather corset, soaking in its familiar feel.

Leaning forward, I deeply inhale the worn leather scent mixed with Theo’s lingering scent and hum to myself.

It smells as though he’s standing here with me.

I close my eyes and picture him standing in front of me now, basking in his memory.

What would he think of all this? Would he call me crazy?

Silly? Maybe brave? Most likely all three, but even more, I know he would call me his princess.

He’d make me feel like I was the only woman alive or dead who could hold his attention. My one in a million, my Theo.

“You’re doing it again,” Des grumbles next to me before continuing with her long speech about how this masterpiece came to fruition.

“As I said earlier, every good creation starts with a color palette. I really wanted the piece to speak for itself, so I kept it limited so it wouldn’t distract from all the details.

I wanted it to be feminine but also sexy, with a little edge to match the circus theme. ”

She’s talking with her hands now, and I bask in her excitement, in awe of the little things that bring her joy.

“Obviously, the only correct answer to portray sexy with a splash of edge is red silk paired with a corset.” She points at my chest. “You know, to push your girls up. Then, from there, I just knew I had to involve a chain somewhere to edge it up. Next thing you know, I basically designed a dress to turn you into the goddess of sex. Tah-dah!”

I didn’t think she could get any more animated, but now, she’s flashing me some sort of jazz hands, slightly out of breath from word vomiting.

“I see.” I slowly roll the words off my tongue.

Des smiles from ear to ear. “I just knew you would see my vision. It takes a genius to spot a genius. Oh, wait, there’s more. I almost forgot the best part. The accessories !” she scream-sings in a wobbly tone that has me covering my ears.

She dashes back behind the screen, filling her arms with glittering items. She plops them onto the vanity with a loud clink .

“At first, I was thinking long, elegant, silky gloves, but I just know all the other bitches will be wearing those, and we aren’t going for tacky here.

So, naturally, my brain went to a metal snake arm wrap embedded with black diamonds. This baby is going to be perfect.”

Looking down, I slide my fingers over the rough diamonds covering the entirety of the black metal snake’s back.

It’s shaped to look like it’s slithering around someone’s entire forearm, with its head resting flat just below the middle finger on the back of the hand, the tail ending just below the elbow, ensuring I can still bend my arm.

“This is stunning, Des. I’m surprised there were any diamonds left in Lunaria after you made my bodysuit.”

She winks at me. “I’m pretty important around here. If I want something, I get it.” She slides the next item into view. “I couldn’t let your arm have all the fun, so I sort of made you a crown too.”

My eyes pop out of my head when I take in the crown. “Won’t the Empress be offended?”

She waves her hand in dismissal. “The Empress loves her themed balls. She would expect nothing less than perfection and class from each of her contestants. I wouldn’t be surprised if she still thought this outfit wasn’t expensive or on theme enough for her liking.

You are now a reflection of her in a way, so the more diamonds the better. ”

I nod, trying to wrap my brain around it all. Just weeks ago, I was starving and sleeping on a makeshift pillow-bed in a crumbling, mold-infused shack. Now, I’m fed three times a day, sleeping on a huge, lush bed, and wearing a crown worth more coins than I’ve made in my entire career as a spy.

The crown sitting before me is like nothing I’ve ever seen.

Almost every inch of it is covered in bright red rubies.

The halo has a collection of gemstones creating a sea of red.

Jutting up from the base are spike-like points, each housing a heart-shaped ruby at the top.

It’s the most eye-catching piece I’ve ever laid my eyes on .

Des moves in next to me, pointing at it.

“It’s not just any regular crown, though.

That would be boring, don’t you think?” She laughs to herself almost maniacally.

“No, this is a magical crown. I had a Float imbue it with their flying magic, so it will hover just above your head, spinning like a carousel all night. Anywhere you walk, it will follow like an obedient pet. I’m a genius, I know.

” She squeals while she spins; at this point, nothing she does phases me.

This is just how Des is, always a character.

“You’re right. That is pretty genius.” I shove my shoulder into hers playfully. “Honestly, I was getting a headache thinking about that stiff thing being pinned to my head all night. So, really, I should be thanking you.”

“You know I love it when you praise me. Goes right to this big noggin of mine.” She knocks her fist on the top of her head, and then her cheeks flush a rosy pink.