Page 47 of Powerful

She laughs humorlessly. ‘Too much happened.’

I help peel off her remaining clothing before she steps into the dress. ‘Oh, do tell,’ I say, greedy for every detail.

She slips her arms through the dainty sleeves that lay limply around her arm. ‘Can I fill you in after the Trial, A?’ She sounds exhausted. ‘I’m still trying to process it all myself.’

I help her tug the corset up. ‘Of course, Pae. You need to focus on the Trial.’

I say this to ease my guilty conscience. I have yet to tell her of Mak and every moment I’ve spent with him. She knows of my tendency to trip for someone, and yet, she will be one of the last to know.

‘Thanks, A,’ Paedyn smiles, looking relieved.

‘Don’t thank me yet.’ I wiggle a finger, gesturing for her to turn around. ‘I haven’t tightened the corset.’

‘Plagues,’ she murmurs. ‘If this dress was any less beautiful, I might beg not to wear it.’

‘Oh, please,’ I tease. ‘You love dressing up, even if you won’t admit it. Isn’t that right, Ellie?’

‘I mean…’ Ellie hesitates. ‘You do seem to enjoy it…’

Pae’s scoff is cut short when I tug at the laces of her corset. ‘Well, I sure as hell don’t enjoy being unable to breathe.’

‘But you’re breathtaking.’ I attempt to smother my snort. ‘Quite literally.’

‘I think you’re enjoying this a little too much, A,’ she gasps.

‘This may be my last chance to dress you up.’ I tighten the laces, earning a grunt from Pae. ‘So I might as well take advantage of it!’

After much pleading from Pae, I finally tie off the laces of her corset and spin her round to admire my work. Most of the bodice is see-through, showing off her tan skin beneath the beads and swirling pattern decorating the corset. The sleeves are dainty and purely for design, as they do nothing to keep the dress up from where they dangle off her shoulders.

My eyes take in the pooling skirt and the matching slits on either side. As I do so, Paedyn pushes the fabric apart to strap her silver dagger high on a thigh. Then she straightens, standing before Ellie and me for inspection. ‘So? What do you think?’

‘You look beautiful, Paedyn,’ Ellie breathes with a smile.

Unwanted tears prickle my eyes at the vision before me. ‘You look dangerous. But in the most elegant of ways.’

She seems to melt at my words. ‘That may be the best compliment I’ve ever received.’

Ellie sighs. ‘You need to head to the ballroom soon, and I still have no idea what to do with your hair.’

‘Something simple,’ I suggest. ‘Maybe an updo? I want to see those collarbones of hers.’

Ellie obliges, tying Pae’s hair into a loose knot at the back of her neck, allowing strands to fall around her face as they please.

I clasp my palms in front of me, beaming at the finished product. ‘Gorgeous! Now go before you’re late!’

Paedyn laughs lightly, reaching out to squeeze my hands. ‘Thank you, A. I can’t tell you how much I love each of the dresses you’ve made for me.’

‘I knew you loved them,’ I say slyly. ‘And me, of course.’

‘And you.’ She grins. ‘Of course.’

My smile suddenly fades into something far more serious. ‘Promise you’ll make it back to me after this Trial?’

‘I promise I’ll try my absolute hardest,’ she murmursearnestly. ‘Just one more, and I’m free.Weare free.’

My lips lift into an unexpected smile. ‘I’ll be cheering you on the whole time, Pae.’

We admire one another for a long moment before I begin shooing her towards the door. ‘All right, go dance with your prince!’

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