Page 102 of A Kiss From Death
“You’re overthinking it,” she says plainly. “You are the main accessory, not the clothes. They are just there to enhance you.” Pausing, she asks, “What exactly were his words again?”
“He said, ‘I’m taking you out tonight.’” I do my best to impersonate his deep voice. “And then he mentioned he would grab me after dinner.”
“Well, that’s not much to go off. We’ll have to work on his communication skills for the future. He’s not taking you to dinner, so I’m sure what he has planned is more casual.”
“Casual,” I repeat.
Looking through the growing pile of clothes on my bed, the five outfits Des picked out included, she drags her arm out, scooping the clothes up and throwing them off the edge onto the floor.
Clapping her hands together, she sighs. “You’re right. None of those were it.”
I can’t help the laugh that explodes from my throat at the ridiculousness of this whole thing. Des joins in on my laughter and playfully bumps her shoulder into mine. “I’m overthinking it, aren’t I?”
“Maybe,” she says in a high pitched tone. “But…that just means you care…a lot,” she adds.
I do. I care a lot, for some reason unbeknownst to me. This feels important, like a change in the tides between me and Hade. We’ve spent plenty of time together in the library or sparring in the Bubble, but this feelsdifferent.
“Butter me up and call me a biscuit! I have the perfect idea!” Des shouts so loud, it feels like talons dragging down my insides. Covering my ears, I shoot her wide eyes, urging her to explain herself while protecting my ears from further hearing loss.
Shoving herself into my armoire, she practically disappears into the clothes as she rummages around in the back. Clothes go flying as she digs for the perfect piece. I narrowly dodge a shoe she blindly hucks over her shoulder, and it bangs loudly against the wall behind me.
“Watch it,” I warn, but there’s no malice behind my tone.
“No time!” she shouts back, but it’s muffled by all the clothes swallowing her body. “C’mon, I know you’re in here,” she mumbles to herself. “Holy Aunt Susan, I found it!” she screeches excitedly while backpedaling out of the chaos she created.
Huffing and with reddened cheeks, she shoves her arms out in front of her, presenting me her treasure.
“What…” I stare in both disbelief and shock. I don’t understand how this could be possible.
“Theo’s leather jacket!” Des confirms with a smile.
“I don’t understand?”
“I didn’t need his entire jacket to make your dress for the ball since it was so oversized. I knew I could just chop some off the bottom and still have plenty left over for you to keep. I cropped it so it will fit your frame now and maybe added a few things to give it character.” Shrugging, she adds, “I honestly totally forgot about it until now, or I would have given it to you sooner.”
Rushing forward, I throw my body into hers, enveloping her in a giant hug. She chirps excitedly in my arms like a bird, loving the attention, as always.
Stepping back, I take the jacket and look it over, rubbing the soft leather between my fingers. “I love it, Des. It’s perfect, thank you!”
It truly is a work of art, and getting to keep a part of Theo makes it even more special. I was okay with her cutting his jacket to make a beautiful dress for me, but now, I realize how much I’ve missed having it.
With the bottom trimmed, it falls perfectly at my hips, with little black diamonds sewn across the hem. Des’ signature flare, I’ve decided. The sleeves are cuffed and sewn in place, more black diamonds rimming the edges. She’s lined the inside with a black fleece that goes all the way up to the collar folded at the top. It’s finished off with a dagger made of diamonds sewn down the center of the back, in honor of the dagger I wear around my neck.
Sliding it on, I look at my reflection in the mirror while spinning, devouring every inch. It fits perfectly and allows me to move around without feeling restricted.
“I just knew it!” Des beams beside me. “This is definitely what you’re wearing.”
Sifting through the piles of clothes scattered throughout the room, she pulls out a pair of black flare pants to pair with the jacket, a simple white tank, and black boots. After getting dressed, she twists back my front two curls, joining them in the back and tying them off. We both decide against any makeup, comfortable with my natural features and freckles.
Just when I finish getting ready, a knock sounds on my door, and my nerves decide to make an appearance. Striding over, I open the door and come face to face with a very casual looking, but still just as handsome, Hade.
“Ready?”
“Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!”
Well, Des was right. This is definitely…casual. Hade pushes me along with his hand on the small of my back towards a rugged looking, but very lively, tavern nestled in the heart of the city. The night sky casts a blanket of shadow across the tops of the unique buildings in contrast to the bright light and rowdy cheers streaming through the front window.
“The Hammered Nail…” I read aloud from the rusted sign literally hammered with a single nail into the crooked wooden door.
