Page 17 of A Kiss From Death
“It helps keep my demons at bay…so yes, it is my everything.”
“Well, I might just be your hardest canvas yet. Give me your best, Des.” I wink, giving her carte blanche to do as she pleases.
She licks her lips and claps. “I love a good challenge.”
Her hands take on a life of their own, moving so fast, I find it hard to keep up with them. Her face contorts as she focuses on turning me into a masterpiece. The air around us feels charged and begins to warm with the presence of magic.
She finishes up with my face and moves to my hair that falls in long curls down my back. “I have just the perfect idea for your hair. We will keep it simple tonight to start, since this is just the welcome dinner. We don’t want to set the bar too high this early in the Crucible.” She puts both hands on her hips with a smug smile, like she never doubted herself in the slightest.
“Stay put. I’ll be right back. Don’t touch a thing, or I will filet you like a guppy.” Even her threats come off childish; I’m certain Des couldn’t hurt a fly even if she tried.
Empress help me.
“Holy Empress…”I whisper as I take in the woman staring at me in the mirror.
“More like a hot piece of meat,” Des coos over my shoulder as she admires her handiwork.
I’ve never felt so…so…beautiful in my entire existence. Des truly earned Luster title as I take in my reflection.
She’s left my hair in long, obsidian curls, but she opted to French braid the top half down the center of my part before tying it in a knot so the curls continue down my back.
To bring it all together, she’s speared it with a silver miniature dagger to hold the knot in place. The handle depicts silver vines with flowers growing around it, adding a touch of beauty paired with the symbol of death. A symbol to represent myself.
My pale skin sparkles like I’m being lit up in harsh sunlight. She’s smoked out my eyelids in a gradient of charcoal and gray, painted my lashes in a black glitter, and added tiny gemstones on them, turning them into a starry night sky. She’s added shine to my high cheekbones, and they catch the light in a blinding manner. To finish the look, she’s painted my round lips a deep plum.
What emboldens me the most, though, is the simple, classic dress she’s picked out for me. It fits me like a glove, as if she’s been holding onto it for this exact moment.
What transpires before my eyes can only be compared to the saying opposites attract. My pale, glimmering skin takes on a godly glow against the midnight satin dress. The simple thin crystal straps hold up the low, swooping neckline, showing off my small cleavage. The satin hugs my middle and sucks in around my round hips. One side is ruched, supporting a high cut slit that exposes most of my thigh and leg. The hem is adorned with teardrop crystals that dance as I move. It’s paired with clear glass, open-toed slippers.
“You, my friend, are a one of a kind masterpiece.” Des beams at me, unwavering admiration in her eyes.
“Thank you, for everything. This is the greatest gift you could ever give me. I feel beautiful for once in my life. I will cherish this for the rest of my days.” It’s then I notice the twin smile to Des’ shining on my own face. “I would like to add one more thing to my outfit, if that’s okay.” I ask nervously.
“Of course. This is all for you, my friend.”
I reach into my small bag of belongings and pull out my weathered dagger necklace, holding it up for Des to take as I turn around and lift my hair for her.
She claps it around my neck, the dagger nuzzling the center of my exposed cleavage. I take a deep breath in and use the necklace as a place of comfort to hold all my nerves.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I smile at Des. “Let the games begin.”
Swinging my door open, I’m greeted by a tall figure I think is deathly allergic to smiling. “Death Reaper,” I spew in greeting. “Whatever have I done to be graced with your positively joyous presence?” My tone straddles on the line between mocking and disinterest.
He ignores my snarky comment and gestures his arm out for me to join him. I stride past him, and I’m about to drop another attitude-filled remark just to get under his skin when my arm is abruptly swept up into the crook of someone else’s, wedged against their body.
Turning my head, I’m greeted by an icy blue gaze and wolfish grin. I’m tugged along down the hallway, and behind me I can hear what could only be described as an animalistic growl from Hade.
Sheesh, someone needs to let offsome steam.
I make a mental note to bring up his growling problem the next time he gets under my skin. Tucking that away for later, I focus my attention back on the other thorn in my ass:Aeron.
“You clean up well for a Vagrant,” he utters.
“Ouch!” I screech. Aeron’s eyebrows raise the faintest amount in question. “Just wounded from you being such a pain in my ass.” He blinks at me rapidly in confusion. “What? Were we not stating facts?” I shrug nonchalantly.
He chuckles to himself. “She’s a fighter.”
