Page 78 of Touch of Death
“You would do that for me?”
“If you wish it.”
“I would like that very much,” she says, nearly unable to contain her excitement as she watches me.
I chew my lip as I try to think of a name to give her, suddenly finding my mind as blank as a new canvas. I’m starting to worry I won’t be able to come up with a name when one suddenly pops into my head.
“How about Florence?”
“Florence,” she repeats, testing out the name for herself. “Yes. Yes, I think that will do.”
I give her a smile as she rises and helps me out of my dress.
“Thank you, Florence,” I say, sinking into the steaming bath, and she beams at me.
Florence sets to work washing my body and hair, taking extra care to message my head and shoulders too. Once satisfied that I’m as clean and relaxed as she can get me, Florence helps me up out of the bath.
Wrapping a towel around me, she leads me over to the chair by the fire. I’m barely able to sit still as the attendant rubs sweetly-scented oils into my skin and pulls my hair into an elaborate crown of braids that hangs down my back.
It’s only when she finishes that I realize I don’t see a dress set out for me.
“I’m not going naked, am I?” I whisper to her in fear.
“No,” she chuckles, “Eros insisted he present the dress to you personally once you were ready.”
With that, she turns and walks over to open the door. Eros stands just outside, and in his arms is the sparkling white gown I’d wanted to wear earlier.
“You will wear this tonight,” he says, “and put all others to shame.”
My eyes widen as I take in his gift. Standing, I clutch the towel to me as I reach out hesitantly, my fingers grazing the fabric. It’s soft and cool to the touch, and I can feel the weight of it in my hands. It’s truly a work of art as it sparkles like starlight.
“Thank you,” I say softly as Florence accepts the dress for me.
“Thank me by wearing it and winning your safety.”
I nod, hardly knowing what to say, as he gives me a nod and excuses himself from the room.
Florence helps me into the dress, and it is as if it was made specifically for me. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and can hardly believe it is me staring back.
The sparkling white fabric hugs my curves in all the right places, with a fitted bodice and low-cut neckline that shows off just enough of my cleavage to be alluring without being vulgar.
Florence places a pair of opalescent heels on the floor, carefully helping me step into them to complete the outfit.
I feel like a princess, though I know that this is far from a fairytale.
Still, I smile as Florence opens the door, and I step out into the main room where Death and Eros are waiting. The skirt falls in gentle folds around my legs, sweeping the floor with every step I take.
“Perfect,” Eros says quietly. “Your presence is … everything.”
I flush at his praise, taking in the intricate design of his own bright white garments and ornate mask. They almost seem to float around him while at the same time fitting him like a glove. My eyes shift behind him as Death steps forward, emerging from his own shadows.
He is wearing his own clothes now and is obviously much more comfortable for it. He stands tall and imposing as his eyes slowly move over me, causing the fire I feel for him to burn brighter within me.
“Stunning,” Death breathes, stepping closer. He reaches out to brush away a stray hair before placing a delicate mask over the top half of my face and tying the ribbons behind my head. “You would outshine even the brightest star in the darkest of nights … but here, you will blind them. Are you sure you want to do this?”
I look up at him as he searches my face with uncertainty.
I can understand his hesitation right now; after all, we’ve barely had any time to prepare … but we’ve come too far.
