Page 100 of Immortal Origins
“Thank you,” she said as the words clogged her throat. She took a deep breath as Ernaline stood back to admire her handiwork. For now, her heart felt whole. “I missed you.”
Ernaline grabbed her hands in hers and squeezed. “I really missed you too.”
In an attempt to lighten the mood, Ambrose turned to the abomination of an outfit she’d be wearing for the ball. “You want to help me get this thing on?”
The gown was truly breathtaking.
It hugged her hips and waist perfectly, the neckline dipping to just above her navel while the hem hung just above the floor when she had her shoes on, the back of it trailing a good foot behind her. Crimson trimmed in gold and silver thread. She did her best not to think of how Casimir had guessed her measurements so correctly as the gown was obviously custom-made for the occasion.
Worn on its own, it would’ve been her favorite thing she’d ever worn.
But it wasn’t made to be worn on it’s own.
Ernaline helped her cinch the sternum plate on, this one absent of the usual string to secure it in place. Instead, Ernaline pulled out several small golden locks with a matching set of keys. Even the corset was a perfect fit.
Clearly the dress wasn’t the only thing custom-made.
Ernaline clasped the collar around her neck and closed it with one of the gilded locks. Fingers trembling, she did the same and secured the wrist cuffs around her arms, locking them into place.
She slipped the rings of keys into Ambrose’s hand. “Keep these. Casimir said I was to return them to him, but I can tell him that I lost them onthe way back. If he’s going to make you wear this thing, then at least you should be the one to hold the keys.”
Ambrose had no words as her heart tugged in her chest.
She held the ring of keys in her palm and tucked it safely into the side of her corset, hidden from prying eyes but close enough to reach. If anyone understood how she was feeling, of course it would be Ernaline. She had no idea how much this small act of kindness meant to Ambrose.
“You’re my best friend in the entire continent, you know that?”
“You’re my sister, you’ve been my sister since the day we met.” Ernaline pulled her into a tight embrace. “You’re no one’s property anymore. You belong toyou.”
Ambrose blinked back the tears that stung her eyes and threatened to stream down her face. Words could never express her gratitude to her friend in that moment. “I swear I’ll find a way to do the same for you. If it takes the rest of my life, I’ll find a way to free you. I promise.”
Ernaline pat her cheek, her brown eyes filled with sadness. “How about you focus on actually being alive to live the rest of your life? Then we can figure out the rest, okay?”
Ambrose grinned. Her best friend. The only sister she’d ever know. One of the only people who’d stuck by her side her entire life.
“Deal.”
Ernaline returned her smile. “So, you think you’re ready for today?”
“As ready as I can be.” Ambrose nodded. No going back now. “Although, I wish Akadian was here. I haven’t seen him.”
Ernaline glanced around. “He isn’t here?”
“No, I assumed he must have been called in to greet the other royals. Today being what it is and all.” Ambrose stretched, making sure she had good mobility in the gown. “Have you seen him?”
The beautiful fae shook her head, curls bouncing around her face. Ernaline had opted for her own up-down hairstyle as well. Trading in her casual bun for a more elegant look, flowers woven in as they always were. “No. He wasn’t at breakfast when we served the rest of the royals so I assumed he was still here with you. The king was actually pretty pissed hedidn’t show up. The other royals started arriving at high moon last night so the king greeted them without him.”
Something sank from Ambrose’s chest and crashed into her gut. Akadian explicitly told her he always showed up for breakfast to have a united front, and of all days, it definitely wasn’t a good one to suddenly skip. He wouldn’t chance Casimir’s wrath.
Something was wrong.
Seeing the concern on her face, Ernaline quickly said, “I’m sure he’s fine and just off doing something princely. I wouldn’t worry about it, I’m sure he’ll find you as soon as he can. For now, I’ll keep an eye out around the palace and tell him to come find you if I catch him.”
Ambrose gave her a half smile. “I’m sure you’re right. It’s not just a big day for me, it’s a big day for all of us. Especially the royals. You said other royals have been showing up since last night? Maybe he just went to find some of them. It’s probably nothing.” She desperately wanted to believe those words, but something deep inside her couldn’t quite bring herself to. She’d have to find him as quickly as she could.
“Exactly.” Ernaline nodded and squeezed her hand. “Princely stuff.”
This was the first time since her trial she’d be in the palace without him by her side and a part of her felt like a piece was missing. A hole in her chest where his place should be. She pushed the worries to the back of her mind. “Have you seen any of the other royals yet?”
