Page 110 of When the Wicked Sing
“She’s now the queen of the largest fae kingdom on this side of the world.” Ophelia offered the excuse like it validated everything, and yet Mariana found herself utterly confused.
“I don’t see why that should keep you two from being together. If she loves you too, then she should fight for you. Fight to be with you. That’s true love, Ophelia. And you should accept nothing less.”
Ophelia gave her a shy but appreciative smile. “So should you,” she said, lifting an eyebrow.
Mariana had to look away, unable to admit to what she was implying.
“So, where is that fiery sister of yours?” Ophelia’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Kosta hasn’t stoppedcomplainingabout her. I’d say she did a number on him.”
Mariana released a sighing chuckle. “Yeah, they really enjoyed stepping on each other’s toes. Aurora went back to Sirenia.” She rubbed her hands together, curiosity getting the best of her when she asked, “How did you and Kosta both end up working at the palace?”
Ophelia sat down beside her, pushing the gown box over. “Kosta was hired as a royal guard some time ago. I would visit him during his breaks and … well … one day, I had analtercationwith a spirit that left me in the medical bay. Basically, I passedout, and Kosta rushed me to the medics. It was a whole dramatic thing, which Halia heard about, so she approached me. Asked me to live in the palace and be her right hand. I agreed instantly.”
“Because you fell in love with her the moment you saw her?” Mariana gave her a teasing smile.
Ophelia rolled her eyes. “I mean … It wasn’t theonlyreason.” Her smile dipped slightly. “No, I was desperate to find a place to belong. Our parents were dead; our home was a shack on the outskirts of the city. I had no one except my brother, who lived in the palace and sent me all his earnings just to keep me alive.” She shook her head, shame clouding her expression. “I hated every moment of my life back then. Now, here in the palace, I have purpose. A home.”
Mariana nodded. She understood the spiraling turmoil of not knowing where you belonged or why you were even born. It used to bother her daily when she felt like she couldn’t do anything to help her people.
“Helplessness and hopelessness make the best of friends when you’re left alone with them in the dark.”
Ophelia lifted her eyes to Mariana’s and gave her a forced smile. “All we can do is keep going, right?”
Mariana swallowed. “I don’t know. Lately, I’ve felt like everything has been falling apart. I lost my sister. My mother is dying. And the fate of my people rests on my shoulders.”
Ophelia’s eyes dimmed. “I’m so sorry.”
“Sometimes, I don’t know how to keep going,” she admitted. “I wish I could crawl into a cave and hide from it all.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s possible.” Ophelia sighed. “All I know is that things happen for reasons we have noright to understand. But we were destined to be here. Especially in this moment.”
Mariana scoffed and crossed her arms. “Now you can see the future?”
“No.” The Seer shook her head. “But sometimes, I think my spirits can.”
Mariana couldn’t tell if she was being serious.
“I have a hard time understanding them sometimes,” Ophelia explained. “Their words often overlap and confuse me. Sometimes, they’re even in other languages—which has caused me a lot of headaches over the years. I’ve learned to speak twelve languages,allin an attempt to understand them.” She kept her eyes down and shook her head in disdain as Mariana’s brows lifted with admiration. “Even then, I still struggle.” Ophelia sighed and looked down at her hands. “All I know is that the moment I heard your name from Astra, it turned the spirit world upside down. But then it quieted again, and …” She struggled to grasp the right words and shook her head. “It was like a storm had passed over the Veil, and when it was over, the words were clear.”
Mariana had no idea what to make of Ophelia’s confession. She made it sound like it was important. “What does it mean?”
Ophelia shrugged. “My guess is that the spirits know you’re important enough to keep safe, and they’re trying to help you by having me guide you. They know more than we’ll ever know. Secrets that we may never hear.”
“Help me with what, exactly?
“Well, first I’m going to help you into this dress,” she said in a cheerful tone, holding up the gown. “Then we can figure out the rest.” Ophelia gave her a wink. “Let’s turn you into aqueen.”
Mariana rolled her eyes.
Ophelia helped her into the first layer. It was a deep teal color, mimicking the shade of Mariana’s hair. Its layers swirled softly around her ankles before pooling at her feet. She gazed at herself in the mirror as Ophelia busied herself with getting the second layer ready.
The dress did remind her of the sea. The top was a deep V exposing her cleavage, which she guessed was to be covered up by the second layer. Her back was completely exposed, revealing the scales she was proud to show off. The silky material faded into soft shades of white with each ruffle, as though Mariana was wearing a hundred waves cresting along her body. Her hips were exposed through large cut-outs, sparingly laced together with a shimmering ribbon.
Mariana couldn’t help herself. She spun, amazed at how the waves came alive, rippling in the light. Ophelia smiled at her in the mirror and then told her to hold still. She laid a semi-transparent, shimmering fabric over Mariana’s shoulders, securing the sheer material with the string at her hips. Mariana ran her fingers over the pearls sewn into the edges and marveled over the softness of the beautiful gown.
“Here are the sandals that match.” Ophelia helped Mariana put on the pearl-white shoes with low heels, despite mild protesting and a few choice words.
Then she felt something heavy being placed on her head and lifted her eyes to the mirror.
