Page 28 of The Divine Shallows
“If I let you sleep any longer, you’ll surely be late to the Iron Hollows for the Second Day. You mustn’t be late for the Favor of the Seven,” Ora lectured. “And don’t think I’m oblivious to your spontaneous encounter with the Darkmaw prince last night.”
“Oh, come on, admit it. He’s rather charming, isn’t he?” Elowyn teased, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.
The handmaiden waived away the comment, struggling to conceal the sideways smile on her lips. She hoisted Elowyn out of bed anddraped her in a silk robe before seating her at a small table. With a flourish, Ora unveiled a tray containing fruits, sliced meats, and a bowl of warmed oats.
“Due to your tardiness, I’ve arranged for your breakfast to be brought to your room,” Ora said sternly. “Hurry and eat. I’ll be back in a few moments to help you get dressed for the Second Day.”
With that, Ora bustled off toward the exit of Elowyn’s chambers.
Elowyn scooped up a spoonful of brown sugar and dropped it into her oats, followed by a splash of cream. She stirred the mixture as her thoughts drifted to the upcoming Second Day. In the previous Ceremony, she had only participated in the rituals of the First and Seventh Day, confined to the Heart of the Temple. She suspected she had been too young. While her father, mother, and older sister participated in the week-long Ceremony, she remained under Ora’s vigilant watch in Eriden.
The Iron Hollows, situated to the southwest of Eriden, was a kingdom she had yet to visit before. Nestled within a cavernous region, their realm wasliterallybuilt beneath a rocky canyon, hundreds of meters below the surface. Their subterranean kingdom resembled a labyrinth, with the royal castle positioned at its core, similar to a hive. King Wilden and Queen Irena Bloodweaver ruled over the Iron Hollows, along with their two sons, Thomys and Theoden Bloodweaver. The mere thought of the second Bloodweaver prince made Elowyn recoil; the image of the dark-haired prince filled her with disgust. She was far from thrilled to spend the entirety of the day in their lightless kingdom.
Finishing breakfast with a frown on her brow, Elowyn rose to refresh herself in her bath chamber. A soft knock on the doorframe interrupted her, and she turned to see not Ora, but Elyria floating into her room. Dressed in a magnificent dress of sage tulle, Elyria’s skirts flowed around her like the colors of spring.
Draping around her shoulders, Elyria wore a goldenaureum, herdress’s train flowing behind her as she greeted Elowyn with a warm smile. Today, she wore a silver circlet upon her head, her wavy hair woven into a sleek braid that fell down her back, decorated with miniature wildflowers nestled within the twists. Her attire stood in stark contrast to the obsidian gown she wore the previous day.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Elyria said in a soothing voice.
“Hi, I missed you last night,” Elowyn replied with a delighted smile, a sense of comfort enveloping her.
“I stopped by your room late yesterday evening, but it seemed you were elsewhere,” Elyria remarked, her gaze probing. “Anything you’d like to share?”
Elowyn blushed sheepishly. “I met someone. He’s interesting. We talked for hours, and it was... nice. It was a relief to unwind for a while, despite everything.”
Elyria smiled fondly. “Sounds promising, perhaps?”
Elowyn smirked at the question but swiftly changed the subject. “Where did you disappear to last night? What did mother have to say?”
Elyria’s expression faltered slightly, but she shook her head. “That’s a conversation for another time. Come, let’s get you dressed before we’re late for the Iron Hollows. I’ve managed to persuade Ora to let me handle your wardrobe, which was a feat within itself.”
Taking Elowyn’s hand, Elyria led her to the grand vanity in her bath chamber. Elowyn sat as Elyria picked up an ornate brass hairbrush and began to comb through her sister’s snow-white locks. Each stroke was a soothing rhythm, almost lulling Elowyn back to sleep. Soon, Elyria began separating locks of hair in sections, weaving in golden silk ribbons, entwining them to form tight braids.
Once Elyria had fashioned two braids near the temples of Elowyn’s head, she brought them together at a central point, weaving them into a crown. The remaining strands fell down Elowyn’s back, sleek and smooth like a blanket of snow. Stepping back, Elyria admired her handiwork, pleased with the result.
“I’ll just be a moment,” Elyria murmured, leaning down to embrace her sister in a fleeting half-hug. Her gaze lingered on the opal teardrop necklace around Elowyn’s neck, a soft smile gracing her lips before she vanished into the adjoining room.
While Elyria was off presumably finding a gown, Elowyn reached into the drawer beneath her vanity and retrieved a jewelry box. She began pinning golden flower hairpins into her braids, adding a touch of glint to her hair. Next, she retrieved a compact from the drawer and carefully applied kohl to line her upper eyelids, adding a rosy blush to her cheeks and staining her lips with a floral color to match. Tilting her head, she inspected her reflection just as Elyria returned to the room.
“Surprise!” Elyria announced, presenting the stunning periwinkle gown with silver accents from her own wardrobe that Elowyn adored.
“Wait, seriously?” Elowyn exclaimed, eyes widening in disbelief.
“It’s all yours,” Elyria confirmed, holding the gown out towards her sister.
Elowyn sprang from her seat, clutching the dress in one arm while enveloping her sister in a tight embrace with the other. “You’re the best.”
“I know,” Elyria shrugged her shoulders, both sisters giggling.
“All right, hurry and get changed before Ora orders for my head to be served on a platter,” Elyria chided. “I’ll be waiting in the antechamber.”
Still marveling at the gown in her arms, Elowyn ran her fingers over the shimmering fabric. Giving Elyria a serious look, she declared, “Just so you know, I’m not giving this back.”
Elyria shook her head with a resigned smile. “Oh, I’m well aware.”
Once Elyria left, Elowyn wasted no time in shedding her robe and slipping into the periwinkle gown. As she gazed into the mirror, she was nearly taken aback. The dress exceeded all her expectations—it was more beautiful than she ever imagined it could be.
The fabric hugged her figure, the backopening to highlight her curves. Purple-blue organza covered her form in luminous layers, lined with silver pearls arranged in patterns, resembling a stream of starlight. Delicate lilac embroidery decorated the gown, adding to its beauty. She twirled in front of the mirror and the train of her dress whirled with her, gathering in a glimmering spiral at her feet.
