Page 22 of Bought By the Revenant
“Hold still just a moment longer,” Talia says. She writes my measurements in a small leather-bound notebook. “Mina will handle the embroidery for your dress. She’s the finest needleworker in all of Luminea.”
A revenant woman with copper-colored hair looks up from her workstation and smiles. I can barely see the stitching along her jawline.
“It would be my honor,” she says.
“Oona will ensure the perfect fit,” Talia continues, gesturing toward a tall, thin revenant with dark hair who’s arranging fabric samples. “And Hal creates all our patterns.”
The only male revenant in the room nods politely from his spot near a large table covered in paper templates. He holds a pencil, and I notice a thin line that runs from his temple down to his collar, the only visible sign of his stitching.
“How long have you all worked together?” I ask, trying not to move while Talia measures across my shoulders.
“Oh, let’s see...” Talia purses her lips. “Hal joined us about forty years ago, but Mina and Oona have been with me nearly seventy years now.”
I stare at her. Seventy years? Talia looks thirty at most, and her assistants appear the same age. I look over at Riven, who stands across the room examining a bolt of midnight blue velvet, keeping his distance from the others. The truth about marrying him hits me hard. Riven will never age. He will stay exactly the same forever, while I grow old. My skin will wrinkle, my hairwill turn gray, and eventually I will die. And Riven will continue living, unchanged, maybe for centuries after I’m gone.
“Arms out, please,” Talia instructs.
I extend my arms while my mind races with these thoughts. What will Riven think when I’m an old woman and he still looks the same? Will he still want me? Will he regret marrying a human who ages and dies?
“What fabrics were you considering for your wedding dress?” Talia asks.
I push away my worries and focus on her question. I can think about our different lifespans later.
“White, of course, but I’d like to incorporate some blue as well. It’s my favorite color.”
Riven looks up, his white eyes growing brighter.
“Like your nails,” he says softly.
I look at my blue-painted fingernails and smile.
“Yes.”
Talia nods approvingly.
“I have the perfect fabrics.” She gestures to Oona, who brings over several samples – a shining white silk, and a rich blue satin that catches the light. “These would complement each other wonderfully.”
“They’re perfect.”
“We’ll have the dress ready in three days. Master Riven’s bride deserves special attention.”
Riven shifts his weight, clearly uncomfortable with the formal title.
“Thank you, Talia.”
“It’s been many years since you commissioned anything besides your usual attire,” she observes. Her eyes move quickly to his face before she looks away again.
“Yes, well,” Riven says awkwardly, “circumstances have changed.”
After Talia finishes taking my measurements, I step down from the platform and walk to Riven’s side.
“Could we explore the village a bit?” I ask him. “I’d like to see Aura Glade while we’re here.”
“Are you sure? We could return home if you prefer.”
“I’m sure,” I insist. “Please? I’ve never seen a revenant village before.”
He gives a small nod and offers me his hand.
