Page 68 of Spirit Rites
I laugh. “How long are you going to stay that way?”
She shrugs. “At least a few more minutes.”
“Okay. Well, I guess I’ll see you in a little bit then.”
She drops her head back against the cushions. “I’ll probably still be here.”
Taren, who’s standing near the screen at the front door, shakes his head. “She won’t be; she’ll have moved on to five different things before you come back out.”
Somehow, I’m not surprised. “Okay. Well, I’ll see you later then, Mae.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I meet Taren’s eyes, and he just smirks. “I’ll be right outside if you need me, Kinsley.”
I wave him off. “Oh, I’m fine. You go do whatever you need to do.”
He gives me a small smile. “I’ll be right outside.”
I make my way back to the bedroom where Rakel has several articles of clothing on the bed. “Oh, wow.” I stop in front of the jade-colored items that caught my attention first. “This is...” Words fail me.
“Do you like them?” Rakel asks.
I’m still staring at the gorgeous pieces. “They’re...they look regal enough for a queen to wear.” I finger the soft silk.
“That’s the point,” Rakel says pointedly. I open my mouth and then shut it, not knowing what to say. “Try those pieces on first. I want to see how they fit.”
I pick up both pieces being as careful as I can and carry them into the bathroom. I put on the gorgeous dress first. When I start to slip it on, I realize with delight that there are pants under the skirt made of the same silk material. I slip into the pants first and then slip the dress over my head. The dress has a long slit and a gap in the front that gives me room to move and even fight, if I had to. The fabric is so smooth and soft and hangs so nicely. When I look in the mirror, I stare at myself in shock. The color is stunning as are the threads of gold that are woven into the silk, and it brings out the blue-green color of my eyes.
“Do you need help?” Rakel calls out from the bedroom.
Her words startle me into action. I open the bathroom door and step out. “What do you think?”
Rakel clasps her hands in front of her. “You look every inch the queen that you are.”
Chapter 32
I try on several other pieces of clothing. Rakel pins me here and there, but for the most part, everything fits beautifully. “These are for you but hide them from Kaldar until you’re ready for them.”
I look at the bag she’s holding. “What’s in there that I need to hide?”
She shrugs. “I mean you don’t have to hide them from him, but it’s much more fun to see them on.”
Curiosity has the best of me now, and I open the bag. It only takes me seconds to realize what’s in the bag. I quickly fold it over. “Thank you.” My voice is high-pitched, and I can’t look at Rakel.
“Just let me know if anything doesn’t fit right; though I’m not worried about it fitting too much. I figure you won’t be wearing any of it for too long.”
“Oh, I’m sure it will all fit fine. It’s great. Thank you so much.” I’m ready to die a silent death in humiliation, but I try to keep my composure.
We spend the next hour or so trying everything on. Most things are pretty good. She completely reworks one dress, having me try it on multiple times after each change. Finally, she finishes.
“Thank you so much, Rakel. You really are gifted.”
“You’re welcome.”
I open the door, and we walk back out to the main room. I’m not surprised to see that Mae is no longer here. She always seems to be on the go. Taren is gone as well, but I would guess that he’s keeping watch from somewhere close outside. I hearthe sound of raised voices coming through the open door, and I pause... When I hear someone say, “Kaldar’s mate,” I can no longer ignore the conversation. I push through the screen and step outside. There are five men talking to Taren.Correction. Four men and one woman. Taren’s back is to me, and the five adults in green robes are spread out in front of him. The man in the center lifts his head and makes eye contact with me. “So, she does exist.”
Taren glances over his shoulder at me, eyes narrowed. He nods towards the house, but I don’t move. “What’s going on?” I ask instead.
