ELIA

"Do you like it?

" Candace asked, her eyes bright and curious.

Elia stood in her and Reth's bedroom, eyes wide, staring at the dress Candace had laid over her arms and was offering for Elia's approval.

"Candace… it's beautiful,

" she breathed.

The dress was a halter neck made from the gorgeous, soft, and partly-sheer fabric she'd seen Candace weaving weeks earlier. It was a pale cream, almost white, that gathered from the neck to cover the bust, but from the ribs it had been embroidered in softly swirling shapes in multiple shades of gold and blue. The stitched pattern covered almost all the fabric at the stomach, but as the dress flared to the floor, the spaces between them widened, like petals falling from a blossom tree.

"I'm glad you like it,

" Candace said with a wide smile.

"I knew the colors would suit your skin, but I'll admit, it is difficult not being familiar with your style.

"

"I love it, Candace. It… it feels like a wedding dress.

"

"Little late for that,

" Aymora snorted from behind her. She and Candace laughed, but Elia reached out to touch the beautiful stitching on the dress, biting her lip to keep back tears.

"And I didn't forget your request,

" Candace whispered as she leaned in.

"I hope you don't mind, I had to change the neckline so it would fit under this. But… I think there is a market for these garments. We must discuss them later,

" her companion said, nodding.

Elia smiled.

"You did that too? I can't believe that—this was enough!

"

Candace rolled her eyes, but her cheeks pinked.

"This is a very special occasion. I was happy to do it.

"

Forgetting herself completely, Elia threw her arms around Candace's neck, who squawked, but soon hugged her back, despite the dress pressed between them.

"Thank you,

" Elia whispered in her ear.

"You're very welcome,

" Candace said.

They both blinked several times as they let go. Then made themselves busy discussing whether it was too early for her to get into the dress. Aymora scoffed and told them both not to be stupid. These things always took longer than expected, and the women still needed to dress Elia's hair.

Elia glanced at the two women standing near the door. One a Leonine, the other a sheep—she thought. The sheep waved and smiled, the other just nodded solemnly. She smiled at both of them.

"Thank you for coming to help. I'm afraid I'm really not good at hair.

"

"That's what we're here for,

" Aymora said, clapping her hands.

"Let's get started. Better to be ready early than to be rushing at the end.

"

Elia sighed as Candace pulled the second piece out from under the dress she'd been holding, and waggled her eyebrows. Elia snorted, then looked around. The Anima were completely unashamed of their bodies. They thought nothing of getting naked and changing in front of each other.

She bit her lip. She knew if she asked, they would all leave the room and let her dress in peace. But she also knew the entire point of this Festival was to connect with the people more personally. If she couldn't adopt these simple customs, how was she going prove herself?

So with a deep breath she started unbuttoning her blouse and praying none of them commented on her rapidly reddening cheeks.

First was the little surprise she'd asked Candace to work on. Made from a single layer of the same fabric as the dress, it was little more than a halter-neck slip. But the neckline plunged to below the level of her breasts, and even where it covered, the semi-sheer fabric showed her skin and curves underneath in a way that she knew would drive Reth wild.

Candace had really outdone herself, however, by adding embroidery. In thread the same color as the fabric, she'd mimicked the pattern of lace from a silk ribbon at the empire waistline at the ribs, up, over Elia's breasts, to hook at the nape of her neck.

Elia couldn't ever remember feeling sexy just by wearing an item of clothing, but as soon as the slip slid over her skin and she pulled the sides of the neckline up to hook behind her, boosting her breasts, something warm and thrilling began to twist in her stomach.

Unaware of Elia's feelings, Candace examined her thoughtfully, having her turn all the way around to ensure the garment fit correctly.

"I could have lifted the hemline slightly,

" she said, frustrated.

"But there isn't time now.

"

"No, please,

" Elia said, smoothing the fabric on her thighs.

"It's perfect.

"

Candace looked like she wanted to argue, but decided it wasn't worth it. Instead, she turned to pick up the dress he'd laid on the bed and told Elia to turn her back to the mirror.

The massive mirror that Reth had pulled out from behind the closet just before he fled all the women arriving at the cave.

Gathering the large skirt of the dress, Candace held it over Elia's head, letting it slide down her extended arms until the curves settled on hers and she was able to pull the sides of the halter-neck up and tie them at the back.

She asked Elia not to turn to the mirror until she was finished, the proceeded to spend far too long straightening seams, tugging at the neckline, tutting to herself, and stepping back before she pressed her lips together and said,

"I think that's the best I can do in the time we have. Take a look,

" she said, her eyes bright.

Elia closed her eyes and turned around, then opened them and her mouth dropped open.

The layers of the semi-sheer fabric moved against each other as she shifted and fluffed the skirt, looking for all the world as if white smoke drifted across her skin in the shape of a dress. But even more than the beautiful fabric…

"They're butterflies!

" she gasped.

With her distance from the mirror the shapes she'd thought were so beautiful on the embroidery pulled together and she realized the wavy gold lines were all bodies, each with swirling blue patterns that formed the shapes of wings.

"Oh, good! You can tell!

" Candace said.

"I didn't want to make it too obvious, but… they're to signify your transformation into Queen,

" she said sheepishly.

"I know it's not very subtle, but—

"

"Candace, I love it! Thank you!

"

"You're welcome,

" her friend said, clearly pleased.

Elia couldn't take her eyes off the dress. She swayed in front of the mirror like a little girl playing dress up, and she didn't care.

She had never felt so beautiful.

"You are a true master, Candace,

" she said, shaking her head.

"We will have to…

" she trailed off, realizing the room had gone quiet.

She turned to look over her shoulder, and found Reth standing in the doorway, his mouth open in surprise. But then he blinked and it snapped closed and he cleared his throat.

"I appreciate all that you're doing to help my mate, but I need the room for a moment,

" Reth said, his voice dark.

Elia's heart sank. He was clearly avoiding her eyes, his face somber and strained.

What had happened? She prayed that, whatever it was, they wouldn't have to call off the festival.

She nodded at the women and they filed out slowly, throwing concerned glances at her. But she just kept her eyes on Reth, who stood next to the door, his head down.

Then, when Aymora, the last to leave, walked through and patted his arm, muttering something that made him twitch, he closed the door softly behind them all and leaned his head on it for a second.

"Oh, Reth,

" she said, hands to her mouth.

"What's happened?

"

*****

Want more hot men, and strong women? Check out my *NEW* book--Updating twice daily:

TAMING THE QUEEN OF BEASTS: Elreth is about to challenge her father for dominance--and win! But as the Anima's first ever Alpha Female, she has a difficult road ahead. Her best friend, Aaryn, is a disformed wolf. Definitely not the people's first choice for the new Queen's mate. Can love conquer all? Or will their bond be the end of Elreth's rule?