First World(76)

She was worried about being late. It had taken them longer than expected to tackle me into the chair.

She was already dressed in a flowing floor-length green gown. She looked amazing and exotic, like a Grecian goddess in the one-shouldered dress. Blowing me a kiss, she left the room.

“Luce,” I exclaimed, seeing her for the first time. “You look gorgeous.”

At some point during my torture, she’d found time to get ready. Her wavy hair had been straightened. She was wearing a strapless blue dress which matched the color of her eyes. They looked even bluer than normal. As she moved, the chiffon lace sheath swished around her legs.

“How have you had time to get ready and help me?”

She rolled her eyes. “Making you look beautiful is not exactly a difficult thing.”

I groaned. It had certainly felt difficult.

We made it into my wardrobe. Lucy grabbed my dress from the hanger. I had chosen a simple black silk. Hand-tailored to fit me, it was all kinds of stunning. Stepping into the tightly fitted sheath and adjusting the bodice, I slipped the halter over my neck. For the first time I had cleavage and I was a bit proud of it. It even covered the pink scar on my chest.

Lucy zipped me up before handing me a pair of killer black heels. And killer was right. After two minutes in five-inch stilettos, I’d have broken my neck.

I shook my head. “No, Luce, we already discussed this.”

She just gave me the look, heels hooked over her hand. Sighing, I took them. I’d put them on downstairs.

“Are you going to check out our hard work before we head down?” She had no problem stomping around in her own heels.

Screwing up my nose, I shook my head. I wasn’t ready to face a mirror. I wasn’t ready to turn eighteen. I just needed everything to slow down. Glancing toward the side of my room, I could see the backpack, ready for our adventure the next day. Code name: save the world.

“No, I trust you and we’re already late.” I needed air and to wash my face. But if I did that Lucy would knock me out for sure. We left my room and headed down the hall.

“So, do you think Brace is going to be here tonight?” Most of the time I managed to avoid talking about him.

Now if I could just stop thinking about him, I’d be set. I kept reliving his expression as he broke Olden’s neck, the panic I read in his eyes as he dropped beside me.

Lucy walked smoothly, despite her own six-inch heels. “Sam mentioned that Deralick and Quarn should be here tonight.”

“He is just so different from my dream, Luce. I never thought it would be this complicated.”

She smiled knowingly. “Of course he’s different; you had a one-dimensional view of a fictional character. I know you enjoyed the mystery and even a little the pain as he was wrenched away from you each night, but this is real life. He’s flesh and blood with emotions and issues of his own. You need to take the time to get to know him.”

Her insight was a refreshing change from her usual suggestive comments.

“You’re different since your kidnapping.”

Smiling, her eyes twinkled. “It’s not just the time on Earth. It’s Sam.”

I came to a grinding halt at her suggestive tone. “Are you saying – you and Sam – like went the whole hog? Did the deed? Shoed the horse?”

She laughed. “Seriously? The whole hog. Shoed the horse? One would think we were farm animals. How am I supposed to use those mental pictures the next time I’m with all the sexiness that is Sammy?”

“I want to scrub my eyes, ears and mouth out. Brother, remember?”

Continuing to chuckle, she dragged me along the hall again. “Speaking of sexy, have I told you how much I am ‘in love hearting’ your marks?”

She hadn’t stopped gushing about them since I’d revealed them to her the other day. She had already known the basics about the Walkers from Samuel. But seeing the real thing had impressed her.

“They’re just gorgeous. It’s like a frame was made to showcase your unfairly advantageous beauty.”

I laughed. As she took my arm, her expression was calculated. We paused at the landing outside the ballroom.

“You ready, Abbs?”

Reaching up a hand, I attempted to pat my hair, which appeared to be piled on my head in an elaborate up-do.

Lucy snatched at my hand. “Starting to regret not checking the mirror before you left?”

Oh, that was just evil. I grabbed at her arm as she stepped away, stalling my inevitable entrance into the ballroom.

“I’m scared to see him, Luce.” I shared the unshakable fears I held deep in my heart. “He just doesn’t feel the connection.” My heart was heavy with a multitude of regret and despair.