Eudora
I am exhausted after a restless night of sleep and being woken up at the crack of dawn by my maids. I tossed and turned all night worried about Aren and the other's sneaking around the palace. Ryland's reassuring words were the only things that kept me from leaving my room to join them. Ryland relaxes on the bed while I have to get poked and prodded everywhere.
There is a slight knock and a whispered conversation that fills me with panic. What if they were caught? I watch the interaction through the mirror and then I try to turn my head to get a better look, but the maid who is intricately curling and braiding my hair grunts and forces my head to face forward.
"It looks like the Emperor has allowed you a few visitors." The maid stationed at my door announces to the room.
I watch in the mirror as Max, Kaden, Leon, Gia, Koda and Charlotte enter the room. Gia looks around and smiles broadly. "Look at all this stuff! It's incredible. Hey, could you spare a maid to do my hair too?"
I smile back. "I seem to have plenty of maids. I am sure I can spare one."
The maid who is stationed at the door steps forward and clears her throat. "The Emperor has only permitted your friends to visit for five minutes."
My face falls. "Oh okay."
The maid sees my sorrow and signs. "I'll send three maids to their waiting room after they leave here who can assist them with anything they need to prepare for your bonding ceremony."
This compromise lifts my spirits a little. "Thank you."
Max walks over to my side and kneels next to me. He gently places his giant hand over mine. To anyone who doesn't know about his power, the gesture would seem casual. "Aren and Bennett along with the witches are okay. They found out the Emperor is planning on giving you a spelled necklace that will make you obedient. They have broken the obedience spell, but you'll still have to act obedient or the Emperor will know we've been tampering with his plans."
"Thank you."
Max lifts his hand and steps away allowing Koda to take his place. Koda makes eye contact with me through the mirror. "You look beautiful. Keep your head up."
Leon kneels down on the other side of me. "You are so strong."
I hear Kaden's voice, even though I can't see him. "You're beautiful and you've got this or whatever." I smile imagining the slight blush that decorates his cheeks whenever he tries to be kind. Even after all that has been exchanged between us, Kaden still struggles to be vulnerable around me.
I wave off the maid behind me and she stops working on my hair. I stand and step around the chair. I throw myself at the group of my friends and embrace them. Tears form at the corner of my eyes.
"Don't cry. You don't want to mess up your face." Gia sniffles.
We all hold each other in a large group hug. Their words of support and their presence here have given me strength to face the challenge ahead of me.
All too soon the head maid clears her throat. "I'm sorry miss, but it is time for your visitors to head to their waiting room."
I glance over my friends one last time and give them all a squeeze. They are led away and the door shuts tightly behind them. I retake my place in the chair and the maid returns to fussing over my hair.
Ryland speaks up from his place lounging on the bed. "You can see them again as soon as the ceremony is over."
"I know."
More time passes and the maids around me decide that my hair and makeup are flawless and I am allowed to stand. Ryland is ushered to one side of the room to get dressed while I am ushered to the other. The maids pull an extravagant white ball gown out of the large closet. The dress is stunningly beautiful covered in delicate flowers and lace. The dress has long lace sleeves and is very modest with a turtleneck. One maid pulls out a pair of heels that look like they have been carved out of diamonds and places them in front of me to step into. I step into them and they fit like a glove.
Another maid kneels down in front of me and holds out an opened velvet box displaying an ornate diamond necklace with matching earrings. This must be the necklace Max warned me about. I take a deep breath and then nod allowing the maids to put the jewelry on me.
Once I am done I spin to look in the mirror. As I am examining myself Ryland walks over to join me. He looks handsome in a proper tux decorated with a sash and his awards he received for his time in the military. Ryland takes my hand reassuringly and squeezes it.
He pulls me to him and kisses my forehead. "I am ready to show the world how much you mean to me." The maids all sigh at the words, believing that we are bonding out of love and not being forced by the Emperor.
As if my thoughts made him appear, the Emperor steps into the room. "Look at you lovebirds. You are so excited for your bonding ceremony today." He tells us. "You will make sure the ceremony goes off without a hitch."
I recognize that this is a command and I pretend the obedience necklace works. "Yes sir."
Ryland straightens next to me following my lead. "Yes sir."
The Emperor grins and I shiver at the sight. "Good." Without another word he turns and exits the room. I slump and sigh, leaning on Ryland for support.