“Celeste’s presentation at Court after passing her final Trial,” Salem whispered, he reached out and stroked the material as if he could catch the essence of the female who once wore it. “Matteo wanted her to find an Akrhyn. She wore this to remind himandCourt, she was a Sentinel as well as a single female Akryhn.”
“Open the last one,” Martha said eagerly, “this is so much fun.”
Laughing, Tegan pulled out a soft pink ballgown. There was no other words for it, her father had told her that humans told stories of princesses and this was what Tegan imagined a princess would wear. There was a full taffeta skirt with layers of chiffon over it, a tight-fitting bodice in a twisted sweetheart neckline, leading to chiffon half sleeves. Applique flowers, with tiny jewelled centres scattered across the dress added the finishing detail – it was simply stunning.
“It looks too pretty to touch.” Tegan whispered. “What did she wear this one to?”
She turned to see Salem close his eyes in pain and Martha dipped her head as she frowned. “I’m sorry Salem, I didn’t know this was in here. I didn’t know she kept it.”
“It’s okay, Martha.”
“What is it?” Tegan looked back at the dress. “It’s so beautiful, how could it cause bad memories?”
“Your mother wore this the night it was officially announced that I had been betrothed to Mikayla.”
“Oh,” Tegan looked at the dress. She could almost see it, her mother looking like a beautiful delicate flower, having her heart broken as she watched the male she loved, sworn to another. “Not that one then,” Tegan whispered as her hand fell from the dress.
“Wear whichever one you want to, Tegan,” Salem touched her elbow gently. “It’s time to make new memories.”
Tegan smiled but the last dress had dulled her excitement a little. “I will bag them all up again and bring them to my room,” she started putting them away, her hand stroking the pink chiffon one more time.
Salem cleared his throat and straightened. “Is there any you think you would want to wear tonight?” his forced jovial tone rang a little loud.
“I think maybe the red or the blue?” Tegan answered without thought.
“Good choices, you will look beautiful no matter what you pick.”
“Thank you,” Tegan stood looking at him awkwardly. “It would be easier if I could wear fatigues.”
Salem tilted his head back and laughed. “Yes, my dear it probably could, but members of the Great Council will be there, and we best make sure you are presentable to them.”
“I have met them all before,” Tegan reminded him as she looked at the box in consternation. “Why can’t I fit them all in when they all came out?”
“Well that explains the rose petals,” Martha muttered. “Spelled. Come on. We’ll need to carry them.”
As they walked to the door, Tegan stopped and looked back at Salem. “Thank you for these.”
“Of course, they’re yours,” Salem swallowed, trying to keep back his emotion. “Whichever one you chose you’ll look radiant in.”
Smiling hesitantly, Tegan turned and followed Martha out of the door.
* * *
“It’s a bold choice,”Sloane said as he appraised her.
“Too bold?” Tegan asked as she held the dress up for his thoughts.
“No, just… bold.”
“What are you not saying?” Tegan asked him curiously as she looked at her choice.
“Why was Kai in the room?”
Tegan turned and looked at Sloane. “I thought we discussed this?”
“We did,” Sloane ran his hand over his short hair. “You said he came in and had talked to you for a few minutes before Cord arrived.”
“Yes,” Tegan waited.