A Dark and Starless Night

Chapter Forty-Four

Eve stood before the mirror, twisting and turning as she beheld herself. Kia had outdone herself, and in only a handful of days.

The dress was stunning. As Ali had insisted, Eve's shoulders had been left bare, the off-shoulder thick straps hugging her upper arms. The bodice was a deep, dark blue – almost black – and it hugged her torso like a second skin. She had lost weight off her breasts, but the bodice shaped them and made them look bigger than they were. From her waist, the skirts fell in a light and airy fabric. But that rich blue faded the lower down the dress it went, until it was a pale blue. The wisps of fabric would have been see-through on their own, but, layered as they were to create her full skirt, they were perfect.

"You've done it again, Kia," Ali said, eyes bright from where she sat on the couch, a flute of summer wine in her hand.

Ali's own dress was a beautiful, lush red, not a dissimilar cut to Eve's. A silver-white mesh wrapped around the bodice and long, sheer sleeves of the dress that tapered to her middle finger on each hand where a ring held those sleeves in place. Her hair had already been curled and shaped, framing her face, which had been coated in a light layer of makeup. Her red lips curled into a smile as May expressed her agreement.

May's dress was a straight cut, leaving her body's shape all but hidden. It was white and decorated with silver gemstones and crystal beads. Her train was set aside, Kia having insisted she wait until they were all leaving before attaching it. Her black hair was sleek and tied back, straight as a pin where it rested along her back.

"Ioe will do your hair now," Kia said, ushering Eve to a chair.

Ali had surprised May and Eve by booking out the tailor's shop so that they could get ready and drink and have a good time. Her hair was carefully braided, leaving some strands down. Silver charms were threaded through the strands, making her hair sparkle. She looked beautiful. But...

"Eve," Ali said, standing and coming to squeeze her shoulders gently. "That's the thousandth time you've sighed. What's wrong?"

"It feels... wrong to be having fun when Don is still rotting in that jail."

Ali fidgeted with the sleeves of Eve's dress, covering and uncovering the scar that now resided there. Despite Tarlough's skills, the scar remained, marking her forever. She shrugged the shoulder, feeling uneasy.

"Do you want to cover this? We could use some make-up, if you like," Ali said, her voice gentle.

Eve ran her finger along the raised lines. They were no longer the angry red colour they'd been when Tarlough had first healed her, but now they were a faded golden colour, as if she'd had the scar for years.

"No," she said, exhaling slowly. "But I would love some summer wine." She forced a smile, trying to force down thoughts of Don and the star eater.

"I know this isn't easy," Ali said, pouring her a glass from the tray of drinks and chocolate-covered fruits. "But we're going to have fun tonight."

"I'm just glad I don't have to dance with anyone other than Fox," May said, sounding genuinely relieved.

"Dancing is supposed to be fun," Ali insisted, but Eve met her eyes.

They laughed, knowing that it wasn't as fun as they'd imagined it to be in their youths. To be swept of their feet by countless men. It was all they'd dreamed about. But now there was only one man Eve wanted to dance with. And while it wasn't frowned upon for same-sex couples to exist in Zyrna, dancing with a same-sex partner wasn't the done thing. So neither she nor Ali could dance with who they really wanted to, at least not all night.

"What did you get him?" Eve asked, fussing at her skirts.

"Mother insisted we buy him a new race horse," May said, sounding upset. "I wanted to commission an art piece for him, of the city, but she was adamant. As if he's not going to get a hundred horses tonight."