The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 20

"I really can't wear this," Char heard Iris protesting from the hallway.

He swallowed. He'd been steeling himself and schooling his expression while he and Rath washed the dishes, determined not to give Rath the satisfaction of a dramatic reaction to Iris in that dress, and this was it.

"Oh, hush. It's actually pretty sensible compared to what a lot of girls will be wearing."

Elera stepped into the kitchen, pulling Iris along by her arm, and despite Char's best efforts to prepare, his jaw dropped open.

The dress was tighter than he'd expected. Royal blue fabric hugged each curve and dip, concealing the amulet and not much else. Bare shoulders, bare arms, and the hem of the skirt ended mid-thigh, showing off more appealing curves in her bare legs, too.

If she hadn't looked so uncomfortable, he might have gone on staring much longer.

But she seemed unsteady on her blue pumps, and her embarrassed blush wasn't as cute to him when she was averting her eyes from everybody in the room, as if she'd done something wrong.

"I have to admit, you boys actually did a good job," Elera said, adjusting Iris' long, thick, chestnut brown hair to fall over one shoulder. "It couldn't have been easy finding a dress that hid the amulet, but I can't even tell it's there."

Char shut his mouth and walked toward them. "It wasn't. You look great, Iris."

Her brown eyes flicked up to him. "How long do I have to wear this?"

He gave his mother a kiss on the cheek and took Iris' hand. "A few hours, but don't worry. I'll stay with you. It'll be fine."

"We have to make this look like any other party," Rath added. "Blend in. Although I don't know how well that'll work, since you'll be the hot new girl on Char's arm—"

"Don't you have a dress to deliver?" Elera interrupted, shooting Rath a glare. Then her blue eyes returned to Iris and softened. "You'll be fine, Iris. Char will take care of you." She shifted her gaze to him, and her eyes sharpened again. "Or else."

"Yes, I will, I promise. Thanks, Mother."

He squeezed Iris' hand, and to his pleasant surprise, she squeezed it back. Her shy smile was an even better surprise, even if she was directing it at his mother.

"Thank you for everything, Elera."

His mother grabbed Iris and pulled her into a hug, giving Char a great view of Iris' bare back. He followed her fair skin down her spine to the hollow at the small of her back, and then the dress returned to hide the rest from view, and he cleared his throat and looked away.

Rath had a point.

"Take care of yourself, Iris." His mother released Iris and seized Char for another hug. "Come back as soon as you can."

"I will, Mother."

He took Iris' hand again and led her out into the street, intertwining his fingers with hers and shortening his stride as she adjusted to walking in high heels. Keeping his head tonight would be another problem. Nervous or not, she was still gorgeous, and the prospect of spending the night dancing with her had the back of his neck warming.

He cleared his throat again. "Sorry. I know it isn't what you're used to, but it was the best I could come up with."

Rath bounded up alongside them. "I'd like to say he's lying, but he isn't. Relax. After a drink, you'll really start enjoying yourself."

Iris' brown eyes flicked from Char to Rath and back again. "But the last time I had something to drink—"

"That was brandy," Char intervened. "If you want a drink, I'll make sure you get something lighter this time. And... it might actually be a good idea."