Cress

Chapter 46

  Cress  studied  herself  in  the  full-length  dressing  room  mirror and  almost
began to cry.
            She had somehow someway, become a character in an opera.
             Her  skin  had  sloughed  off  the  last  of  the  sunburn, leaving  the tiniest 
       kiss  of sun on her complexion.
            Iko had cropped her hair so that  framed  her   face in  pretty,  golden 
        waver,  and though they'd had no makeup aboard   the  ship,  Iko   had also
       taught  her  to  pinch her heels and  nibble on her lips until they flushed a
     nice pinkish color.
            She was, against her better judgement, beginning to  warm  to  Iko.  At 
     least  she wasn't as bad as that Darla had been.
           And though Cress herself had been the one  to place  the rush   purchase
    at   the designer boutique, using  a hacked financial  account, she  hadn't
     entirely believed this was all happening before this moment.
            She was going to a royal wedding, in a gown of a raw silk  and  chiffon,
       dyed  deep royal blue to match her eyes (Iko's suggestion). The  bodice  was 
       snug  and  the  skirt so full she  wasn't entirely  sure  she  could  walk   without 
        tripping. The  shoes were   simple form-fitting flats. Though   she  and
       Iko  had  discussed  an   array   of  fancy heels at length Cinder had reminded
      them  that  Cress  may  have  to  run for her life at some point during the
     day's events, and practically had won out.

              "Bristol-mei, what do you think?" asked  the  attendant as  she  finished 
         with  the last button on Cress's back.
              "It's perfect. Thank you."
  The girl   preened.  "We  are  thrilled  that  you  chose  us  for  your  royal
         wedding debut. We could not be more  honored." She  scooped  Cress's  hair 
        away from   her ears. "Do you have your jewelry with you, to see how  it
       looks all put together?"
        Cress rugged   awkwardly at  her  earlobe. "Oh,  no,  that's  all  right. I—uh
       —have  to pick it up on the way. To the palace."
     Though  a  flicker  of confusion  crossed   the   girl's face she  merely bowed
          her head and shuffled out  of  the dressing   room. "Are  you ready for  your 
           husband  to see you?"
        Cress flinched.
       "I suppose."
               She  followed  the  attendant  out  of  the  dressing  room  and into  a  luxuriously
        furnished sitting area, where she spotted her new "husband."
        Wolf  was    scowling  at a  mirror  and  trying to pat  down  his   unkempt 
          hair. He wore an impeccably fitted tuxedo   with a classic white   bow tie
       and pressed lapels.
He caught Cress's eye in the  reflection,  and she  couldn't help  but  stand 
        a  little straighter, but  through  his  gaze skimmed  over  her,  he  had  no   reaction
       whatsoever.
   Deflated, Cress clasped her hands. "You look great ... sweetheart."
    He  did, in fact, look  like  a romance   hero, all  muscles and  edges  and
        chiseled bone structure. He also looked miserable.
               Suddenly nervous, Cress gave a little twirl, displaying   her full  regalia.
  Wolf only gave her a crisp nod. "The hover is waiting."
     She   let   her    hands drop   to  her sides, resigned   to   the    fact Wolf 
            would  dress for his role, but he would not play it. "Right. You have the
     invitations?"
     He patted his breast pocket. "Let's get this over with."