The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 66

"You look stunning, Iris."

"You really think so?"

Iris spun in front of the mirror, admiring the dark green party dress. It wasn't as tight as the royal blue dress, since this one was the right size, but it was still tighter than anything she would have chosen for herself. Elera had an eye for fashion, though, and she had somehow found a dress with the perfect blend of modesty and sensuality. The high neckline in the front gave way to a sharp plunge in the back, with strips of fabric crisscrossing Iris' bare skin and wrapping around to merge with shirring over her stomach, and the skirt ended a couple of inches above her knee.

"Yes, I do, and I know Char will love it, too. I won't be surprised if his eyes pop out of his head when he sees you."

Iris clapped her hands over her blushing cheeks. "Don't say things like that!"

Elera laughed. "There is nothing wrong with looking good for your man, Iris. Now, let's see, what should we do with your hair?"

"My hair?" Iris ran her fingers through it, bringing a lock of chestnut brown in front of her face and frowning at it. "Why do we need to do anything with my hair?"

"You're probably right. No need to overdo it. Have you decided about the party yet?"

Iris arranged her hair over one shoulder and shook her head. "No. I... I don't know. It was fun last time, but..."

"But if it makes you uncomfortable, don't go."

"Anybody here?"

Iris jumped at the sound of Char's voice calling from the hallway. Elera laughed and patted her shoulder.

"I'll stall for you. Come out when you're ready."

Iris stared at herself in the mirror after Elera left, taking deep breaths and trying to steady her nerves. She remembered how Char had looked at her when he'd first seen her in that blue dress. Eyes wide, jaw hanging open—if the party hadn't been their cover for sneaking her out of the mountain, she would have turned tail and locked herself in his room. She wasn't used to that kind of attention. Men didn't look at her that way.

Of course, she'd experienced a lot of firsts with Char. She still couldn't say she was used to his compliments, but they didn't fluster her now as much as they had before.

The crystal pulsed in her chest. She fingered the fabric over it, feeling the hum of its magic.

Was it wrong of her to hide it from him?

Another deep breath. Tonight was not about magic. It was about going on another date with Char and having fun together.

She slipped on a pair of green pumps and walked into the hallway with as much confidence as she could muster.

Char and Elera's voices came to her from the living room. She followed the sounds to the end of the hallway, where they both stood in full view of her. Her eyes went to Elera first, who smiled and nodded at her, and then she looked at Char—and dropped her gaze to the pointed toes of her high heels, cheeks warming. The way his green eyes roamed across her made her uncomfortable.

"You look gorgeous, Iris. Ready to go?"

She peeked up at him, now standing in front of her and with his eyes safely on hers, and she nodded. "Yes, but... not to the party. Not yet, anyway. Maybe later?"

"That's no problem." He took her by the hand and backed toward the door, grinning. "It'll go all night, and I have somewhere I'd like to take you first."

He suddenly reminded her of a little boy bursting to show someone something. She couldn't help but catch his excitement.

"Have fun, you two," Elera told them. "And Iris, don't be afraid to tell him off if he gets too fresh with you."