Bridging the Ancient ✓

Chapter 45

"How does this look?"

I spin slowly, stretching my arms out at my sides to fully display the gown. Renit, busy strapping weapons onto the many buckles of his armor, glances up and nods.

"That looks fine."

Slapping my hands against my sides in disappointment, I tug at the silk skirt framing my hips and try to get his attention once more. It's already back towards the many knives resting on the edge of the rickety bed. One after the other, he straps the sharp blades to the baldric across his chest and slides leather gloves over his exposed hands.

The rest of his armor is complicated, covered in straps and buckles from head to toe, even in the leather boots. He's already stocked there as well, the handles of two blades stick out from where they're strapped against the side. The buckles keep the billowing sleeves of his shirt tucked in tight against his arms and the same goes for his thighs, multi-purpose for weapons and for sliding in and out of spaces without getting caught on something and tearing.

His armor is mainly leather but to protect himself, the chest plate is metal. It was the finest set of armor he could find in Lona, along with the two gowns spread out on the bed behind him and the one I'm currently dawning.

With no mirror, I can't tell what I really look like. It's up to the prince—the one who has shown no interest—to decide if I look acceptable for one of the most important celebrations in Lona. The more esteemed residents are going to be there, the Lords, nobles, and whoever else have enough money to attend. Even some of the notorious killers that reside here will find themselves attending, underneath the good graces of the Lords themselves as keeping a strong relationship with the dangerous is wiser than not.

I tug on the skirt for emphasis and clear my throat. This gown is sleeveless and the skirt reaches my ankles in delicate blue silk. Renit straps a knife to the vambrace and glances up at me. "That color doesn't go with your hair," he mumbles.

Groaning, I sulk over to the side of the bed and stand over the other two gowns. One is silver and low cut, a deep dive between my breasts and the other is a simple lilac with lace over the bodice. Any of these gowns would work but if I want to draw the right attention to myself but also to the point I can slip Renit inside the residence without drawing any eyes...

"Just pick one," I plead. "Silver, blue, or lilac."

Renit comes across the bed to stand over my shoulder, examining the gowns in front of us. Next to the array of weapons he still has to strap to himself, the gowns appear delicate and intimate compared to what he is doing. Turning himself into a walking armory.

I don't want to ask why he needs so many. There are chances of something going wrong but if that does happen, it wouldn't be wise to kill our way out of it. Unless Renit is planning on using those weapons for something else, I don't know as I don't have the desire to.

"Silver," Renit decides, sticking out a gloved finger at the bejeweled abdomen and silk skirt. The sleeves are covered in small jewels, same as the abdomen, before branching out into moonlit fabric of the finest quality. "I had to punch a thief to keep that after it was purchased. Wear that one."

I snort. He came back with considerable options—after all that time of not caring about any other colors than black or grey. The right size, as well.

I change into the silver gown and frown at the low cut. This will have to do. I'll draw the wrong kind of attention but at least when I want to slip away, I'll be able to. The silk skirt is fitting, wrapping tightly around my hips but not revealing too much on the way down. Did Renit mean to pick something like this or did he merely grab it and continue on?