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Chapter 42
Bethany and I inspect the remnants of our train..
“Is there anything we can do?” I ask. I’ve been around a sewing machine, but it’s hardly my area of expertise. There isn’t exactly time for it anyway. I’m supposed to be in the entryway in ten minutes.
Bethany stares hard at the lace, then at my dress. “Turn around,” she says. “Uh, please. Mistress.”
“Harper,” I remind her and turn as she directed. She gently brushes my hair off to one side. Reaching up, I assist, holding my hair in a loose bunch to the side.
“Hold this please, Harper,” she says, passing me the lace. “Just for a moment.”
Peeking over my shoulder, I watch as she removes a small sewing kit form her pocket. From the kit she pulls a needle and thread.
“I’d like to try something.” she says. “It won’t look exactly how it was, but it should hide the tear the train made in the rest of the dress.”
“Go ahead,” say, when I realize she’s waiting for my permission. She holds her hand out for the lacy fabric, which I return Then, without warning, she rips it more, straight down the middle. “Bethany!”
“Trust me!” she says. At once, she sets to work. With a few loose stitches she attaches one end of the fabric to the back of my dress, then trails it around to the base of my sleeve, where she attaches the other end to the cuff. She does the same og the other end.
I can’t quite tell what it looks like without a mirror but from what I can tell, she’s turned my long train into much shorter.. wings.
If only they were real wings that I could use to fly away.
Yet even as they are, they’re beautiful.
“Do you like it?” Bethany asks. She nervously worries her bottom lip.
“Like it? I love it. Bethany, you are a fashion genius. We will talk about this more when I get back!”
I’m already late. There’s no time to talk now. She seems to understand.
“Hurry,” she tells me, even as a big smile breaks out on her face. How rare are compliments for this girl? “Go on. Impress them all, Harper.”
“I intend to!” I say. “And thanks to you, I think I can!”
With that, I take off in a run, desperate to catch up with the rest of the harem.
I find them in a single file line at the entrance to the hall, slowly being introduced one by one. As Madeline is at the end of the line, I can assume that the order is important somehow, to show the hierarchy
Madeline turns to see me just as she’s about to step through the entryway.
In a
flash, rage twists her features. She glares at me in open hate
Madeline, of the King’s Harem,” announces the crier from within the Hall.
Madeline has no choice but to move forward, or she risks embarrassing the King. Everyone in the harem knows, to embarrass the king means death.
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09:53 Tue, Nov 19 BBB ·
Chapter 42
Madeline removes all trace of emotion from her face as she faces the Hall and walks past the door.
One of the slaves waiting there, turns to me. “Are you Harper! The new woman?”
“Yes,” I say.
The slave signals to the crier.
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“Prepare yourself, the slave says as he gestures me to step forward. “Everyone in this room is going to try to eat you alive.”
I don’t know what he means by that, but it sounds like a threat.
“Introducing, the newest addition to the King’s Harem. Harper.
room
Having no other choice, I lift my head. faking bravery and indifference, and step into the Hall.
I’ve been inside the Hall many, many times, observing Caleb or giving him massages. Yet even so, it’s near unrecognizable now. Fabrics billow down from the ceiling, creating the illusion of winds. Tables and chairs are aligned around the outside wall. Each table is decorated with an abundance of gold and sparkling gemstones.
Yet even the overabundance of the décor is nothing compared to the overwhelming wealth on display of the evening’s guests. Elaborate diamond crusted gowns and shoes and canes. Golden hair pins and tie clips Suits shining and well- tailored. Dresses that could have come in off a runway, unlike any I have ever seen before.
The way the guests carry themselves, too, speaks of decadence and opulence.
Even the King is dressed in a fine black tunic and slacks, with diamonds stitched around the collar and cuffs. Silver threads weave through the expensive–looking shining fabrics giving it a faux metallic appearance,
Compared to the opulence around him, the King, though also clearly dressed in finery, seems the most fashionable. The rest are downright gaudy in comparison.
Sitting up on his throne, he stares at me, but makes no move to speak to me.
I haven’t been told, but I assume I am to make my way now to him. As I do, I’m immediately stopped by another guest.
That guest- a man with a green tie and emerald tie clip – grasps my hand rather forcefully. I had not offered it, but that doesn’t seem to be a necessity around here, I’m learning quickly
Foolish, I think to myself without even meaning to. I am property of the King.
The man doesn’t seem to care about that. He dips his head low and presses a kiss to the back of my hand.
When he stands again, I gasp. The King is behind him. I didn’t even see him move,
“Did someone tell you that you could touch that which doesn’t belong to you?” Caleb asks, his voice low and deadly
The man in the green tie pales, immediately drops my hand, and turns toward the King.
“King Caleb, 1-
“Save your excuses,” Caleb snaps. “You are a younger Alpha, are you not? In line to take over for your pack?”
The man bows. “Yes, sir
Touch her again, and see what happens,” Caleb says. It’s no idle threat, and with the way everyone moves swiftly away from that man in the green tie, the entire room knows it
“My apologies, my King.” The man bows again.
09:53 Tue, Nov 19 BBG.
Chapter 42
Caleb reaches out in a flash and snatches my hand that the man had kissed. With a low growl, he tugs me to follow him. dragging me all the way back toward his throne.
Others look at me. They whisper. A few, I see ogling my body in this dress.
Despite the King’s threats, they are bold.
Though perhaps they have comfort from the fact that they are not touching. The King never said they couldn’t look.
Caleb hops up onto the stage presenting his throne, then pulls me up after him. His eyes are wild as he looks around the room, snarling and glaring at all those who looked at me on the way here.
Then he
e turns to look at me.
And his gaze drops to my mouth.
That’s the only warning I receive, before his hands slip around my waist and he yanks me against his hard body. His mouth crashes down over mine, licking and claiming in a deep, messy kiss.
He wants them to see this
He wants them to know I’m his
All I can do is hold on.
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