Frost (Frost and Nectar #1)(19)

My eyes flicked back to the scones. “It’s beautiful. Sorry, is anyone going to eat those?”

“It’s perfect,” Shalini added.

Madam Sioba’s gaze moved to Shalini, and her right eyebrow twitched up. “Who, exactly, are you?”

“I’m Shalini, Ava’s official counsel. I believe I’m supposed to get a dress as well.” She smiled hopefully and handed me one of the scones.

No one had said anything about a dress for her, but she couldn’t keep running around in her pajamas.

Madam Sioba grunted dismissively and yanked a piece of emerald taffeta off a table. Then her gaze returned to me, and she grimaced, clearly irritated. “Why aren’t you on my ottoman? For the fitting, I will need to see you properly.”

I hopped up on the velvet surface, and Madame Sioba glared at me. In my bare feet, nylon running shorts, and thin running shirt, I felt strangely naked.

She walked around, muttering to herself as she took my measurements. “Nice hips. That’s good.

Torin likes a bit of curves. Not that you really have a chance.” Her gaze had moved to my face, and I felt myself blush. “Good bone structure, pretty face. I suppose that’s why you’re here. Skin will do, apart from the eye bags. Then there’s the bloodshot eyes, and the hair’s an absolute fright—”

Given that she was pointing out all my flaws, I no longer cared about being polite, and I took a bite of the scone. It was buttery and delicious, but I only had two bites before she snatched it away from me and tossed it on the floor.

From behind us, Aeron muttered, “For gods’ sakes, Sioba.”

I’d nearly forgotten he was here.

“Madam Sioba?” Shalini said. “King Torin said the banquet starts in only twenty minutes—”

“Do you want Ms. Jones to look like a slatternly harlot?” Sioba shot back. “Is that what you want?

My work takes time. Designing, fitting, hemming.” She shrugged with an exaggerated sigh. “What I do is an art, and it cannot be rushed. Especially in tragic cases like this.”

Shalini pressed her lips together and glanced at the footman.

Madam Sioba walked around a few times before she stepped back to appraise me once more.

“Aeron,” she barked, “you will need to leave the room now.”

Aeron flashed me a devilish smile like he was about to say something flirtatious. But the smile faded as quickly as it had arrived—probably when he realized I could be his next queen, and he’d be wise to keep his mouth shut around me. With a shrug, he stepped out, closing the door behind him.

Shalini and I were left alone with the dressmaker.

Cocking her head, Madam Sioba flicked her wrist again. A flash of flames and heat engulfed me. I gasped, nearly falling off the stool.

“Stop thrashing about,” tutted Madam Sioba. “You’re fine.”

“Wow,” said Shalini. “That’s quite a party trick.”

I looked down to find my skin unmarked by fire. That was the good news. The bad news was that I was completely naked.

“What happened to my cell phone?” I asked.

“You’re standing here, naked as the day you were born,” said Sioba, “and that’s your concern?

Those contraptions are vile things. We never should have allowed them here.”

I supposed it was for the best because I wouldn’t be able to stare at it anymore, hoping that Andrew would text.

White puff sponges ran over my skin, making suds.

I was reasonably comfortable being naked around other women, but I’d only just met Sioba, and we hadn’t exactly bonded. I covered myself with my arms. Warm water ran over me, streaming down my hair and dripping down the floor. Sioba had created a shower for me, here in her workshop.

The warm water stopped, and I felt hot air blast over me, drying the water from my skin and hair.

When I opened my eyes again, my skin was dry—and the ottoman, too. My hair hung down in shining waves, and when I reached up, I felt a crown of flowers on my head.

Now I could taste lipstick on my lips, though I was still uncomfortably naked. Awkwardly, I covered my boobs.

“Stand still,” she hissed.

She muttered under her breath in a language I didn’t understand, and a cream-colored lace floated through the air as if blown by an unseen wind.

Madam Sioba directed the silk around me, and it slid around my breasts, hips, and ass. This felt…

awkward.

When I looked down, I realized she’d just used magic to create racy, transparent underwear for me. It was surprisingly comfortable.

But that was when Madam Sioba’s door cracked open, and she and Shalini spun to face the intruder.

“Hey!” said Shalini. “We’re not finished in here!”

I expected to see Aeron skulk out of the room. Instead, I found myself staring at the ice blue eyes of King Torin. He was gazing right at me.

“You can’t be in here right now,” Madam Sioba snapped.

The king had gone stock-still, and icy shadows gathered around him. I waited for him to apologize and back away, but he seemed strangely frozen in place.

“Do you mind?” I said.

He pulled his gaze away, his body rigid. “I was just coming to see if you were ready. What is the delay?”

Madam Sioba jumped in front of me. “I’ll be done with her in a minute, Your Highness. Please wait outside.”