As Layla slipped out of her morning gown, Dara stood guard at the door. Her pale skin seemed to drink in the incoming sunlight, brightening everything around her. The warmth coated her body in a subtle glow that made her feel wrapped in the sun itself.
Opening her eyes before the mirror set only feet away, her gaze was drawn to the entangled pattern of constellation points---a birthmark that had been with her since birth. She craned her neck as she turned, running her fingers along the intricate design. It almost seemed to shift under her touch, pulsing as the morning rays fell upon it. She could feel a warmth in it that hadn't been there just days before, like something waking up---a beating heart that had sat dormant but now started pumping with life.
"Lay?" Dara's voice cut through her thoughts. "You alright?" She had noticed the visible questions lingering in Layla's expression.
Layla snapped back and began looking at the ceremonial dress that had been laid out for her. It too shimmered in the sunlight, patterns of purple and blue dancing like shadows across the floorboards as she ran her fingers across the seamless fabric.
"It's... elegant," Layla sighed, looking back at her wardrobe where tunics and fighting leathers hung inside its slightly open doors. "Do I really have to wear this... chandelier?" Her words seemed broken, her jaw tightening at the thought of entering the Nexus Sanctum looking like she could light up a whole town.
"That's the point," Dara said with a laugh, watching the dread creep up Layla's face. "Look, it's supposed to represent the kingdom's magic---a fragment of its power. Thresholds are usually bright and shiny just like you." She moved across the room and pinched Layla's cheek.
"Asshole," Layla breathed, picking the dress off the bed and slipping her feet into it, the rest of her body falling in line.
"You'll be fine," Dara said, shifting to zip the back up slightly, the tightness surrounding Layla as she took a deep breath.
A knock came at the door before Layla could respond. As Dara opened it, two women entered carrying brushes, ribbons, and small metal rings.
"Your entourage is here," Dara announced, waving the two inside. Layla huffed again.
Layla stared at the women, like twin pillars of sea and salt---beautiful, flawless, and unforgiving. Layla and Dara had known them in their wild teenage years, and Selene had never let Layla forget it. Even as queen, Selene sneered at Layla, making sly comments in the nicest of ways. Adelyn, on the other hand, seemed to have let go of the prank that her sister clearly never would.
"Your Majesty," Adelyn said, bowing deeply, a smile curling at the edges of her lips. Selene just gave her a head nod, her mouth a thin line as she moved closer to Layla.
"Please sit," Adelyn said, patting the vanity chair, still holding onto that smile. Dara chuckled, pulling a small piece of meat from her pouch. Layla shot her a glare before Selene, who hadn't even offered a smile, turned her attention back to the mirror. She didn't care enough about Selene to really give a shit if she was still mad, even all these years later.
"We're going to pull this up to showcase your neckline and braid your bangs," Adelyn explained. "We'll keep it secure so it won't fall during the ride to the sanctum."
As they worked, Layla stared at her reflection, watching her hair transform from a frizzled morning mess to immaculate curls and braids lined with emerald ribbon and gold cuffs around each plait, keeping Selene in her vision at all times. When they finished, she sat still, expecting the elaborate arrangement to tumble down, but it seemed to hold perfectly as she stood.
"All finished, Your Majesty," Adelyn said, offering another small bow. Selene simply stared, her face like stone.
"You will be the belle of the ball," Adelyn continued.
"More like the whore," Selene whispered. Adelyn shot her a look that made her go white, her normally kind eyes blazing at her sister.
"We're done here," Adelyn said sharply, grabbing Selene's arm and pulling her toward the door. Selene stumbled slightly but followed, her face still defiant as they gathered their supplies and left without another word.
"Well, don't you look..." Dara paused, closing the door as Selene looked back, "nice."
"Wow, that was awkward. Think she still hates us?" She laughed, leaning against the heavy door.
"Think she still hates me, you mean?" Layla corrected her. "She didn't look at you like she wanted to stab something through your eye."
"I mean... you did portal her inside the throne room with the whole court there." Dara laughed a bit, trying to contain her smile.
"I'm not the one who thought it was a good idea to lure her to that barn and cover her in pig shit, Dara!" Layla said, trying so hard to keep it together. She knew she shouldn't laugh, she knew it was a horrible thing to do, but she was young and wild.
"Hey, in all fairness she asked for it. It's not my fault she started that rumor that you were really a changeling and your real mother was a river ogre from the north," Dara said, finally leaving her place by the door.
"Maybe she did deserve it," Layla said, her smile fading as she thought about it.
"Don't worry about it, Lay," Dara said, sensing the thoughts lingering of what they had done all those years ago. Layla had had a crush on Lockin Archer for as long as she could remember, but so did Selene. When Lockin wanted her instead of Selene, she couldn't take it, so she started the rumor that followed Layla around for weeks until they had lured her into that barn with the promise Lockin wanted to meet up with her. And that was that---a bucket of pig shit and one portal later, and she had never spoken to Layla, Lockin, or Dara again.
"I look like a decoration that should be hanging over a dinner party," Layla blurted out, trying to change the subject as she picked at the tight arrangement behind her head. "Just add a few candles and I could illuminate a ballroom." Her face went rigid as she looked back in the mirror. This wasn't her. This wasn't what she was supposed to become so soon. Layla had never liked dressing up or performing as a public display for others to admire, but here she was, standing in a glittering creation that would set her apart from anyone else in her kingdom.
"Well, at least I'll be able to find you in the dark," Dara said with a small laugh. Then, setting aside the humor, she tried to comfort her friend. "Seriously though, you look beautiful, Lay. Your parents would be proud."
"Thanks, Dara," Layla replied, trying to find her courage in these last fleeting moments of solitude. In the coming days, she knew being alone would be impossible with everyone's eyes on her.
"Ready?" Dara asked, moving to the door and waiting for Layla's response before leading her to the caravan below.
Layla closed her eyes and took a deep breath, clenching her fists for a few moments before giving Dara the signal to proceed.