Chapter 29: Why It Takes So Long To Get Ready

"Let's get you in this dress, My Lady," Poe offered. As we turned to the gown, the raven cawed in the tree outside the window.

I looked at the simple gown, made of satin and the colour of the stormy sea. It looked simple enough to put on myself, so I sent my handmaiden to find matching shoes and cloak. I pulled the dress on, went to fasten it, and paused. I turned to look over my shoulder at the mirror.

When Poe returned, she found me fighting back tears, still standing where she had left me.

"My lady," she began, a frown creasing her brow.

I burst into sobs, "It's backless!"

I took a shuddering breath, "She gave me a backless dress to wear!"

I spun around, and Poe gasped and flinched. My red, raw scars were widely visible from my neck to my waist. Although my arms were covered, what I really wanted to hide was not. The noble elf maiden knew I had no other dress to wear. She knew I had scars on my back. To Poe and I, this situation screamed foul.