Chapter 27 : The Ceremony: Part One

Poppy’s POV

“You look like a vision, my little poppy flower,” my father said as my handmaidens let him into the bridal suite. My handmaidens were hard at work placing all the various pieces of my ceremonial dress. White silk layered with layers and layers of golden tuille.

Gray and midnight blue accents were woven and embroidered through the bodice that fitted perfectly around my waist—a marriage of Aldermor colors with Myrkr accents. I imagined Erik’s silks looked the opposite.

A bolero buttoned around my neck, flaring in a hard line with thin golden armor over my shoulders. The same golden tuille of my skirt cascaded down my shoulders like a golden waterfall, elongating my form. I could easily hide my arms under it, but they weren’t sleeves either and I could bring my hands past the fabric, looking at my forearm which would be fitted with a marital armband.

I twisted my fingers together in front of my belly, my heart hammering with nerves.