h4Chapter 283: Valmora’s Sharp Warning/h4

    strongiMeredith./i/strong

    The next morning, I woke earlier than I expected. My body should have been heavy, aching from the way Draven had his way with me through the night.

    But instead, I felt strangely light, as though the weight of everything had been washed from me in his arms.

    Steam rose gently from the warm water tub as I sank deeper, letting the heat soak into my skin.

    Azul knelt at one side with her usual calm grace, pouringvender-scented oil into the water, while Kira hummed softly on the other side as she arranged clean towels within reach.

    My head tilted back against the smooth edge of the tub, and despite myself, I drifted into the memories ofst night, his touch, his strength, and the way I had somehow kept pace with his endless energy.

    The thought sent an involuntary warmth rushing to my cheeks. I wasn’t supposed to think of such things in the morning light, and yet, I couldn’t help it.

    "Mydy," Kira’s cheerful voice broke into my thoughts, lilting with amusement. "You seem very happy and excited about something."

    I blinked and lifted my gaze to find her smiling at me knowingly. Before I could answer, Azul gently shook her head and spoke in her softer, wiser tone.

    "It is too early to tease ourdy this morning," she said, her eyes lowering respectfully.

    Kira pouted yfully before pressing two fingers to her lips as though telling me she won’t do it again. "Forgive me, mydy."

    I couldn’t stop the small smile that curved my lips. I didn’t mind their teasing. It reminded me of warmth and sisterhood I hadn’t felt in years.

    But as long as they remembered where the line was, I would never mind.

    When the bath was done, Azul helped me rise, and warm towels enveloped me, pressing away the droplets that clung stubbornly to my skin.

    Soon enough, I was led into my dressing room. The morning light nted across polished wood and neat rows of gowns, each more borate than the next.

    Deidra was waiting for me, bright-eyed as always, holding up two options with an expectant look.

    "Which one shall it be today, mydy? The sapphire blue with the embroidery, or the ivory with the silver trimming?"

    I nced at both, then shook my head slowly. "Neither," I said, surprising them since for ages, it felt like gowns were my second skin. "I don’t feel like dressing that way today."

    Deidra’s eyes lit with excitement, as though she had been waiting for me to say those words. She leaned forward slightly.

    "Then, how would you like to dress today, mydy?"

    I let my gaze wander across the racks until my lips curved into a small smile. "I’m in the mood for something more Western—something we got from the human shopping mall."

    Deidra squealed before she could catch herself, pping her hands together. "Good choice, mydy!"

    With a little bounce in her step, she returned the two gowns carefully to their ce before rushing to another section of the room.

    I chuckled softly and turned toward the vanity. Deidra loved when I dressed more westernized. She loves change and has always subtly insisted that I dress differently instead of my usual Stormveil way.

    She had once mentioned to me that it was boring. And although she never meant any harm back then, she had oncepared my sense of dressing to Wanda’s.

    Deidra had always advised me to explore, and I think now, I’m starting to see the need for it. Boring is Boring. Change is interesting.

    I lowered myself onto the stool. The mirror reflected my bare arms and legs, still slightly damp from the bath, glowing faintly from the steam.

    Kira appeared at my side with a tub of body butter, opening it with a quiet flourish.

    The sweet scent of strawberries drifted up, and I dipped my fingers into the cream. Rubbing it between my palms, I smoothed it along my arms and down the length of my legs, enjoying the soft sheen it left behind.

    It was a small ritual, but one that made me feel beautiful, soft and grounded.

    Not long after, Deidra returned, holding her prize carefully over her arms—a pair of ck high-waist wide-leg trousers paired with a light pink silk blouse, the fabric glimmering faintly in the light. She held it out as though it were treasure.

    "Mydy," she said, her voice brimming with pride. "What do you think?"

    I turned from the mirror, Then I let my eyes linger on the ensemble, and then gave a firm nod of approval. "I like it."

    Deidra’s smile grew even brighter as she carefullyid the clothes out for me.

    ---

    The ck trousers fit snugly around my waist, the fabric soft but structured, a little different from the gowns I had grown ustomed to.

    Azul handed me the blouse next, and I slipped it on myself. The silk against my skin felt light and airy, like a secret indulgence.

    I returned to the vanity stool, smoothing the blouse down before turning toward the mirror.

    Kira had already taken her ce behind me,b in hand, her expression one of deep concentration. My silver hair spilled over my back like a river of light, and I felt the gentle tug as she carefully worked through it.

    From the corner, Deidra’s voice carried with its usual warm excitement. "Mydy, your hair is so much longer and shinier with each passing week."

    Through the mirror, I caught her expression, the genuine sparkle in her eyes as though my hair itself brought her joy.

    I smiled faintly, but my words were more practical. "It’s bing such a hassle to take care of it. Perhaps I should get a trim."

    The thought was hardly out of my mouth when Valmora’s familiar voice rang sharply inside my head.

    i"Don’t try it. You will send our efforts back."/i

    The words startled me, quick and sharp, so sudden that my chest gave a little jolt. Valmora rarely risked revealing herself to me so openly.

    I straightened in the seat, my heart suddenly aware of the unseen presence. But before I could dwell on it, Azul’s voice pulled me back to the moment.