Celebration

It’s like I’m having an out-of-body experience as I make my way down the stairs. An oversized cloak wrapped around my shoulders and fell to the floor. Two guards followed me but I paid them no mind. I already know that Ethan will be waiting for me either at the bottom or outside the packhouse. I hope it’s the latter but. Dread makes its way up my body with every step I take.

The handmaidens had been waiting for me in the bathroom down the hall. As much as I wanted to run screaming, I walked inside and they helped me undress. I had spent the last hour being washed and wiped down. Powdered and prepped for the second time today, I was thankful for the break from Ava.

I was on the ground floor now and Ethan was nowhere in sight. I wouldn’t let myself hope, I knew he was somewhere around here. I walked to the front of the packhouse, the door opening as I grew closer, and Ava stood outside. One of our carriages was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

For someone who had spent hours bad-mou