Gwen tightened the last pin in Aurelia's hair, stepping back with a soft exhale. "All right," she said, brushing an invisible wrinkle from Aurelia's sleeve, "now we begin."
"My lady… are you sure you want the necklace?" Gwen asked softly as she tightened the last ribbon on the ceremonial gown.
"Yes," Aurelia murmured, drawing a slow breath. "If I'm going to stand before them, I want to stand with everything that belongs to me."
Gwen stepped back. "All right. The bath is ready."
Aurelia moved behind the privacy screen and slipped into the warm water. Steam curled around her as she washed away the night's lingering emotions, letting Gwen pour warm lavender-scented water over her shoulders. The heat soothed the ache in her muscles from the previous night's fight, washing away the dried blood, ....Cynthia's venomous words, the quiet fire she had found within herself, the fear she had pushed back down where it belonged.
