Page 87 of In Violent Waves

Lyra shifted in her chair. “I have six older sisters.”

“Blessed three! Such a big lot. Are you close?”

It was an effort for Lyra not to grimace. “Not really. They’re much older than me and all married and gone.”

Daisy frowned. “How terrible. I couldn’t imagine not having my sisters. They’re my best friends.”

Lyra flinched at a pin Daisy placed, and she froze.

“Oh! I’m so sorry! Let me fix that.” Daisy pulled the pin out and placed it back in her hair, but at a different angle. It was painless.

Lyra touched where the pin was and didn’t feel the sharp stabbing sensation she had felt every day of her life in Atlantis.

“It doesn’t hurt.”

Daisy chuckled and resumed working. “It’s not supposed to.”

Lyra’s mouth dropped open, and she sucked a sharp breath in through her teeth. Years and years of unnecessary pain. For what reason?

She wanted to rage, to scream to the gods. But what use would that do?

They had allowed this, after all.

Daisy turned Lyra so that she no longer could see her reflection as she dabbed something on her face.

“What is that?” Lyra asked when a cloud of it wafted up from her face.

“Makeup,” Daisy replied.

“What does it do?”

“It enhances.”

Lyra frowned and Daisy tutted. “Stop it, you’ll crease.”

Relaxing her face, Lyra closed her eyes and absorbed the gentleness in Daisy’s touch. It was nice to be touched without pain.

“There. Beautiful as ever,” Daisy said, spinning her back towards the mirror.

A princess stared back. It was still her. The emerald eyes and sharp cheekbones, but she looked softer somehow.

She pressed a hand to her cheek to make sure it was still her.

“Thank you,” she breathed.

Daisy smiled and patted her shoulder.

“Let me help you into the gown. There are ties at the back.”

Lyra rose from the vanity, untying her robe and letting it drop at her feet. Daisy held the gown open, and she stepped into it, feeling the buttery softness of the silk.

This one was as stunning as the last one. It was strapless, and the ties at the back cinched tight, showcasing her narrow waist. Patting the fabric around her waist, she breathed and found she could do so normally. Not at all restrained, as she had been in the navy gown in the mortal realm.

Daisy set a pair of embroidered slippers in front of her. They were the same shade of navy as the gown, but there were swirls of stars in gold and silver. The tiny heel raised her without making her unsteady. She felt as if they had been crafted for her.

“I don’t have any jewelry for you, I’m afraid,” Daisy mumbled.

Lyra turned the sapphire shell necklace that never left her throat.