Page 43 of The Last Syphon

Yeah, it was worth it.

Inara opened up a closet door and squeaked. “Oh, my, Fates. Felix! Come look at this!”

Her best friend came running over. “Fuck me.”

The inside of the closet was bigger than the entirety of her previous home and was filled from top to bottom with a range of different clothing. On the left were tunics, robes, pants, and shirts. On the right were…dresses.

Inara made a beeline directly for them.

Elegant ball gowns with full skirts and shimmering fabrics. Shapely corset dresses in various designs and colours. Full-length silk garments. They were so stunning that all Inara could do was stop and stare. Her hand glided through the air around them, almost too scared to touch them and risk ruining them.

They were so fucking beautiful.

Felix went to the left, inspecting the other articles of clothing. He didn’t have the same inclination as her to hold back from touching them. He dived straight in, moving each item across the hanger to look at the one behind it. Eventually, Felix made his way from the left to the right side until he came to stand at her side. There was zero hesitation as he picked up one of the corset dresses.

“Inara, you would look amazing in this one,” he said, holding it up between them.

Her fingers itched to reach for it, but still, she hesitated.

“You can touch them.” Princess Phaedra’s ethereal voice echoed from the doorway. “They’re all yours.”

Inara spun to face her, her mouth dropping open. “Mine?”

“Yes. Everything one might need is provided to those in Areila. As a Chosen, however, your status is elevated, so you receive more high-value items, like these.” She walked in and danced her fingers across the hangers. Kronan was plastered to her back like a shadow. “These are magically induced garments. The lead seamstress for the palace is an Enchanter. Every garment here has been spellbound and will automatically adjust to fit the wearer, no matter the size.”

Enchanters were amazing, to say the least. They had the ability to weave their magic into any object they desired, imbuing it with their power. One of the traders who frequently came to the village was an Enchanter. He charged a hefty payment for his services. Despite how much she wished, Inara and Felix never had enough to hire him.

Inara grabbed the corset dress from Felix and held it to her body. A mirror hung on the back wall. She couldn’t help but twist this way and that way, trying to imagine what it would look like on her.

“You like dresses?” the princess asked with a smile.

“I love them. Never had an opportunity to wear them, though. Not in the Borderlands. They’re not exactly the best attire to fight in.”

“The ballgowns especially, I’d imagine.”

“Right.” Inara couldn’t wait to try on every single outfit. So far, all she had come across were pros to coming to Arelia. Why did Venerable Cias tell her this was a bad place?

Perhaps a little too good to be true?

“Where do I stay?” Felix asked.

Princess Phaedra cleared her throat, running a hand down the front of her robe. “Well, this wing is for Chosen only, so you will not be assigned a room. However, I can arrange for accommodations at the local lodge⁠—”

“No,” Inara cut in immediately. “No. He stays with me.”

“There is only one bed.” Her eyes flicked back and forth between her and Felix. “Unless, forgive me, I have misinterpreted your relationship.”

Inara rebutted again, but this time for an entirely different reason. “No, no, no. Fates no.” She shook her head. “No. Nononono⁠—”

“Really? Nine nos, Inara?” Felix drawled, unimpressed.

“You didn’t let me finish. No. No. No. No⁠—”

“Okay, okay.” The princess laughed. “My apologies.”

“We tried it once,” Felix added, crossing his arms over his chest, a smirk dancing on his lips. “But she can’t kiss worth a damn. Way too much tongue.”

“I’d rather use too much tongue than too much teeth.”