back to Nadian. “Maybe I should do like a light pink? With a poof skirt?” I try to think about what would look good on me, but the problem is that I never had a real sense of style and having to develop one on my wedding day seems more than a little bit daunting. “Poof skirt says queen, right?”
“Of course you’d go amateur princess wannabe.” Cecile strides in, my doppelganger by her side.
I jump from my spot on the bed. “Cecile. Taylor. Welcome.”
“You didn’t invite us, but I heard you’re having style trouble.” Cecile’s upturned nose and haughty tone warm my heart. She’s back to her old self. Did I hate her old self? Well, yes, most of the time. But that’s neither here nor there.
She strides to Nadian who sizes her up with an arrogant stare of her own. “You’re showing her fabrics that are far too heavy for her frame.”
Nadian’s pointed ears twitch. “The winter realm favors thicker—”
Cecile waves a hand at her. “If you want her to look like a frumpy spinster, you’re on the right track. Otherwise, show me what you have in lace, tulle, and spidersilk. And don’t show me a thing unless it’s in Gladion gray or white.” She settles onto my bed, her back straight and her eyes alight.
Nadian looks at me questioningly.
I shrug. “You heard her.”
She turns on her heel, her simple black dress fanning out, and rummages through her wardrobe again.
I would thank Cecile, but I’m too fragile for the tongue-lashing she’d give me in response.
“Taylor?” I approach the other me.
She recoils a little, and I stop.
I hold my hands out, palms toward her. “I don’t blame you. I actually meant to come talk to you, but this whole mating ceremony thing sort of took me by surprise, and then Leander kept me busy all night and … Okay, just pretend I didn’t say that last part.”
She smiles a little, and I realize I’m kind of cute with my heart-shaped face and plump lips.
“No. No. No.” Cecile shoots down fabric after fabric with frightening efficiency.
I focus on the other Taylor. “But, anyway, I am so, so sorry for what I did to you.”
“Thank you.” She drops her chin a little, then meets my gaze. “I would be lying if I said I’m over it.”
My heart sinks.
Then she reaches out and takes my hand. “But I will be. I think it’ll just take some time.”
“Can you ever forgive me?” I hold my breath.
“I do if you forgive Cecile and me for sending you to Arin and landing you in the dungeon.”
“Done.” I squeeze her hand a little. “And to be honest, you sending me here is the best thing that could’ve happened to me.”
“You’re going to be a queen. That’s definitely an improvement on our dorm room.”
“You aren’t kidding.” I step closer, and she lets me embrace her. “I’m so glad that you’re here for my mating ceremony.”
“It’s the first one I’ve ever been invited to. Changelings generally don’t get to attend family events like this in the summer realm.” She starts to say something. Then stops.
“What is it?”
“It’s just something I’ve been wondering about for a long time. Could you tell me … about my mother and father?”
Cecile stands and inspects the fabrics more closely. “This white lace and this gray spidersilk. Yes. Taylor is a bit dumpy in the waist, so—”
“Hey!” The other Taylor and I both turn and glare at her.
She shrugs a thin shoulder. “I’m sorry, but it’s true. Don’t worry. You’re going to look like the perfect hourglass when I’m done.” She ignores us and begins outlining the silhouette she prefers.
I pull Taylor to the bed and we sit on the edge, our hands still clasped. “That’s a difficult topic.”
“Oh.” Her shoulders hunch a little. “I kind of suspected, I guess, when your mom—I mean, my mom—didn’t call you at all during the time I was living with Cecile at your college.”
“Yeah. Mom is …” I sigh and start off with our history. At first, it comes haltingly—the death of my father, the emotional distance, the neglect. And then it speeds up, the more painful parts pouring out of me as she listens to every word.
When I’m finally spent, the ugly truth laid out for both of us to see, she says quietly, “She let your stepfather hurt you.”
I hate hearing it, even if I know in my heart that it’s true. “She didn’t believe me. Steve was convincing, and she really wanted it to work