Getting ready for the wedding

"Sit here, let me paint your face first."

Sylvia asked Aurora to sit before the mirror that too had been taken from one of her victims. It wasn't too big but large enough for one person to easily see their reflection in it. Ever since Sylvia had gotten her hands on it, it had become one of her most prized possessions as all the Sirens cherished that little piece of glass.

There were days when there was a queue outside her cave with Sirens waiting for their turn to see their faces in the mirror. However, as good as it was, It was starting to create conflict between Sirens about who looked more beautiful and who was better than the other so Queen Xobaria prohibited its use.

For Aurora it was allowed for today though as it was her wedding day. With a dull face, Aurora sat before the mirror and silently gazed at her reflection. Her eyes seemed to be holding tiresome of years for some reason and her face looked quite pale compared to the last time she saw her, which was many months ago.

However, something was peculiarly different about her this time that she didn't understand. She blinked several times and tilted her head as she frowned. Her eyes widened all of a sudden when she noticed her eyes. She bent forward to have a better view and it became clear, her eyes had turned darker than they originally were and that was the reason why she looked different.

"My eyes…" she mumbled, touching her cheeks.

Sylvia had settled beside her with all of her necessary tools and stuff that was needed. She didn't hear Aurora's whisper as she told her to lie back comfortably and started dabbing her face with her fingers. She tinted her cheeks and lips with the essence of red roses and then marked her eyelids with a thin black line using some sort of black powder that she wetted beforehand. Aurora had no idea what it was and what was the purpose of applying it above her eyes. Maybe it was for the intent of making her appear appealing or seductive? She had seen it being done to other Sirens before.

Kiara and Jelena were checking and admiring Aurora's dress while Sylvia braided her silver hair into the shape of a crown and left half of them loose behind. She then adorned her braids with pearls and gems of all sorts that she also stuck to the skin of her neck and chest. While she was doing all that Aurora thought that it might turn out to be a little excessive but as Sylvia got out of the way of her and the mirror, Aurora forgot to blink for a good amount of time.

She has never felt so pretty before. The pearls on her skin…they appeared like they were coming out of her and always belonged there. Her hair looked too good to touch and she was afraid to ruin them. Her face wasn't pale anymore but the subtle pink on her cheeks made her appear alive.

"Thank you so much, aunt Sylvia." She stood up and hugged her tightly.

"Careful girl, careful! You will splash water over my hours of hard work." She hugged her back but then pulled her away cautiously. "Let's get you in the dress now. Bring the dress girls," she called out for Kiara and Jelena who were attaching the remaining pearls to the gloves Aurora was supposed to wear.

They carried the dress to her and again Aurora was awe-truck. It was all made out of white flowers and cream pearls. She had no idea what Sylvia used under those flowers but the dress was holding its structure really well. She pulled out of the little top she was wearing but let the underwear on as she slipped into the dress, being extra careful all the while. Once she was in, Sylvia sewed the back of the dress, fitting it perfectly to her curvy figure.

"Ah, I can't breathe freely." Aurora whined, placing her hand on her stomach but then immediately taking it off, concerned to disintegrate her beautiful dress.

"Beauty is pain, sister. Have some patience until you successfully seduce your dear husband." Kiara chimed in.

"Yeah and then he will get rid of the dress for you." Jelena added and Aurora felt like her cheeks were precipitously rubbed against the plant of green chilies.

'My husband?' It felt so strange to even think about but suddenly mother Xobaria's voice rang in the back of her head.

'Careful, never to fall in the trap of love. You are on a mission, always remember that. And, you are not allowed to drag your heart in between any of this otherwise all of us will suffer the consequences, am I clear?'

She gulped and looked down, her heart not feeling any kind of exhilaration anymore. She couldn't think about him that way. She wouldn't. A veil had been thrown in front of her face and she was gratified for it as she was tired of giving that forged smile.

But only time knew what kind of things she was going to be thinking about him…

"You are ready!"