Veiled Betrayal

(Neva’s POV)

“Hold still, my lady.”

The voice was calm, but the hands weren’t. They moved quickly, tugging, smoothing, pinning…

One maid pulled at the waist of my gown until it pressed snug against my ribs. Another bent to arrange the long folds of the gown so they pooled at my feet. Someone powdered my face, while two others pinned and twisted my hair, sliding in crystal pins one after the other.