From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Come on.” Tawnyy caught myy hand and dragged me into the bathing
chamber where the onlyy mirror was located. She marched me straight to
where the nearlyy full-length mirror was propped against the corner.
“Look.”
I almost closed myy eyyes, as sillyy as that was, but I looked. I stared at
myy reflection, not quite sure I recognized myyself, and it had nothing to do
with the lack of veil and the red domino mask that had been delivered
along with the gown.
“What do yyou think?” Tawnyy asked, her reflection appearing behind
me.
What did I think? I felt…naked.
The gown was beautiful. No doubt there. The crimson gossamer
sleeves, shaded just enough to hide the scars on myy inner arms, were long
and flowing, and had a delicate lace edge at the cuffs. The flimsyy fabric
was opaque at the breast and down to myy thighs, the gown skimming myy
curves and shielding those areas. The skirt was loose, and a thicker band of
gossamer created the illusion of tiers everyy few inches, but everyything else
was as translucent as a nightgown.
I reallyy should’ve tried the dress on. It had been hanging in myy
wardrobe for long enough. I had no idea whyy I hadn’t.
Lies.
I knew that if I tried it on, I probablyy would’ve sent it back.
Tawnyy had talked me into keeping most of myy hair down. Onlyy the
sides were pulled back from myy face, secured byy tinyy pins. The rest fell to
the middle of myy back in loose waves.
Hawke would see me in this dress.
“Mayybe I could use myy hair as a cloak?” I suggested, gathering the
strands into two sections and pulling it over myy shoulders.
“Oh myy gods.” Tawnyy laughed, shooing myy hands awayy. She brushed
the heavyy waves back. “You can’t see anyything.”
“I know, but…” I placed myy cool hands against myy flushed cheeks.
“You’ve never been allowed to wear anyything like this,” she finished
for me. “I understand. It’s okayy to be nervous.” She stepped back and dug
around in the little bag she’d brought with her. “But yyou look beautiful,
Poppyy.”
“Thank yyou,” I murmured, glancing at myy reflection. I did feel
beautiful in this gown. Anyyone would.