Chapter 49

Isabella

I’d just finished fastening the last tiny hook on the back of my dress when I caught sight of myself in the mirror again.

I froze.

I’d never worn something so expensive, and I’d never hated something so beautiful until now.

The dress clung to my body like a second skin. It was blood-red satin that shimmered under the bedroom light, falling off one shoulder and hugging every curve like it was tailor-made for me. The slit ran high, and its neckline dipped lower than anything I’d ever dared to wear.

It was stunning—I couldn’t even lie about that—but all it did was make me feel exposed. I looked beautiful, but deep down, I just knew I was nothing short of bait walking into the battlefield.

I felt helpless, but one look at my hair tumbling down and around my shoulders was all it took to change that. The effect of the change was small, but there