feeling a little bit jealous. You are being stupid, Mara. You are going to marry
Cole. Kai isn't interested in you. He is just a big flirt. Stop thinking about him.
I brushed past Kai and linked arms with Bay. “I need help getting cleaned up
if I'm staying for the celebration. I'm a mess.”
"Bye Kai," Bay called as she pushed me into the tree and into the other realm.
The Water elementals were playing and splashing, just like the last time I saw them. Bay clapped her hands together to get their attention. The elementals
stopped what they were doing and looked towards her.
“Everyone, we need to prepare Mara for tonight's celebration. All hands on
deck.” Bay leaned close to me. “I learned that command from a band of pirates.”
Before I knew it, I was being tugged and pulled on. I didn't have time to feel
embarrassed or shy as they removed my clothing. Soon, I was covered with
bubbles and water. My hair was washed and conditioned, emitting a fragrant
citrus and berry scent that invigorated me. For the first time, I was excited for the events to come.
After I was dried off and dressed, round two of Make Mara Presentable
began. My thick hair was brushed and yanked. Finally, I was poked and prodded
as makeup was being applied to my face and arms.
“Close your eyes.” Bay rubbed a soft brush on, and around, my eyes. After a
few minutes, she handed me a silver hand mirror. “Ok, you can open them now.
What do you think?”
I stared into my hazel eyes. They were a deep brown surrounded by purple
eyelashes and silver eyeshadow. The eyeliner was a combination of the two
colors and ended on the outside of my eyes in the soft design of the infinity symbol.
“Wait!” Bay took the mirror from me. “I forgot the final touches. Pout out your lips for me – like this.” Bay contorted her lips and made a silly fish face in
demonstration.
I giggled at the absurdity. Then, I imitated her with my best guppy
impersonation. I knew I must have looked just as silly because Bay’s chuckles
joined mine. Once we were able to control our laughter, she delicately painted my lips. When she finished, she led me to a full-length mirror.
I was shocked by the reflection staring back at me. It looked like my face, but I had never thought of myself as beautiful before. I was dressed in a lavender
halter dress that fell to my ankles. It had starlike flowers throughout the chiffon
material. My feet were bare, but my toenails had been painted an eggplant purple
to match my fingernails. My nails looked longer and healthier than they had been when I exited the flooding water earlier. Returning to inspect my face again, I took in the way the glamorous makeup made me look, and I smiled as
my dark red lips pouted.
"The final touch." Bay placed a crown of star-shaped flowers on top of my
head.
For the first time, I saw my hair. They had tamed my wavy locks, making
them smooth and shiny. I felt like a princess from the silly stories of my childhood.
“You look amazing,” a deep sultry voice behind me said. Chills ran through
my body. “I have a present for you.”
I turned to face my greatest temptation. I couldn't help but beam as I saw him. Kai was dressed in a fitted, charcoal gray suit with a white shirt and a deep
