CHAPTER 212
Aradria slowly turned her face back toward her sister. The cut on her cheek glistened dark against ivory skin. Without rush or fury, she lifted her veil, folding it up to her head, exposing the fine lines of her jaw, the heart-shaped lips, and the straight, narrow nose that was more pronounced like she was a stubborn beauty, her captivating almond turquoise eyes, and soft willow brows. She didn't even look past thirty years old.
She reached into the folds of her gown and pulled out a handkerchief. Deep purple. Smooth and immaculate, as if she had expected to bleed tonight.
Her eyes rose to Calixta—unshaken. Unmoved.
"Are you done?"
The words floated out soft as velvet, sharp as the edge underneath it. Then she pressed the handkerchief to her cheek, wiping away the thin smear of blood as if clearing dust from a mirror.
