Free The Third Key (The Alaesha Legacy Book 1) by Samantha Warren Page B

emphatically. "I'm a very accomplished seamstress. My talents are praised throughout Alaesha. Come, come, let's get you lovely ladies dressed and ready."
    Less than fifteen minutes later, they were both stuffed into their respective gowns and had their hair done up. "There now, don't you both just look so beautiful?" Mags propped her hands on her rounded hips and smiled.
    Edith stepped in front of the full length mirror. She barely recognized herself. Her hair was done up in several small braids that twined intricately around her head. Little golden flowers were tucked into the strands. She gently stroked one. They seemed to glow of their own accord, though she knew that couldn't be possible. She ran a hand down her bodice, feeling the silky gold fabric. Small silver flowers were stitched into the waist and down the long lacy arms that ended in points at each wrist. Twirling around caused the skirt to lift and flow regally. It made her feel like a princess and brought tears to her eyes.
    The expression on Dana's face mimicked how Edith felt. "I feel so..." The cheerleader was at a loss for words and couldn't stop touching her own baby blue gown with lavender trim. Her eyes glowed, the first real smile Edith had seen stretching across the girl's face.
    Mags let the girls admire themselves for another minute or so before she clapped her hands together twice. "All right then, let's get going. Best not to make them wait."
    She shooed the ladies out the door and down the stairs. She took them in the opposite direction from the patio. The door she stopped in front of was carved with a series of pictures. Edith recognized a dragon, but the other beasts were unfamiliar. She didn't have time to study the carving though because the door opened wide into a large meeting room. Fourteen chairs were arranged around a circular table. The table itself looked like a slab from a huge tree. The design of the chairs varied. Some looked to be carved directly from a chunk of wood. Others were twigs teased and intertwined until they formed a suitable shape. A couple were simply stumps with part of the tree left in place to form a back.
    Charles was already seated, along with six others who took alternate spots around the table. He waved a hand at the seat to his right, smiling at Edith, his eyes glowing warmly. As the dress shifted around her, she felt like she floated across the room.
    Charles leaned over as she sat. "You look lovely, my dear."
    She blushed and returned his smile. "Thank you."
    He winked before turning his attention to Dana, who remained standing at the door, shifting uncomfortably. "We're not used to having former Keepers in this room. You may sit next to Edlaner." He pointed to a short man who very much resembled a hobbit from Middle Earth. The man grunted and raised a hand in the air.
    With a pinched face, Dana crossed the room and took her seat. From the look on her face, Edith guessed he probably hadn't washed anytime soon.
    "Can we get started now that the princesses have arrived, fashionably late?" Edlaner's gruff manner fit his appearance. He narrowed his already slitted eyes at Edith. They glowed with a strange orange light momentarily, but when she blinked, it was gone.
    "Yes, let's get started," Charles said. "First, I would like to introduce the new Keeper of the Third Key. This is Edith Myers."
    There were grumbles and a few waves from around the table as well as more than one glare directed at Dana.
    "She'll remain here until this all gets sorted. Now we need to decide what to do about the other missing keys." Charles's gaze settled on three individuals at various points around the table. Each in turn blushed, if they were capable and bowed his or her head. "Before we get started, Boxy, how are Elizabeth and Philip? Any sign of improvement?"
    A tall, willowy woman two seats to Edith's left shook her head in dismay, her long flaxen hair floating nearly horizontal with the movement. "No," she said. Her voice drifted