Bathwater rippled as I sprinkled dried lavender over it, peering through the rising steam to scry my own reflection. A girl peered back, her hair dark and twisted around her shoulders, cheeks flushed, eyes strange and distant. Silent, pretty, unquestioning. A perfect bride.

"Dammit." I sighed, splashing the water and grumbling as I slipped inside. I dipped my head back, sighing as my hair slicked to my neck and I took a precious moment of silence, listening to nothing but the water lap at the edges of the tub. The scent rose sweet and delicate, enveloping me in steam as I dragged my fingers through my hair. I pursed my lips, trying to relax, but of course that only made things worse.

I frowned, splashing at the water and growling. "I'm marrying a sodding toad."

"Dusty? Are you in yet?"

"Oui, maman." I relaxed at the sound of mum's voice, listening as the door opened and closes behind her, as she pulled a stool to my side and perched herself there, smiling. I forced a grin, swallowing guilt as her face fell.

"Oh, dear. It won't be so bad."

"I know." I sighed, turning from her and rubbing hot water down my arms in a vain attempt to keep properly warm. "We need a bigger tub. If my front's hot, my back's cold, and if my back's warm, my front's cold."

"Don't nitpick, dear." Mum had a slight smile in her voice. "I bet Gaston's family will have a nice bathing room."

"A swamp, I imagine." I muttered before I could stop myself.

"Dust - "

"I know, mum. Sorry."

"We just want what's best, cherie." Mum murmured, pouring something cold and coy into her hand and working it into my hair, surrounding me with sweet suds. "Anya is happy, after all."

I let a rush of breath, watching my reflection ripple as I whispered. "I'm not Anya."

Mum and her handmaid took over my bath, scrubbing me until my skin grew raw, then paled, dragging a comb through my unruly hair, murmuring about colours and matches as I sat in my chemise, fiddling with my hands and making no attempt to choose my own dress.

"The cinched waist, then. Come, dear." I bit back a groan as mum led me to the handmaid, the two working to lace a corset around my stomach. I sucked in a breath, releasing it in a curse that had the handmaid gasping and mum scolding. Delicate pink, puffed sleeves, my hair drawn back in a tight, coiled braid, my cheeks rouged and ink carefully spread along my lashes.

I stared in the mirror, trying to keep my hands still at my sides - fidgeting is unbecoming, cherie - and ignoring the bitter taste rising in my throat. Mum smiled softly.

"You look like one of my old dolls, dear. The porcelain ones? Lovely."

I do look like a doll. I frowned, wrinkling my nose as the girl in the mirror did the same. Fragile and empty-headed. I bit my lip, a nervous glance at mum keeping me from speaking my mind.

"Dusty, I have never seen you this quiet. It's an omen of a good marriage, I'm sure."

"Anya!" I gasped, racing - as much as I could in ridiculous, toe pinching shoes - to my sister's arms. She laughed aloud, eyes sparkling, her belly round and full and cheeks flushed from baby glow. Mum laughed aloud, embracing us both tight at once before running a hand down Anya's belly. I grinned, chittering like a sparrow as I hopped from foot to foot. "I didn't even think you were coming! I mean, with the baby? Is it safe to travel?"

"I'm not all that delicate." She smiled wryly, reaching to lay a kiss on my cheek before doing the same to mum. "Oh, I've missed you both."

"And you too, my dear." Mum tilted a hand under Anya's chin, a proud smile lighting her face. "Ahh, look at you both. A beautiful mother, and a beautiful bride. They grow up so fast."

I laughed, fumbling nervously with my hair and trying to keep my smile from going watery as hers. "Maman..."

"I know, dear. I won't say another thing." Mum shook her head, her smile growing wicked. "I fear Gaston will discover his secret proposal plans aren't quite so secret."

"He won't suspect a thing." I frowned, sighing and idly playing with the bow in Anya's hair. "His head is filled with swampwater."

"Dust..." Mum paused, looking to Anya with a glance I didn't quite understand.

"Well, I'll get back to the table. We're all waiting, ma souer cherie."

"We'll be out in a moment." Mum called out after her, waiting until the door closed before turning to me, gently laying her hands on my shoulders. She smiled bittersweetly. "Dusty, I know what Gaston is like."

I listened, silent, passive.

"He may be rich, but he's - well. A brain full of swampwater." She smiled. " He may be - "

"A brutish lout?" I had suggestions on my lips before she could speak, finding myself grinning. "A squat, bloated toad with all the charm and manners of an ogre?"

"Yes." Mum shook her head, chuckling. "But he is also in the right family, dear. The right names, the right status. I believe it was his father who decided for him." Her smile turned, eyes darkening. "If he can't have an intelligent son to inherit the family business and name, a daughter-in-law is the next best thing."

I pursed my lips, casting away my gaze. "You know what I think. I don't care about marrying for love."

"...I know."

"And if it will make you happy..." I trailed off, reaching for mum's hands. "Then I'll do it. I'm only seventeen, after all." I gave a crooked grin. "Plenty of time to find other suitors."

"My little minx of a daughter." Mum cackled, then went somber, clutching my hands tight. "It only makes me happy because it makes Davide happy. And I know he wants what he sees as best. Make the best of it, love." I watched, curious as mum reached into her sash, pulling away an ebony blade that made me catch my breath. "You're brilliant, quick and cunning. The Roste family will flourish because of you." She placed the blade in my gloved hand, pressing the gold-silver metal against my palm. "My letter-opener. Take it. May it bring you the fortune it brought me."

"Maman..." I breathed, turning the blade over in my hand - pure ebony, carved into a gold-veined weave. "It's beautiful."

"Like you." She smiled, pressing a hand to my back. I swallowed, gazing at the door. "Time for your proposal, sweet. Go on."

With a shallow breath, my heart thumping against the ribs of my corset, I nodded my head and moved through the hall, to the dining room, to sit beside the man with whom I would spend the rest of my life.