Novel & Cerita Veil Over Eyes

she said, not an ounce of fear in her eyes. "You don't have to attack me like that. I will not take this insolence from you, we both want something from each other, both a means to an end so you will not talk to me like I'm some sort of dirty dog while you are the saint" I fired back at her. She looked at me for a long time. Her face softened with each passing second. Finally, she laughed and shook her head, removing the shawl that was wrapped around her. She was wearing a veil underneath, one that made me wonder why she had the shawl in the first place.

"There's no more time." The veil is heavy. It's even heavier than the dress. Or maybe it isn't heavy at all. Maybe I'm so tired that it's making them feel heavy. I can't see much through the veil. I see their faces but not much else. The embroidery on the veil won't let me. I feel claustrophobic. I'm breathing heavily. My face is suddenly very warm. I can't breathe or think in this thing.

With my free hand, I wrap the small, black, silky blindfold over her eyes. “Sin.” She arches her back.

She explained, “The k’tai is for focus.” “What do you mean?” He was still staring and nearly in shock. He was beginning to feel the need to hold her again. He held out his arms and she sat back down. He held her tightly. “I spend much of my time in deep prayer and meditation. The veil helps me to focus inward and push away the outer world. That is what Cuia meant for young girls and ladies to do. We must focus inwardly to understand the world around us and to find our true selves. If ever I take it off in front a young man, he will be the one I have chosen.”

“Veils? Minthe, our pack rituals do not use veils. That is a human custom from the old lands. Why would we—“ “Because veils have always been used for brides, haven’t they?” I cut him off, my voice steady, layered with a dark, deliberate precision. “In the human world, the veil hides the bride’s face until the very moment the vows are spoken. It keeps the identity hidden until it is too late to change anyone’s mind. I want it to be exactly the same for this ceremony.” I let go of his hands, stepping back as the full layout of my plan crystallizes in my mind.

She holds it up to the light, examining the coating with obvious satisfaction before setting it carefully into a labeled vial. She stands up, wipes her hands, and gazes at my wrecked body. “We are going to take this further, Iris. I need you completely undone.” After helping me sit up, she crosses to a cabinet and returns with a black silk blindfold and a small bottle of clear oil. “Stand up,” she orders softly. I do, my legs still shaky. Vivienne steps behind me and ties the blindfold over my eyes. The room goes dark. My other senses instantly sharpen. I can hear her breathing and smell her perfume mixed with my own arousal in the air.

Twists. Something unseen pressing outward from her in a wave that ripples through the space around us, reaching beyond the walls, beyond the clearing, beyond the sanctuary itself. Shielding. Masking. Redirecting. I feel it. Even without seeing it fully. The way the world outside shifts. The way the presence of the hunters— Flickers. Confuses. Misaligns. But— It costs her. I see it immediately. The way her body tenses. The way her breath catches.

Eyes. On me. I turned slightly. And there she was. Violet. Standing like she had been waiting. Of course she had. Her gaze moved over me slowly. Taking everything in. Not curious. Not surprised. Just… aware. “You went outside,” she said. Not a question. I crossed my arms lightly. “I have legs.” “That’s not what I meant.” “I know.” Her lips curved slightly. Not quite a smile. “You’re adjusting quickly.” “I’m adapting.” “That’s dangerous.”