"No, not like that," Yaru said, his exasperation evident. I almost growled as I lowered my arms. Before me was a tea service. I was meant to be able to pour it in a very specific way, but no matter how many times Mhairi showed me how to do it, I always seemed to get it wrong.

"Perhaps a break would be a good idea," Edward said, lounging on a nearby sofa, his crystal in his hands. Internally I thanked him. I'd had enough and so had Yaru. There were just one too many things to learn for this ceremony and not enough time to learn them all.

Yaru nodded, got up, and walked out of the room without another glance. Immediately Edward put his tablet down, patted the seat beside him and held out an arm to wave me closer. The invitation was more than welcome, and within seconds I was half-sat beside him and half-cuddled in his arms. I exhaled, feeling some of the stress of the day disappear instantly. For four days we'd been working on getting me ready for my ceremony. It would take place tomorrow.

All six of the companions I needed were coming, and I'd made sure to see all of them every other day, even if only briefly, since I'd had their official acceptance letters, which gave me a break from my training, but equally added more to my load.

"Are you nervous?" Edward asked. I nodded. "It's a lot to take in."

"I'm not even sure what worries me most," I replied. "I worry about one thing, then Yaru brings something else up, or I'm reminded of another part, and then I think that's the worst thing to remember or do."

Edward let out a chuckle, but his hand stroked my arm lazily, to show it wasn't mean-spirited.

"I don't think I can decide which of the painting styles to wear either. What do you think?" I looked up at him, noticing he was staring at me.

"I think that you look hot enough to fuck in any of them. You're a walking piece of art with your breasts out. They get to screw you for the first time. You don't need to worry about how attractive you're going to appear. Trust me. You're hot even when you've not got your tits out."

Raising my eyebrows, I studied his features as he spoke. It was obvious he was turned on, but he'd been particularly undemanding since we'd deliberately fooled around in the coat room.

"Sounds like someone is a little... frustrated that they're not getting their share of the goods." As I spoke I ran my hand down his chest and the t-shirt that covered it, slowly adding some pressure. Just thinking about his erection and having his hands roam me in a similar way made heat blossom and my breathing speed increase. It had been a while since I'd orgasmed too. I was hungry for something that satisfied us both.

"Oh, more than a little, princess, but us guards don't get to play this close to an unveiling. Or for a few days after. You're going to need your stamina."

A pout formed on my face before I could stop it. I was more than a little turned on, and here he was saying no.

"That's very restrained of you," I said, wanting to see how likely he was to give in to temptation.

"What the boss says, goes. And he's said, no screwing the courtesans too close to an unveiling. Don't get me wrong, gorgeous. I want to, but I don't want to get fired either."

"We don't have to screw as such." I grinned, continuing the motion with my hands until I could feel how turned on he was. All further objections left his mouth with the next exhale. A man could only resist something like this for so long.

I slid my fingers around his shaft, finding it hard and standing to attention as I pressed my lips against his. In truth, I was overwhelmed and nervous about the following day. I wanted a distraction.

He moaned against me as I increased the pressure, rubbing back and forth. Listening to his breathing speed up and feeling his body shudder only added to my own desire. Hot and more than a little ready, I reached for his hand, bringing it towards my sex. He tensed, breaking our kiss and keeping his arm from coming any closer.

"I mean it, princess. I can't go there. Boss would lose his shit."

"I won't tell if you don't," I whispered, not wanting to give up, but he shook his head again and tried to pull away. "All right. I'll behave."

He relaxed again, his hand coming up to stroke my face.

"I'm sorry, but you'll thank me for it by the end of tomorrow."

His words sent a chill down my spine. Would it be that bad? I didn't know, but I wasn't going to let him or anyone else see my fear. Giving him a smug grin, I resumed my attentions to his erection, stroking it as I kissed his neck and chest.

"Just a little last minute practice, then," I said as he groaned.

"Oh, you can have all of that kind of practice you want, princess." He tilted his head back, more than a little enjoyment on his face.

It didn't take long for him to come close to his peak, but I slowed, easing up just enough to deny him an orgasm just yet. Before I resumed again I slid myself across his lap, bringing my body closer. He lifted his hands and slid them under my top, pulling it up as he reached for my breasts.

I exhaled, feeling my body tighten in response, wanting to tell him not to touch when it would only frustrate me further, but he was right. This was good practice. He gently rolled my nipples between thumb and fingers, tightening them into nubs he could pinch and squeeze.

Shuddering and letting out more than a few moans of my own, I gave his manhood my attention again, bringing him back to the end. This time when I tried to slow it down and keep him caught between his release and my continued attentions, he grabbed my ass and pulled me up against him. A few flicks of his hips later he tipped over the edge, letting out a deep moan as he spurted cum up and onto my breasts.

"That was perfect," he said a moment later. I wasn't sure how to react. I'd given him what he wanted instead of getting what I needed.

As I cleaned myself up and straightened my clothes I tried not to show my annoyance. It wasn't entirely his fault. He'd tried to refuse the whole thing.

"Here, princess. I've seen this tea thing done a thousand times. Let me show you what I know. Maybe it will help."

I smiled, grateful as he came to the table. Somehow his words and his actions made sense of everything I'd been trying to do before and within a minute I was copying him.

"Perfect," Yaru said, appearing back as I finished pouring Edward a cup of tea.

Without waiting for him to request his own, I poured a second, using the exact same method, and handed it to him. Taking it, he let out a small sigh and gave me a rare genuine smile.

"You have come a long way, my dear, and are flourishing in many ways. You're evidently very capable of pleasing a man, and now you're ready for your unveiling."

I raised my eyebrows at his remarks. It earned me a chuckle.

"Yes, I know what the pair of you were just doing. Why do you think I took a break as long as I did? I've come back to one very satisfied bodyguard and I definitely wasn't welcome much sooner. That tells me two things. You know how to make it last, and you know how to make it good."

I felt my cheeks flush, but Edward lifted his tea to Yaru.

"To the newest courtesan in Daniel's court," Edward said, "and the most expensive unveiling any of us have ever seen!"

"Let's not try and eat our cake before it's baked. Auralia hasn't put on her show yet. There's still more than one element that could go wrong. It's an interesting mix of companions. And a resurrected with an unknown budget... breaking a record is still unlikely, as much as it would be beneficial."

I tried not to frown but failed. A big part of me wanted that record. After everything I'd gone through and put up with, I wanted to show I had what it took. That I could earn my way without problem.

Before I could be dismissed or Yaru could move on to another part of the ceremony, Kevin appeared. With him was a man I didn't recognise. Everyone turned, surprised.

"Keaton sends his regards and a small gift in honour of tomorrow," the man said, coming forward unintroduced. As he did, I noticed the case he was carrying. It was familiar, very familiar. Both sets of body paint I already owned had come inside similar, although slightly smaller cases.

The rest of the room was almost deathly silent, Yaru's mouth hanging open as the visitor confirmed my educated guess and opened up the case. Inside were refills of the main colours, every single one.

"A small gift?" I asked, reaching out for the envelope I noticed nestled among them. "This isn't a small gift."

The man chuckled, closing the box.

"No. It's not, but we're friends. I also included my newest applicator and a spray that should make it chip a little less."

"Thank you, Harry," Yaru said, entirely back to his smooth-talking self. "Your invention is superb, and I'm sure Auralia here is honoured that you decided to bring this over personally. I'm sure you could have sent Simon or anyone, really."

"More than honoured," I added, picking up on Yaru's hints. This was someone incredibly important. "I am very pleased to meet you. And very grateful for your paint." I got to my feet and bowed as I would to the Japanese men in Kioshi's offices.

Immediately he bowed back, a grin flitting across his face.

"I've heard lots about the designs you and Mhairi have created. I must confess, I'd hoped to see you wearing one."

"Ah... Today is a rest day for me, and I have had a little problem with chipping, as you must already be aware. You're welcome to see the designs on the storage wraps, however."

"Thank you. That's a kind offer, but perhaps another time instead. I have business to get back to, and it's never quite the same to see them stored as it is to see them being worn."

With that he bowed again and hurried away, Kevin going with him. I exhaled, not realising I'd been tense enough to hold my breath.

"What was that you were saying, Yaru, about not eating cake before it's baked?" Edward asked as he swaggered up beside me. "I think this one may be cooked pretty well already."

"It does appear that way," Yaru conceded, closing the box of paints and holding it out to me. "Once again, I find myself in awe of all you've achieved, my dear. I recommend you rest now. I'll return tomorrow to help you get ready for the ceremony."

More questions filled my mind, but I couldn't seem to voice any of them. I didn't feel ready even if Yaru thought I was.

Edward escorted me back to my room, reiterating Yaru's advice to rest, but as I strolled inside I wasn't sure I'd be able to. Possible outcomes and situations for the following day played through my head, some positive, but most not.

When Mhairi appeared a few minutes later, relief flooded through me. Her eyes were drawn to the new paint first.

"Gosh, he must really like you," she said once I'd explained where and how I'd got them.

"As long as he has plenty left for tomorrow, right?" I replied.

"If it was anyone else I'd be worried, but Keaton is one of the richest men in the city. He'll have plenty to spend tomorrow." Mhairi took the box from me and stashed it beside the others.

I sighed and started getting ready for bed. Although I wasn't sure I was going to be able to sleep, I was more than ready to try.

"Do you want me to go back to my own room tonight? Give you some space?" she asked as I climbed into bed. Immediately, I shook my head.

"We agreed to face all our fears together, right?" I said. She smiled and got in beside me.

Neither of us needed to say any more as I reached for her hand. She rubbed my skin with her thumb, stroking it back and forth as we lay side by side. My thoughts wandered, thinking about how quickly she'd become a friend and how much she already meant to me.

"Thank you, for everything you've done the last few weeks," I whispered. "If I'd been able to choose my second, I would still have chosen you."

"Just make sure you go through with everything tomorrow. As much as you've managed to charm some very wealthy men, I don't think I can go through another unveiling."

"What do you mean?" I asked, already starting to work it out as I turned to face her.

"Just another privilege of being a second. If you get cold feet, I'm offered up in compensation."

I sighed. No part of me had planned to back out, but it was yet another way this world was screwed up. While I'd chosen all these men and invited them, she hadn't. For me this was meant to be something important and special. For her it would be as close to rape as made little difference.

"Don't worry. I'll go through with it. I wouldn't put you through it again either. But you'll be there, right?"

She squeezed my hand as our eyes met again. "Of course. As much as I can be... Brave. Together."

Neither of us looked away, the light only just enough for us to see the outline of each other. Without thinking, I shifted closer, my eyes drawn to her lips, my heart pounding fast the closer I got.

I hesitated mere inches from pressing my mouth against hers. What if she didn't want this? Neither of us had discussed if we swung that way. But it seemed she knew her mind when I didn't. Closing the distance, she pushed the doubt from my mind as her soft lips found mine.

We kissed, sweetly, gently, both of us holding our breath until we parted. Once more we looked at each other, both of us wearing slight, hesitant smiles.

Coming forward again, I tasted her again, this time more firmly. Her arm slid around my waist, pulling me closer, encouraging what was happening.

Losing myself to the passion, I embraced her, my hands trailing across her skin, curious, but she reached for my hands and took them in both of hers, pulling away from my kiss at the same time.

"We shouldn't," she said. "It would help you sleep now, but wouldn't help tomorrow, when you need it most."

I sighed, not sure how to voice my annoyance that she was denying me as well.

"I know it's frustrating, but trust me, this time tomorrow you'll be thanking me."

Having nothing left to argue with, I let her turn me around and cuddle me from behind. With our hands entwined again, I closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind. There was nothing left to do but sleep. Tomorrow I would be unveiled.