Chapter 243

Celena's Perspective The velvet curtain fell closed behind me, sealing off Jacob and the dusty world outside. Inside was another space—larger than I’d imagined, and far more… private. The light was a soft, warm gold from several wall sconces and a floor lamp with intricate brass filigree. The air held a clean, crisp scent of herbs and woodsmoke, like cedar blended with a faintly bitter floral note I couldn’t name. Tall, antique clothing racks stood arranged throughout the room, each holding only a few garments, all meticulously shrouded in breathable dust covers. Mannequins stood in corners, draped with exquisite, unfinished pieces. A massive floor-length mirror with a frame carved in vines and flowers stood against one wall, its surface preternaturally clear. Against another wall was a heavy cherrywood worktable strewn with pincushions, spools of thread, measuring tapes, and several thick, open notebooks filled with fashion sketches and watercolor illustrations. Jacob rem