Chapter 20 Jessiah
Jessiah
Iloathed balls. I loathed parties. My brother was much more of an entertainer than I was. He was charming. Likeable.
I used to be somewhat likeable. In the past, I’d fake a smile.
I’d bullshit my way through a few conversations if it meant keeping the peace.
Hells, even in Scarlata, I found myself wanting to keep the peace.
But here? It could have been the absolute twat of a king, or the way the hallways of the castle always smelled the slightest bit like smoke, but I quit caring how rude I came off.
Faking smiles was for people who gave a shit.
I was well past that point.
The tight shirt provided to me barely fit over my shoulders, restricting my movement. I was still able to strap my sword onto my hip, even though it looked ridiculous.
An Autumn Victorial ball. I bit my bottom lip to keep from scowling.
What a damn waste. We came here to aid the kingdom against rebel attacks, and we were spending our time drinking with the wealthy within the walls of the castle.
The large, arched ballroom doors came into view ahead. Half a dozen fae of Pericius mingled just outside the doors, and every one of them turned and looked at me as I approached. My white angel wings stiffened in response.
And just before I opened my mouth to say something I would most likely regret, Xavier stepped through the doors. He spotted me instantly and quickly closed the distance between us with a few large steps.
“There you are.” He ducked his head and put his hands in the front pockets of his trousers. “I was starting to think you’d bailed.”
“Why? Is bailing an option?”
His white teeth glistened as he smiled. “Very funny. It’s just a ball. You’ve probably attended hundreds of these things. Get a drink. Mingle with the folk. It’ll be over before you know it.”
One glance inside those doors had my stomach knotting. “And we’re set for tonight? You’re certain this is the right idea?”
Xavier backed up a step. “Don’t start second-guessing now, Jes. You said it yourself. We need to get Rummy out of here.”
He was right. We’d planned on sneaking from the castle to head to the Whispering Caves tonight, but that was only part of it. Rummy had no idea where we would really be headed.
Home.
She would never agree. Not now. Cornelius had dug his claws into her—and whatever she was hiding had something to do with him.
But I’d seen enough. Cornelius was nothing but a vile, destructive serpent.
We were getting out of here.
Tonight.
And Rummy was coming with us whether she agreed to it or not.
“You’re right,” I sighed. “Stick to the plan.”
Xavier nodded, already stepping past me. “I’ll see you at midnight, then.”
“Midnight.” I clasped him on the shoulder as he began down the hallway. Next step of the plan? Keeping an eye on Rummy until it came time to get out of here.
It took me all of three seconds to spot her in the crowd.
And two seconds for my heart to freeze in my chest at the sight of her.
She wore a long, silver dress that hugged her body like the finest silk. She moved like nobody watched her, like she wasn’t in a kingdom full of potential danger. I caught myself smiling before I could bite my lip to stop it.
I rolled my shoulders back and tucked my wings as tight as possible behind my shoulder blades so I could avoid bumping as many strangers as possible while I maneuvered the thick crowd.
Tonight, we played things Rummy’s way.
Tonight, we partied until midnight.