Chapter 17 #2
His brown hair was a little more unkempt than usual, as though he’d raked his hands through it one too many times.
He looked at her with those honey-colored eyes, except this time they appeared frosted, touched by ice.
There was a snag near the collar of his black shirt where some of the fabric had begun to fray and a dark stain, like mud, along the hem of his pants.
He cracked his knuckles, the skull rings he wore glinting in the low light.
Beside her, Atlas stiffened.
Everinne took in Jarek’s roughened appearance and cocked her head to the side. Smirking, she asked, “Rough night?”
He ignored her question.
“I see you brought the prince as your guest for the evening.” Jarek looked pointed at their joined hands.
Atlas’s grip increased, squeezing her hand.
Jarek bowed obnoxiously low. “Your Imperial Highness.”
Atlas merely inclined his head in acknowledgement, his gaze darkening.
The tension between the two males was pulled taut like a tightrope, ready to snap. This was not the same wave of jealousy she’d sensed from Atlas while flirting with Lord Tovian. No, this was something more potent and bitter. Hostile and ancient.
“Well…” Everinne glanced up at the two males staring off with one another. “I have to go get ready before I’m late.”
Jarek offered his arm. “Do you need me to show you to the dressing rooms?”
She gave him a tight smile. “I can manage on my own.”
At least, she would’ve been able to find her way if Atlas would let her go.
He pulled her to his side, pointing up to where one of the balconies protruded from the center, higher than all the rest. Silken emerald curtains were tied back with gold cord, framing a gilded chair fit for a kralv. Or a prince.
“My suite is up there.” He met her gaze in earnest, then released her hand. “If you need me, you’ll know where to find me.”
“Thank you, Your Radiance.” She grinned when he gritted his teeth, then she turned on one heel, stalking off with purpose away from the glowering males.
The floor beneath her feet shimmered with each step and she tried not to stare as she passed a pretty vampire dressed in a gown of sheer scarlet lace that was so snug, the intricate details looked painted on her ivory flesh.
With a stig pinched between two of her fingers and a glass full of bubbly gold liquid in the other, her bell-like laughter only further entranced the gathering of mesmerized males surrounding her.
Not so long ago, Everinne held that kind of power.
She could waltz into a room and snare the wandering eye of every male in her general vicinity.
But instead of merely enjoying the attention she craved, she was forced to work for it.
Now, she danced on hoops and put the extent of her talents on display out of necessity.
Eventually, she might grow weary of performing and maybe the excitement would fade with time.
But not tonight.
It took her slightly longer than she expected, but finally Everinne discovered the dressing room beneath the menagerie. She shoved open the door and was instantly greeted by Aisling’s wide and welcoming smile.
“Everinne!” Aisling pulled out a chair in front of one of the vanities. “Dress quickly, milazk , so I can do your makeup before your performance.”
A blush crept into Everinne’s cheeks.
“You don’t have to, I was only joking about that last night.” Everinne walked over to the racks of glittering fabrics to choose an outfit for the night. “I’m perfectly capable of putting on my own makeup.”
“Nonsense.” Aisling waved one hand through the air, the silver bangles on her wrists jingling with the movement.
Her hot pink hair was twisted into a braid that fell over one shoulder, a few of the pieces pinned into place by charms shaped like snowflakes.
She wore snug black leather pants, and the beads sewn onto her white bodice sparkled like moonlit snow.
She tapped the back of the chair with her nails.
“Besides, I’ve been here for so long, applying makeup has become an expression of art for me. ”
“So long?” Everinne asked, selecting a sapphire bodysuit. “The Mystic Obscura hasn’t been in Prava for more than a few years.”
“You’re right, of course.” Aisling’s face shuttered, her cerulean eyes losing a hint of their previous light. “Forgive me, I don’t know where my mind has been lately. I must’ve misspoken.”
Everinne couldn’t fault her. Working in a place like the Mystic Obscura, where exotic nights blurred into forgotten days, it seemed only natural that someone would simply lose track of time.
She switched out of her clothing and slipped into the bodysuit.
It crushed her breasts, shoving them upward, but the satin straps offered her security and would keep them in place while she was on the hoops.
The lower half of the suit cut high up her thighs, and dozens of misshaped diamonds fell like fringe, tinkling with every movement.
Again, Aisling worked her own kind of magic, fanning out the liner across the tops of Everinne’s eyes and painting her lips a deep, cherry red.
Everinne strapped on a pair of heels that looped around her ankles, and then her new friend was hustling her out the door, warning her not to be late.
She stepped out into the hall, glancing long enough behind her to catch Reine shuffling into one of the rooms further down the dimly lit corridor.
That was fine, Everinne had a better sense of direction now, and made her way back up the winding staircase to the grand stage easily enough. Except when she arrived, Reine was there waiting for her.
Everinne almost lost her footing and threw one arm out, grasping the railing for support. She looked behind her, back the way she came, then back up at Reine. “How did you…”
“How did I what?” Reine asked, tilting her head so that her pin straight hair fell like a curtain of rich brown silk.
Everinne blinked, shaking off the confusion. “I could’ve sworn I just saw you go into one of the rooms below the menagerie.”
Reine laughed, and the golden spirals hanging from her ears slithered like tiny snakes. She placed one hand on her hip, then leaned against the bronze railing. “I wish I could be in two places at once. Sometimes I feel like I’m running around in circles here.”
She clicked her tongue, her hooded eyes sliding to the vast audience. “Someone is always needing something.”
“Running the Mystic Obscura must take a lot of effort.” Everinne climbed the last few steps, preparing to go on stage. “I’m sure it’s exhausting.”
“You have no idea.” Reine gestured to the stage, and the swath of glamour enveloped them both. “You remember the word?”
“Yes.” Everinne nodded, catching sight of a smudge of red on the back of Reine’s hand. “You’ve got something on your hand. Just there.”
Reine glanced down sharply and sighed, smearing the streak of crimson away with her thumb. “Lipstick,” she muttered. “Unfortunately, not all of my performers are as talented with makeup application as Aisling.”
Then she slid past Everinne, the train of her black velvet gown pooling around her like a midnight lake. A warm smile lifted her lips, and she nodded in encouragement. “You’re up, Everinne.”
The same solid gold hoop appeared before Everinne and she reached out, gripping it tightly with one hand. Magic coated her skin, a soothing comfort as the glamour rippled around the outer edges of the stage, waiting patiently for her.
“ Trivno .”
At once, the hoop lifted into the air, suspending her high above the rows of balconies where the audience fixated upon whatever wonder awaited them beyond the shimmering veil of the stage. Somewhere out there, watching and seated upon a chair like a throne, was Atlas.
Nervous energy crackled through Everinne.
Just for tonight, she would dance for him.