Chapter Three Wren #2
I loved her, I did, but she was often detached in a way that reminded me of an empty husk of a woman.
Perhaps you had to be when everyone’s eyes were constantly on you.
I wanted to know her, the real her beneath the collected facade, but I suspected she’d played this role all her life and wasn’t sure how to turn on her humanity again.
It was one of the many reasons I’d grown bitter about the northerners.
How easily they judged, how easily they could turn their backs on so-called friends.
They played a game I was too exhausted, and possibly frightened, to play.
Father clasped my arm as we exited our carriage, Callie on his other side. With wide eyes, I took in the grand mansion belonging to the Lovetts, who owned half of Aurilia’s weapons industry. Father and Lord Lovett were close, and I suspected they’d sneak away to the study for most of the night.
“Smile,” Mother whispered, her voice low and dulcet. Her mask was fully in place.
Canting my chin, I gazed at the three-story building covered in winding ivy, the arched windows shining with welcoming light from the party roaring inside.
It was a fine brick home, elegant in a way that hinted of taste and old money.
The Lovetts were not exclusively in the shipping business, but noble members of society as well.
They were the perfect family to host the first soiree of what would be a summer of extravagant gatherings.
I’d likely have to be dragged to each and every one—
Unless the Fates accepted my request, and my desperate hope of discovering a mistake was realized.
Doubtful.
My knees shook and sweat ran down my spine.
However welcoming the Lovetts would be, others wouldn’t be so kind.
One thing I loathed more than our society’s inability to recognize women as the fierce creatures they were, was attention.
It made my skin prickle and my cheeks flush.
These uptight bastards had the vexing power to make me feel as if every move I made were the wrong one.
Maybe they simply enjoyed watching others wither beneath their assessing gazes, like it awarded them more satisfaction than any magical item could.
Thanks to Callie and her blunt approach to our world, I’d learned such lessons early.
I sucked in the last bit of fresh air and eyed the stone pathway leading to the massive entry, the stained glass of the door casting dancing rainbows across the incoming guests, all proudly exhibiting their excessive finery.
“Keep your chin up and smile,” Father murmured tersely into my ear.
He tugged me from Mother’s grip, and instantly, his warmth seeped into me, making me feel more stable, less nauseous at the glowers I suspected I’d find within the mansion.
“A Hayes doesn’t bend or bow,” he added, leaning back to wink at me.
I softened at the twinkle in his eye, which rarely made an appearance.
It used to…back when I was a child and he hadn’t grown into his full might yet.
I returned his wink, wishing with all my heart he’d become the gentle and carefree man he used to be, if only for a night. But wishing would be useless.
My lips, which had been cemented into a frown for the past week, tugged up rigidly at the sides.
If Father had to work with the ruthless representatives of the various wards of our city, then I could walk into this party and pretend, like I always had before.
I could smile and act as if I weren’t shattered and broken inside.
As if I weren’t some useless cretin no one would dare get close to.
It was fine.
I didn’t care for many people anyway.
Fates. If I told myself that lie one more damned time, I would lose my mind.
One step at a time. One breath at a time. Smile.
I held my head high as Father had instructed, and while my chin quivered and my palms grew clammy beneath my long white gloves, I didn’t pause, didn’t hesitate, when I walked over the threshold and into a magnificent hall captured straight out of a whimsical dream.
Gauzy ivory drapes fluttered between sconces of polished silver, and copper keys of varying designs were strung above the towering foyer.
A gasp left me as we strolled past the entry and into the lavish ballroom beyond.
Actual trees had been uprooted and placed in every corner, their branches dipping low and their leaves painted vibrant colors.
From their mighty limbs, diamonds glistened, and elegant scraps of folded parchment tied with green satin ribbons swayed in an invisible wind that smelled of spun sugar.
Unable to quell my curiosity, and momentarily forgetting not to make a spectacle of myself, I broke free from Callie and my parents and wandered over to one of the majestic trees.
Gently, I reached for one of the rolled-up papers, my heart thudding with curious excitement. In gilded script were five words:
Seek the magic you cannot see.
I cocked my head at the vague and slightly silly message.
“They’re meant to be mysterious.”
I turned to the unfamiliar voice. A young woman wearing an emerald dress stood to my right, her brown skin shimmering from some glittering lotion and her lids painted a bold pink. She smiled, her light brown eyes friendly enough.
“I suppose it goes with the theme?” I said, twisting to appraise the rest of the room.
Indeed, the Lovetts’ home had been transformed into a fairy-tale forest, and flowers of every shade adorned the walls, while lush green ivy encircled the blooms. Crystal glasses dyed a pretty pink were being passed around by black-suited waiters, and the liquid inside called my name.
Fates, I could use some courage. Maybe two or three glasses of it.
“Ruby,” the woman said, thrusting out her hand, a silver signet ring glistening in the ethereal lighting.
I startled for a moment, surprised I hadn’t seen her before, but I instinctively held out my hand in welcome. “Wren.”
Her grip was firm, much more so than I was expecting, and I noted the roughened feel of calluses on her ungloved hands.
Before I could ponder it further, Ruby whirled to the closest waiter and snagged two glasses, relinquishing one to me. “I have a feeling you’ll need this,” she whispered, her attention cast ahead. I followed her stare as my stomach churned.
Lovely.
My new friend had been correct in her assumption. Every pair of eyes in the room flitted my way before being hastily averted. They were far from subtle. Now that reality had settled in, I perceived my name on their lips as well.
It occurred to me that this would be a rather long evening.
Is it too early to bolt?
Across the ballroom were the usual young women I socialized with; all daughters of lords or representatives. Father approved of them as “acceptable” friends, and without a choice, I made do with their tedious conversation and gossip. If not, I would’ve been trapped in the town house all day.
This evening, the ones who owned gifts wore them proudly, and I spotted Cecile stroking the red ribbon tied to her sweeping pink dress.
It had the ability to transform her into a vision of perfection, the ribbon imparting physical beauty.
She adored it, but I was greedy and wanted more than to look pretty for people I hardly cared for.
That might have made me sound self-righteous and all sorts of stuck-up, but they were my true thoughts, and at least I wasn’t sharing them out loud.
Danielle, Cecile’s cousin, smiled at Lilly as she touched the woman’s drink, the sapphire ring on her brown finger refilling the cup.
Her gift was interesting, able to fill what was once empty; from drinks to plates of food or dried-out fountains in a garden.
Danielle was the kindest of the group, and the one I gravitated toward during our afternoon strolls.
She wasn’t as unforgiving as the others, and her smile could light up a room. Though such a smile was rare.
Cecile lifted her nose when she caught me staring, and quickly ushered her friends onto the dance floor. Danielle shot me a quick look but trailed after Cecile, helpless. If she stayed, she, too, would be cast aside.
Their absence didn’t stop the sharp stab of hurt that shot through me as I watched their retreating forms. Here I’d believed they’d at least speak with me. We’d been acquaintances for most of our lives.
How quickly they deemed me less than.
I scolded myself, knowing I should’ve prepared for such a reaction. I’d witnessed such things before with other ladies of society, never believing it would happen to me.
Fool.
Fates, even the young nobles avoided my gaze, not one daring to step close enough to be seen as taking an interest. In their eyes, courting me would lower their own worth.
I swallowed thickly and turned my head to the band, pretending the sting of betrayal wasn’t present.
A lively tune had begun, played by a stout musician with a trimmed mustache.
He lifted his violin, and instantly, I understood that it was magicked as well, for the notes he emitted were accompanied by other sounds that could not possibly have been created by one instrument alone.
Magic was everywhere.
I was instantly jealous. No, beyond jealous. Sad, hurt, pissed—you name it, I felt it. All of those emotions stirred within me like a poisonous brew.
The glass in my hand suddenly felt too heavy, but I had an easy fix. I chugged the contents in one go, uncaring if my mother, who was currently surrounded by admirers, glared at me in distaste. She could simmer for the rest of the night for all I cared. She had dragged me here, after all.
“Whoa, slow down,” Ruby admonished with a giggle. I had nearly forgotten her entirely. “Though I did find that impressive,” she added with a raised brow.
With the drink warming my belly, I gave her a wry smile. “Oh, I most definitely am going to need another one of those.”