26
A dainty gold chain lay in its velvet box, sparkling with rose-cut emeralds and miniature pearl drops. Matching earrings rested in the center. I marveled at the intricacy of the set, but it was nothing compared to the note that came with it.
For you.
Bennett
I never knew three words could addle me so much.
“Incredible. Men usually have horrendous taste in jewelry,” Giselle said after the maid who delivered it scampered off. “And it matches the dress I made for you for tonight! This is perfect!”
Misty sniffed the jewels. Completely inedible. How disappointing.
Giselle helped me into the gown she had made for the viewing of Ode to the Moon —an exquisite emerald number with a slight train. The fabric was rich and mesmerizing, hugging my waist and exposing a daring expanse of skin. I hadn’t worn anything quite so ravishing in ages, but I felt comfortable, as I did in all of Giselle’s creations.
The seamstress sat me down before the vanity and fastened the necklace around my neck.
I put the earrings on hesitantly, touching the cool gems at my throat. “Isn’t this a little much?”
High society always made it a point to adorn themselves extravagantly for opera nights. I’ve donned my fair share of outrageous pieces, but somehow dripping in the crown prince’s jewels felt even more outrageous.
First he kissed me. Now he was sending lavish gifts. Those actions spoke more than mere concern for my person. I was almost afraid to acknowledge what was happening.
Giselle took my shoulders. “Don’t be silly. You look perfect except...” She squinted at our reflection and snorted at the smudge of rouge on my chin.
I rubbed it away, embarrassed. The color seemed to end up everywhere no matter how careful I was.
“Not to worry, I have a solution,” Giselle said, taking the powder puff from my vanity. She lightly tapped it over my mouth. “There. That ought to keep it in place.”
I ran my finger over my bottom lip. “Really?”
She waggled her brows. “Maybe Bennett can help you find out.”
“Giselle!” I stood up. A fierce blush burned my cheeks.
She pushed me back down. “Hold on. Just one more thing.” She took two pearl combs from the drawers and began to twist my hair up .
I covered the back of my neck on instinct. “Wait, I—”
“Don’t be shy now. You have a lovely neck.”
I surveyed the scar that marred my throat. The wound had closed, but the scab had yet to fade. The gold of my witch traits speckled the back of my neck. I had never shown it to anyone willingly. The combination was surely a garish sight.
“I’m going to take this out once you leave,” I said bluntly.
“Ah, then I won’t leave. I’ll escort you to the auditorium myself. Feel free to disassemble your coiffure when it’s dark, but not before your fiancé sees you.”
My ears heated. “Has anyone told you how domineering you are?”
Giselle tugged on a curl. “Yes. Your brother.”
As if he had been summoned, Maddox burst through the door. “I’m still employed!” he crowed, practically skipping inside. “And my wages have doubled .”
I stood, ignoring Giselle’s protestations. “What?”
“Thank you, Cissa.” Maddox pulled me into a bone-crushing hug and danced out the room. “You’re the best sister ever!”
THE AUDITORIUM WAS abuzz with chatter when I arrived. Lady Ruan arranged for us to be on the third level, directly across the stage and equally as visible to the audience. It was no surprise that the entrance to our box was crowded with guests.
Ulysses stood in the midst of them, politely denying entry. “The crown prince would like some privacy, gentlemen. Er, madam, please put down that spyglass.”
Giselle managed to slip me and Misty past the thickening crowd .
“There’s the witch princess,” someone whispered.
“What is that on her neck?”
We ducked through the curtains.
Giselle gave a low whistle, glancing back at the rabble. “Not a subtle group, are they?” She made a face when she saw me clutching Misty to my chest like my life depended on it. “Narcissa! Don’t try to shield my work of art with a cat.”
Misty hissed. I am the work of art. She jumped to the floor.
I covered the back of my neck. “This can’t be wise,” I said, peering at the opera-goers between the curtains. They looked as upset as the Vandil crowd did. If Alevine was as anti-witch as Ulysses claimed, the blatant exposure of my witch traits would only rile them.
“They’ll have to accept they have an herbwitch princess sooner or later,” Giselle said firmly.
“What if they don’t?”
Giselle’s expression softened. “They will,” she said, squeezing my hand. “Now, I’m going to see if there’s a smithy somewhere. I’ve lost my smoothing iron and all my skirts are horribly wrinkled.”
“You’re not staying?” I asked, slightly panicked. Without Giselle, I’d be the only witch present.
She merely gave a coy wave and disappeared behind the curtains. I sighed and picked Misty back up.
“Narcissa. You’re here.”
I whirled around.
Bennett stood stiffly beside the seats, his gaze sweeping over me. I tucked a stray curl behind my ear, unsure of what to make of his expression.
“You didn’t discharge my guards,” I said after a beat.
“You were right. I was being a fool. ”
“I didn’t mean to insult you, I was just—”
“It’s fine.” Bennett cleared his throat. “You...you look good.”
Misty squirmed out of my arms again. I think I hear some mice in that corner . She darted to the far end of the box.
“You as well,” I choked out, taking a seat. It wasn’t a lie. He looked devastatingly handsome in his suit of black and white. Giselle had sewn slivers of emerald silk along his cuffs and lapels.
Bennett rubbed a hand over his face—though it did little to conceal his reddening cheeks. He sat down beside me.
“Thank you. For the jewelry,” I said. Silence seemed worse than awkward conversation.
“Do you like it?” He turned to me eagerly.
I was startled by the light in his eyes. And the way my breath caught in response. I nodded.
“Perfect. Green suits you.”
I dipped my head—my poor attempt at concealing my reddening cheeks.
Bennett cleared his throat. “I originally wanted to go to the aviary but Ulysses convinced me otherwise.”
“The aviary? Whatever for?”
“Er...you like animals, yes? I thought a bird would—never mind. T-the necklace...you look lovely,” Bennett finished lamely.
I blushed.
Thankfully for both of us, the lights dimmed and the murmuring quieted. The show was starting. Misty meandered back to my feet. Perhaps it was best that Bennett’s gift wasn’t edible for my cat.
Is he done whispering sweet nothings?
I shot her a glare. He was not whispering sweet nothings .
She made herself comfortable on the plush carpet. Sure .
He was only being friendly, I thought to her fiercely.
Bennett took my hand and slipped something cool onto my finger. It was an emerald ring, glittering in the dim light, the impressive stone surrounded by luminous seed pearls.
“Good. It fits,” Bennett whispered. His breath tickled my ear.
I swallowed. “You didn’t have to.”
I made a move to pull away, but Bennett closed his fingers around mine. He seemed emboldened by the darkness. “I wanted to send it with the others, but I thought it best to give it to you myself,” he said softly.
My appreciation for the dimmed lights increased tenfold. I was sure my face was the same shade as my hair.
Oh yes. Very friendly , Misty said wryly.
“You...didn’t run off to get this yesterday, did you?” I asked, turning to him.
That was a mistake. Bennett was much closer than I anticipated. He merely smiled— smiled . “It was a worthy errand.”
The orchestra began playing a lilting overture. “I’m afraid Ulysses did not think so.”
“Let’s not talk about Ulysses,” he murmured.
The curtains lifted slowly from the stage. I gently tugged my hand out of his. “The show is starting.”
But Bennett’s eyes were still on me. I took a pair of opera glasses from the stand beside us and shoved it in his hands, babbling something about having a better view.
I grabbed Misty from the ground despite her protests and tucked her over my shoulder, shielding my face with her fur. Anything to get his eyes off me. I didn’t think I could take another smile without doing something very unwise. Like kiss him senseless.
Misty pawed at my collarbones. You’re suffocating me .
Just one more minute , I pleaded.
She mewed in exasperation. Perhaps he was a little too friendly.
The curtains drew back fully, exposing a bright stage. It displayed the celestial scene we had seen yesterday, but now flooded with intense limelight. On top of the giant painted moon sat Celeste, swathed in a glittering blue robe that trailed to the stage floor. The clouds behind her floated along the suspension wires.
She opened her mouth and sang.
Her voice was high and sweet, yet resonant. She sang about loneliness, longing, curiosity for the world below. The orchestra rose and fell like waves with her song.
The audience was enraptured. It was nothing like traditional opera that at times pierced one’s ears. Celeste’s voice was softer. Melodious. Entrancing.
The composition played out within the span of two hours, the intermission brief. The moon goddess descended to the earth and fell in love with a human king. He showed her the wonders of his kingdom, but it wasn’t long before his scheming concubine spread the rumor of the goddess being a wicked succubus. The citizens drove her away to a desolate desert. It was there she died, abandoned by her love. In the finale, Celeste, dressed in shimmering white, returned to the moon, concluding the story.
Applause roared within the auditorium when she took her final bow. The curtains fell. The room filled with warm candlelight once again.
“Well, that was simply phenomenal!”
I turned to see Ulysses behind us. “When did you come in, Ulysses?”
“Oh, just a few minutes after the opera started.” The steward polished his spectacles and gestured to the curtains. “ We ought to slip off before the crowd thickens. Your Highness, Lady Narcissa?”
An unexpected dizziness came over me when I stood. I steadied myself against the railing and rubbed my temple.
Bennett took my arm. “Are you alright?”
Misty meowed in concern. I shook my head. “A passing headache. It’s nothing.”
He pressed a hand against my forehead and cheeks, his palm large and warm. “We shouldn’t have left Vandil so soon.”
Embarrassed, I pulled away. “I’m fine.”
Ulysses cleared his throat. “Perhaps Lady Narcissa will benefit from early rest. Shall we go?”
Bennett didn’t look convinced, but followed us out nonetheless. Several guests were already outside, but one look from the steward prevented anyone from approaching. Unfortunately, it didn’t stop them from speaking.
“Did you see her?” a middle-aged woman whispered behind a feathered fan.
Her companion nodded. “She has bewitched the crown prince, that is certain. He barely looked at the stage twice!”
“What sort of witchcraft do you suppose she was using?”
Bennett frowned at the two women. They scrambled into curtsies.
“Your Highness!” The woman with the fan gave a nervous giggle. “Did you enjoy the show?”
Bennett merely took my hand and brushed past them, his strides longer than usual. I had to trot to keep up. Ulysses opened his mouth and rushed after us in the open hallway.
“Your Highness! That was Dame Fiona Powell of—”
“I don’t care who she was, Ulysses. They all should know not to blatantly disrespect royalty,” the crown prince said as we hiked up the steps .
Ulysses’s shoes squeaked against the marble. “Of course, Your Highness, but it is of utmost importance to keep good relations with families of power, especially here in Alevine!”
The steward was right. The point of the tour was to uphold the image of the royal family. Bennett had his fair share of gossip surrounding him as evidenced by Sister Scarlett’s column, but never had he behaved so brashly. What had gotten into him?
“We should apologize.” I stopped, nearly bumping into Misty.
Bennett paused a few steps above me, his hand still holding mine. “You need to rest.”
“But Ulysses is right.”
He turned and sighed, closing his eyes briefly. “I will handle it.” His gaze dipped to my scar. “Take care of yourself.”
He kissed my fingertips with painful gentleness, then let go. Ulysses looked between us with an unreadable expression before sighing.
“Rest up, Lady Narcissa. Tomorrow will be a big day.”