31. Raven
My nerves spat and sparked like a box of mini fireworks ignited all at once.
Physically, I was better than I’d been in over a week, maybe longer, my body ache- and blemish-free. Mentally, emotionally…I didn’t know where I stood. On edge mostly?
I only remembered bits and pieces of yesterday’s visit to the pub. And from what I did recall, what I’d heard from others, the information left me jumbled and confused.
I’d healed Earl, and everybody was happy… There was that. But I held fragments of a fight between Chace and Winter. According to Camilla, Winter knocked Chace out cold, after Chace had thrust Winter across the room in a valiant attempt to protect me from magic imbibing.
Imbibing was how Camilla described what Winter did when he’d sucked the power out from beneath my skin.
But he’d already removed his magic, so what had he imbibed? Mine?
At the thought, my heart turned into a too-fast battering ram.
I pressed a hand to my chest. Whatever he did, he did it to help me. He’d retrieved Kira, empowered her with what she needed to heal me. And she’d done exactly that.
“Arms out and turn around,” Camilla said. “I need to tighten the back.”
I spun a half turn. I stood to the side of my room, and Camilla fussed over the fit of the creation I wore. The gown for the big birthday event that evening.
I closed my eyes and breathed in and out. In. Out. My mind wandered to yesterday’s quiet moments with Chace. How he’d lain beside me. Wrapped around me. The tip of his nose drawing gentle lines across my jawbone. Behind my ear and along my neck.
Camilla tapped my upper arm. “All set. The dress is well fitted. Now let’s go join the party.”
“I don’t know about this.”
Being social at a large event? Although I did want to see Chace. Especially after yesterday.
Camilla teased my elbow and urged me forward. “Something tells me you’re in for something special this evening.”
I laughed and followed her out the door and down the hall. We turned a corner, and a few of the gown’s feathers grazed the bend.
“Watch the skirt.” Camilla slid her hand between the wall and my gown. “Don’t want to snag and lose a feather.”
How many times during the night would that become an issue? Probably every time I moved.
Camilla’s design was a masterpiece made for me and me alone. Black as night, with gleaming rubies along the fitted, low-cut bodice, it perfectly complemented my hair—onyx with threads of crimson. The skirt swept wide in waves of large black feathers. Like my name, and my friendly raven, Poe.
Black heels shimmered beneath the folds of feathers and red gloves stretched the lengths of my arms. Gloves meant to hide my many injuries. Injuries that were no longer present after Kira’s healing.
And because the birthday ball was a masked event, I had a provocative black bird likeness to wrap across my face.
Camilla helped tie the mask in place, taking care not to mangle the braids and curls Neive had worked into my hair.
Both Neive and Lucas had captured glimpses of what I would glide into the ball wearing, and they both had oohed and awed.
Neive even gave me a wink, suggesting devilish things awaited me at the party. Possibly after.
But no one knew the full extent of my plans for the evening. Far more than a party was stamped on my agenda for that night.
Still, while I had Myla’s drawings cemented in my mind, and I needed to investigate the specter source location before the night ended, I was looking forward to seeing Chace. Both nervous and excited to witness his reaction when he laid eyes upon me in the extraordinary gown.
“I really wish the girls could have been here to see you in this dress.” Camilla shimmered at my side in pink perfection. A gown of gossamer satin and lace, glittering like diamonds with countless sequins and stones. “They, too, wanted to witness how the male-folk react when they see you.”
By male-folk, she meant Chace and Winter. The twins were far too invested in my personal life. Something I didn’t encourage. Too many lines had already been crossed on this reap.
Was that how it happened with Valen’s coreaper? She became too invested to act impartially?
That won’t happen to me.
But…wasn’t it already happening? What if I were tasked to reap one of the twins? Could I follow through?
My heart leaped against my ribs. I’d already received that task when Winter first carried me into Camilla’s home.
Reaping hell. I didn’t think I could do it.
I found more fulfillment in healing Earl than I ever had in transitioning a soul. And the girls, Myla…
“I’m so sorry they’re missing this.” I felt responsible.
The fact that one was overcome by illness right after healing me… Yeah, that couldn’t be a coincidence.
“It’s not your fault. Truly it’s not.” Camilla suddenly gasped, then placed a gloved hand on mine and guided us back a step, retreating around a corner.
“What is it?” I whispered.
“Royal escort.” Camilla peeked around the corner.
I followed suit, and together we spied on the collection of guards and royals as they moved through the adjoining hallway.
Winter’s family, minus Winter, passed in silence with a team of guards.
His grandmother, afflicted mother with personal servants, and a male who was most likely Winter’s father.
Plus two others I couldn’t immediately place, a male and female…
and too many guards to count. The number of accompanying guards leaned toward overkill.
Of the plus two, the male had hair the color of reddish-orange fall leaves, accentuated with threads of brown. The woman, long black strands. She flipped her hair, bringing her profile into view.
I covered my mouth against my sudden intake of breath. I stared at the individual responsible for summoning the specters. The lady, as per Kira and Myla. The Watcher from the underground tunnels and the reaper I needed to stop.
But not in front of all the royals and countless guards.
Camilla pulled away from the corner, her eyes wide, breathing rapidly.
I pressed a light touch between her shoulder blades. “What is it?”
“Nothing. I just wasn’t ready.”
“For?”
She shook her head and straightened her skirt, then turned to me and fussed over my gown. “Every year they have someone represent August at the birthday bash. They make him look as close to the real deal as possible.” She pressed her palm to her heart and took a deep breath. “That guy was just…”
I understood missing someone. Maybe not to the extent Camilla was experiencing, but I could still sympathize. I rested my hand over hers. No words were necessary because what could you really say to someone who was missing a part of their heart and soul?
Camilla sucked back a breath through her nose, then straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Shall we get to the party?”
She directed me in the opposite direction the royals had traveled, but I didn’t move. I glanced down the now-empty hall in the direction Winter’s family had disappeared.
“Aren’t they going to the ball?” I asked.
A careful smile graced Camilla’s lips. “They’ll make an appearance eventually. But that’s clearly not where they’re currently headed.”
Huh.
My thoughts jumbled, I nibbled on my lower lip and followed Camilla’s guidance with no further questions as we made our way toward the ever-increasing clamor of the birthday bash.
Camilla and I entered the social affair from the top of a grand staircase, pausing on the upper landing a moment…or several…to absorb the scene.
White marble floors inlaid with saffron spread out before us, and white ribbed columns stood several stories tall, gilded with gold. Matching staircases fed into the gala from opposite corners on one side of the ginormous space, and a royal box was situated on the wall at the far end.
Lights shimmered along the walls in long strings, and swags of fall leaves draped around the walls and tables.
Crystal chandeliers glistened with amber and lemon dewdrops, and flickering candles danced in the air in between.
Balloons in fall colors kissed the ceiling, their curled strings, a full two floor-lengths, reaching toward the ground.
And itty-bitty orange, red, and yellow leaves no bigger than my fingertip tumbled from above on an occasional whispering wind.
I hardly contained the tiny wheeze of “wow” from rolling off my tongue. The place, the people were superlative.
I pressed my palms to the railing and ogled the unfolding event.
Skirts twirled around the main floor, couples already dancing.
The colors of the costumes and masks spun into a joyous blur while the band played a wildly sensuous tune.
Delighted laughter and the clang of champagne flutes accompanied a magical melody.
Camilla slid into place at my side. “Aren’t you glad you didn’t miss this?”
“Hmm,” was all I heard myself say.
I stood mesmerized. The setting, the exhilaration, the environment… All of it took my breath away. But I didn’t belong here. I was a reaper, and I didn’t belong here. Yet I didn’t turn away. I had Camilla’s gorgeous creation to show off and…
Taking a deep breath, I skittered my gaze over the crowd, searching and searching. Searching for him. He might have yet to arrive, but Camilla said he would come. A light sweat tickled the back of my hairline as my hunt continued.
Camilla leaned near my ear. “I think a few people have already been snared by your beauty. They’re starting to stare.”
“As they should.” Winter’s words whispered over my shoulder.
I flushed and spun to greet him, placing my back against the railing.
Always a treat for the eyes, the prince stood before me, regal as ever.
He donned the finest of garments, decorated in pale green and bronze and black, beautifully accentuating his pearlescent complexion.
A simple bronze band covered the top of his face.
I tapped the edge of my feathered mask. “How did you recognize me?”