Chapter 23
The corridor outside was dimly lit by the Ossuaire’s ward-lamps. Guardians stood at attention, three of them, fully glamoured, ready for the escort.
Mingxi stood at the center. He had been reviewing sigil-route projections with Rowan when the door opened. The motion made him turn, and his world simply stopped.
For the smallest fraction of a moment, Mingxi forgot to breathe.
Penelope stepped into the ward-light, the emerald gown catching every flicker of magic, framing her in shadows and gold. Her posture was perfect, her expression calm, and her presence unmistakable.
She was a force.
Mingxi narrowed his eyes, just barely, just enough that someone who knew him well would recognize it as shock. Or awe.
He recovered quickly, bowing his head. “Lady Penelope. Your carriage awaits.”
She noted that his voice was different, lower, steadier, carrying something that hadn’t been there before. Penelope’s heart hammered once, hard, traitorous.
Rowan cleared his throat loudly. “Shall we proceed?”
Mingxi extended his arm for her, and Penelope placed her hand atop it with regal calm. She did not miss the quiet inhale he took when her fingers brushed his sleeve.
So began their journey to the Winter’s End Ball.