Chapter 49
D raped on her marbled balustrade as she inhaled the scent of morning dew from the gardens far below her balcony, Alora clung to her steaming mug.
The final ball was that evening. A masquerade.
She glanced down the pebbled trails of greenery, the near-silent stream along the paths and benches. Wondering what ridiculous dress Ezander might request her to wear to flatter his attire like last evening.
Jade plopped down on a lounge behind her, groaning at the breakfast pastry in her hand, licking her fingers after eating it whole. Alora watched the starfire ring glisten against the sunlight when Jade groaned, “You’re getting spoiled.”
She met Jade’s stare as she licked the last of the glaze from her fingers, then leaned forward and grabbed another.
Miwa subtly smirked from her couch, turning a page in her book.
Footsteps padded up the staircase, drawing their attention. Alora half-expected to see Ezander, already chewing the inside of her cheek as to what to say about last night when they all turned and found a head of black hair and shale eyes.
“And how are you fine ladies this morning?” Aiden drawled, stopping on the last step to lean his hip against the pillar.
Jade simply rolled her eyes and laid her head on the cushion, popping a torn-off bite of pastry in her mouth as she fiddled with her melted coin necklace. Miwa looked awfully content, paying him no mind, and flipped another page of her book, then tensed with a feline grin at whatever she read.
Alora blew into her mug, lifting it slightly, and answered, “Fantastic. I’ve got tea.”
Aiden’s eyes danced with mischief as he sauntered forward, flattened his hands on the balustrade beside her, and grinned. “Herbal or verbal?”
She huffed a laugh and smiled, pointedly offering him a devious wink. “What are you up to so early?” Taking a sip, she surveyed him in his white tunic, which fluttered open and revealed his muscles and sea-worthy tattoos around the Dragon emblem.
Her sea captain scratched calluses against the marble, backing away to turn, and hopped on the ledge to swing his feet before he said, “Ole’ Gray and Scary”—he winked—“has business to attend to. Requested I stay here.” And gestured his head over his shoulder.
Alora followed the movement. Turning to the gardens below, scanning them more than once until she found a smear of white near the gates. The very open gates surrounded by High Guardsmen with Her High Prince and Thalon mounted on their horses in the midst of them.
She couldn’t see Garrik’s face, but from such a far distance, she felt every bit of indignation and reluctance pouring off those taut shoulders. In the way he gripped his reins. The slight blanching of his skin.
Where are you going? Alora called to him.
Without a second of silence, Garrik responded, Brennus summons me.
The air was cruel. It punched from her lungs the moment he finished speaking. Nerves fit to burst to flame, Alora dropped her mug on the marble, surprised when it didn’t shatter as she picked it back up, and moved to run through her balcony doors. I’m coming with you. Give me a moment. I need to change into my leath ? —
Thalon is accompanying me. There was a short pause as if he felt her panic. I will be safe, clever girl. S he was about to practice dawning again and settle herself on Ghost when he continued, I have searched the unguarded minds of those in the Raven’s encampment. She is not there. Garrik smiled, and somehow, she felt it. Then added, Guardians intimidate Brennus. He has never remained steady when Thalon is with me. We will return for the ball this evening.
Thalon moved his horse toward the gate.
Garrik followed, against her every protest. Do not allow Aiden to fall into trouble while we are absent. You have my permission to tie him somewhere until evening. They were through the gates now. A speck of black and white in the sea of autumn armor.
“Don’t go,” she whispered to the wind, but her mind goaded across the gardens, You want me tying up another male? Here I thought it was only you that you’d want me binding and yielding to my will?
Clearly, he heard the challenge. Enough that he stiffened in his saddle and his growl rumbled through every surface of her. Wicked, clever girl. To taunt me when I cannot so much as feel your skin against my fingertips.
Come back sooner than the masquerade, and perhaps I can make it up to you.
Mmm, he growled, and she could have sworn she felt hands brushing down her sides. Make no mistake, clever girl. If I get my hands on you tonight ? —
Miwa shrieked behind her.
This time, the mug did shatter against the floor when Alora jolted, toppling it over the edge of the railing.
Aiden was on his feet, dagger in hand. Jade stiffened like an iron rod was shoved down her spine.
Alora was entirely certain someone had been slaughtered by the sound her maidservant created. It sounded as dire as such, and the look on Miwa’s face could’ve convinced her as much.
The book in Miwa’s hand slammed shut. She threw it on her lap, on the teal dress matching her hair and brightening her amber eyes that now sealed closed. A throaty growl released from her, echoing off the mountain stones, furniture, and windows as she snarled out, “So. Lorcan. Did? So Lorcan did ?” She ran her hands down her face before falling to the cushions. “ WHAT DID HE DO, SARAH ?”
Knowing this book from Garrik’s selection in her tent, Alora fully understood her frustration. She merely smiled at Miwa.
Those pearly wings flared as she picked the book up again as if to see if what she had read was real, and giggled so ridiculously that even Jade laughed, too.
There was no word from Ezander.
Instead of attending an orchestra that late afternoon, the princeling was rumored to be tending to his duties somewhere in armor, sweating around other males in training.
Aiden escorted her and Jade, along with attendants, nobles, and one pouting princess without a High Prince on her arm, out of the theater. Music swam around her glistening eyes as they strolled up the street. The bellows of horns and the plucking of strings. The melodies when they swelled and other times when they were but a whisper. How she wished she could have ivory keys beneath her fingers.
Perhaps she’d ask Garrik to dawn her a piano for her tent after they found Blood.
The Ruby Crown welcomed them inside to sit on the terrace. Aiden reclined against the railing overlooking the river below, scanning the current and perking his lips when he laid eyes on the females, indeed, with fishtails below.
Alora drew a glass of whiskey to her lips, feeling the pleasant burn smoothly glide down her throat as Jade did the same with ale. Unlike himself, Aiden decided against rum and observed the room as she imagined Garrik would’ve done.
Erissa’s obnoxiously shrill laugh stabbed around the terrace. The males around her chuckled in return, flawlessly stroking her ego.
Jade tightened her jaw and glared through her upper lashes, sneering. “I have a jeweled dagger that would look pretty in the small of her back.” Fiery green eyes glared into Erissa as another shrill of laughter stabbed into their ears.
You can’t kill her.
“You can’t kill her,” Alora and Garrik warned together. Alora sent a flicker of starfire across that silver tether, dancing with his shadows as they had been doing all day. He made certain to check in with her continually as Brennus used his … skills. It was the only thing allowing her to somewhat enjoy the day.
Aiden leaned forward and grabbed a glass of water, frowning at it. He seemed to be praying to the stars before placing it to his lips when a shadow stepped beside Jade.
The smell of expensive wine clouded them before his voice interrupted. “Well, aren’t you the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen?”
Aiden choked on his drink.
Jade threw him a withering glare, then sarcastically smiled at the male. “You clearly don’t know who I am.” Every word a threat.
This was going to be a long day.
There, in that mirror of her bedchamber, Alora couldn’t do anything but gape.
Miwa backed away, hands drifting from the delicate curls she weaved on Alora’s head. Away from the aquamarine-encrusted snowflakes and chains of diamonds braided through her white hair. In the faelights, Miwa’s glowing dark skin brightened against the shimmer; the stardust flecked through the silver and white fabric hugged the swell of her chest.
She lifted the lioness mask from the vanity, finding the very same gemstones and snowflakes as her hair and gown. Noting the same swirls like a winter wind lavished in striking silver.
“Starsdamn,” Miwa cursed, speechless, and placed a glimmering silver crown of blue gemstones and diamonds through her hair.
Alora’s cheeks scarleted. At how ridiculous she looked. The sight of her …
She looked like … like an ice queen.
But Miwa gripped her shoulders and squeezed, staring her down in the mirror. She leaned close, a feline smile on her face as she whispered in her ear, “You’re going to bring him to his knees.”