“No excuses!” She dragged me out of the bed. “I’m not letting you stay alone while all of us are enjoying ourselves.”
“I don’t—” I trailed off when Florence’ hands reached for the unbuttoned part of the dress at my neck. Her fingers swiftly fixed up my appearance until she beamed, looking me up and down.
“Perfect!” she exclaimed, nodding. “Let’s go.”
“I won’t stay for long.” I gave up as she pushed me out of the room.
“Of course.” She grinned from ear to ear. “I wouldn’t expect any more!”
Three—no, four—pairs of eyes landed on me when we entered the ballroom of the castle, which now looked empty compared to the last time I was in here. Francis’ fingers still flew across the keys of a grand piano in the center of the room, stumbling only for a moment before he averted his gaze back to the music sheet, smiling.
Roxanne, Simon, and a mysterious guest I had never met before, sat on the settees next to the piano; a circular table held their drinks while they enjoyed the music.
Florence pointed at the settee closest to Francis’ bench, gesturing for me to take a seat. It would be pointless to argue with her, so I abided by her demands. She filled my glass with wine, and I thanked all the Gods that it wasn't blood.
Francis stole a few glances at me when the slow and mournful melody turned into a fast and joyful piece. Every time his eyes landed on me, my skin prickled against the tight fabric of my dress.
A few minutes passed before the flow of the piece came to an end; the last note lingered in the air, echoing throughout the ballroom. Francis spun on the bench, facing his small audience as everyone clapped—everyone but Roxanne, who theatrically rolled her eyes, fighting the smile off her face.
When the ovations quieted, Simon cleared his throat. “Cordelia,” he addressed me. “Please meet Ash, the blacksmith of Faris.” He pointed at the vampire sitting next to him. “They sometimes help me to run the Tavern and—”
“And they clearly have bad taste in men since they chose you as their companion,” Francis snickered, to which Simon slipped his shoe off, throwing it straight at Francis’ head. The room erupted in laughter.
“Hey! It’s my birthday, must I remind you.” Francis threw the shoe back at Simon.
Simon shook his head, catching it with one hand. “Ash makes the best caramel fudge, you should definitely come and try it,” he continued.
“It is nice to meet you, Ash,” I offered them my gloved hand. “I’m excited to try your caramel fudge,” I said through the growing ache in my heart.
“It is nice to meet you too.” They shook my hand, oblivious to my odd reaction over some dessert. Their hand was warm to the touch, save for all the rings they’d decorated their fingers with. A big red stone shone bright, illuminating with the candlelight; my eyes lingered on Ash’s ring, reminding me of a similar stone my mother used to wear.
“Do you like it?” Ash caught my gaze.
“It’s beautiful.” I nodded.
“Take it.” Ash slipped the ring off, handing it to me. At my hesitation they added, “I have at least a dozen in my collection, take it.” They slipped the ring onto my index finger over my silky glove.
“It suits you,” Florence chimed in.
The red stone sat heavy on my hand, the golden band wrapped around my finger as though it was made for me.
“Thank you,” I nodded at Ash.
“All right,” Francis finished his drink, setting an empty glass on the table. “I am ready for presents!”
“It’s not even midnight.” Roxanne shook her head. “You must wait until morning.”
“So what if it isn’t?” Francis shrugged. “My birthday—my rules.”
“Fine.” Roxanne reached for the wrapped rectangle underneath her settee, offering it to Francis. “HappyearlyBirthday.”
Francis beamed like a child, unfolding the pieces of parchment. Dimples, I’d never noticed before, decorated his bright smile. “Where did you find this?” Francis glanced at Roxanne when her present was freed from the parchment. She shrugged, fighting the smile off her face, though it was clear she was proud of her findings. “This is incredible.” Francis flipped through the pages of—what I guessed—was a collection of musical pieces. “This was the very first piano book my motherhad brought me to study. I never told you that.” Francis’ eyes narrowed on Roxanne.
Roxanne shrugged in reply. “A lucky guess, then.”
“My turn!” Florence jumped off her settee, rushing to retrieve her oddly shaped present that sat atop one of the tables usually used for the big gatherings.
“What in the Kingdom is that?” Francis’ brows furrowed, pulling on the black ribbon.
