Amelia lifted a brow. “Good luck with that.”
“Hence the reason I said try,” I commented. “Are you escorting me down once I’m ready?”
“Yes, so hurry up,” she said. “I don’t have hours to wait while you preen.”
Thankfully I’d showered and done my hair, so the last thing I needed to do was put on the suit. I didn’t bother to close the door on Amelia, simply swept into the private bathroom and shut myself in there. The air grew thick with residual steam, but I made quick work of peeling my clothes off and then slipping into the slacks and pressed button-down before wrangling the suit jacket on. The bow tie was last, and I stood in front of the mirror as I tied it in place.
Upon first glance, the tux had looked a bit too flashy for my taste, but it was more of a brown with burnished gold accentsthat caught the eye. It fit me as well as I’d hoped, the material comfortable, same with the way it clung to my body. My golden curls stood out even more in this suit, and the color made my blue eyes pop. I took the time to smooth down the fabric and tweak my curls, but all too soon, I was ready.
The person in front of me looked so different from the one who’d arrived in the Spires. I stood taller now, despite the danger I faced. I’d never liked my nose—found it a little too arrogant—but it fit me now in an unexpected way. I’d seen from Cillian that arrogance could be a weapon wielded in the right circles.
And tonight, I’d need everything in my arsenal.
I took a shaky breath in and then slipped on the socks and deep brown leather lace-ups provided. All of it offered armor tonight, especially if Olivia or Thorin were in the mix.
But I’d have the best protection in the world, because I’d be by Cillian’s side the entire time.
When I emerged from the bathroom, Amelia let out a low whistle. “Not my type, but you’re far too pretty, Beau Taylor.”
I flushed. Amelia didn’t give praise freely, so I’d accept the compliment from her.
“Let’s get going,” she said. “Cillian’s waiting downstairs.”
My heart thudded hard. I’d been busy helping with preparations, so now that the event was underway already, I’d be entering at the same time the other attendees were. Casinos from all over the world, not just Peregrine City, were congregating here tonight, bringing in their best dealers, their CEOs, their heads of marketing. We headed down the hallway and toward the elevator. The conference had been happening all day, but the gala was tonight, providing all the glitz Peregrine City had to offer, which was what everyone waited for.
We stepped onto the elevator, and Amelia pushed the second-floor button.
“Here,” she said, passing me an elegant gold bracelet. “Put this on.”
“What is it, a tracking device?” I joked.
Amelia gave me a level look back.
I slipped it onto my wrist. “Electronic or spelled?”
“Spelled by yours truly,” she said, cracking me a grin. “With Thorin lurking down there, we aren’t taking any chances.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, rubbing a thumb over the smooth surface. When I’d first arrived here, this would’ve felt like a shackle, but after experiencing the genuine threat of Thorin Glass and Glacier Industries, I’d rather Cillian be able to find me—no matter what.
Somehow, he’d become a safe place.
The elevator settled on the second floor, and the doors swept open.
“Come on,” Amelia said. “Cillian’s in the ballroom.”
My throat dried as we swept through the second floor, which was already lavish and meticulously maintained. Now, even more delicate touches elevated it, from fresh bouquets of pink roses and sprays of assorted white flowers to the sweeping classical music that poured from the speakers. The closest I’d been to anything like this was a wedding, but my father and I hadn’t been invited to many of those while I was growing up.
The chandeliers in the main area glittered, casting fragmented reflections onto the ground. Many people wandered by, in lavish dresses of every shade and tailored tuxes in browns and blacks. The beauty and wealth dripping off the people around me was unparalleled, but I’d spent a lifetime looking beyond the surface. I grew aware of the tight smiles, the lack of emotion in their eyes, as the guests engaged with each other. I was also aware of the variety of species represented here, a fair number of monsters among the throngs of people, from minotaurs to kraken, allequally well dressed. I didn’t doubt a human-held event would have extended significantly fewer invitations to monsterkind.
As we headed closer to the ballroom, the noise grew louder from the volume of people sure to be congregating there. Sweat broke out on my palms. Who was I to be attending at Cillian’s side? A random librarian who happened to be his personal assistant?
“Stay safe,” Amelia murmured. “Don’t leave Cillian.”
I swallowed hard. “I won’t.”
I was here to avoid becoming a target or distraction, not because Cillian wanted to claim me as his in front of the city. As much as I’d begun to desire that, I needed to stay grounded.
We stepped through the doors into the magnificent ballroom of the Spires. The room was massive and held a dark elegance I expected from Cillian at this point. Black-and-white crystal chandeliers dangled down, casting their stunning beams and shadows onto the polished gray surface of the dance floor. The seats surrounding it were all black with rich blue accents, and the curtains were the same hue of blue. Azure flowers with lush petals decorated every table, matching the rest of the décor, and the flickering candles on every one added to the unique lighting in here.
