Magnolia exhaled sharply, the initial surprise melting into something more contemplative. “These are powerful,” she murmured, turning them over slowly in her palms. “Strong enough to hold the glamour you’re asking for.” She cast a shrewd glance at Sin. “Why these? Surely there are safer objects to enchant?”
Sin’s throat tightened. “If it is a night worth dying for, then I shall embrace it until the sun rises.”
Magnolia’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of suspicion quickly replaced by calculation. Sin watched the gears turning behind her gaze, a silent decision forming in Magnolia’s mind.
Finally, Magnolia nodded. “All right. I’ll help you. But it might take a while. Why don’t you sit and rest your heart for a moment?”
Sin nodded, taking a seat at her crafting table while Magnolia gathered items.
The air thickened with the scent of herbs and magic. Sin assisted, handing Magnolia the ingredients as she muttered incantations in Vhaevari. The room seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow, and a sharp tingle ran across Sin’s skin.
Magnolia handed the stilettos back, her eyes glinting with a mysterious light. Sin took a breath and slipped them on. The moment her feet settled inside, the stilettos began to hum, asoft, resonant vibration that seemed to sync with her heartbeat. Instantly, all the pain from her torture vanished, replaced by a rush of relief so profound it brought tears to her eyes. The magic surged over her skin, cool and electric, erasing every imperfection as it passed.
Sin stepped toward the mirror, barely recognizing the figure that stared back at her. The magic coursed through her, and she watched, wide-eyed, as the scars on her body faded into smooth, unblemished skin. The runes glowed against her skin until fading away. Threads of silvery light wrapped around her, weaving into a tangible dress that shimmered like a blade—beautiful and lethal. Now, she felt like a glorious piece of artwork.
She nodded at herself in the mirror, silently telling herself that tonight would be the night.
Even if tomorrow comes and reality kicks in, forcing her back into the shithole she called her life. Tonight, she would feel the skin of someone else against hers.
“Take my horse; it will get you there faster,” Magnolia said, her voice laced with finality. Her fingers lingered on the doorframe, eyes flicking to Sin one last time, as if committing her to memory.
Sin took a step toward the door, pausing for a moment. This was her chance—her only chance to escape the chains of her past. “Thank you, Magnolia,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Magnolia’s eyes softened for just a heartbeat before she turned away, busying herself with clearing the remnants of the spell.
Sin glanced back one last time, taking in the glow of the cottage that had given her hope. The weight of anticipation pressed down on her, mingling with the exhilaration racing through her veins. With a deep breath, she stepped out intothe cool night air. The silence was heavy, broken only by the rhythmic thudding of her heart.
Determination solidified within her as she climbed onto the witch’s horse, its sleek coat gleaming under the moonlight. The creature snorted, sensing her urgency, and with a light press of her heels, they surged forward.
The wind whipped past her face, carrying the scent of the forest and the faintest trace of lavender from Magnolia’s spellwork. Sin’s pulse quickened. The dark canopy of trees finally gave way to the clearer path—the path that led straight to the palace. Each stride of the horse brought her closer to the moment she had dreamed of, the promise of freedom and a new beginning.
But even as she neared her destination, the sensation of being watched lingered, a shadow that refused to let her go. Without waiting another moment, Sin stepped out into the cool night air, her mind spinning.
Every step through the woods felt heavier, as if the weight of the decision she’d made was bearing down on her more and more. The darkness pressed in from all sides. The trees stretched upward like skeletal hands clawing at the sky. She couldn’t shake the feeling of being followed. The forest’s skeletal branches reached skyward, twisted like gnarled fingers clawing at the stars, casting long, jagged shadows that seemed to shift as she moved.
Something—someone—was out there.
She glanced over her shoulder, but saw nothing. The forest was too quiet—the only sound was the horse’s rapid footsteps crunching the leaves beneath her. The sensation of unseen eyes on her skin prickled with every passing moment.
Sin urged the horse to go faster, the powerful animal responding with a burst of speed that sent the trees blurring past. The air was thick, heavy, clinging to her like a second skin.Her breath came in ragged gasps. She couldn’t let fear consume her—not now. She steeled herself, clenching the reins tighter.
The ball was within reach.
Finally, the trees began to thin, and the distant lights of the palace appeared through the fog. Magnolia’s horse slowed its pace, Sin’s pulse still racing, her body trembling from both exhaustion and anticipation.
As she emerged from the forest, her heart skipped a beat. The ball was waiting for her. Her future, for better or worse, was there—inside that palace.
Sin
Sin approached the grand castle, its imposing gates opening as if welcoming royalty. Her sharp, steel-colored gown shimmered under the moonlight, catching the eye of every guard. Whispers followed in her wake, subtle shifts in posture and exchanged glances, but none dared to question her presence.
Stepping inside, Sin was met with an intoxicating blend of smoke, sex, and a faint metallic tang she couldn’t place. The deep bass of the music thrummed in her chest, a heartbeat outside her own, matching the erratic flutter of anticipation coursing through her veins. This was not the elegant ballroom from childhood stories—this was raw, untamed chaos. Couples intertwined, skirts lifted and pants unbuttoned, grinding together with reckless abandon under the glow of crimson silks and deep onyx shadows. The decadent, almost sinister hue painted the scene with an air of luxurious danger.
Two men were tied together with glowing, magical ropes that flickered like fire but didn’t burn. Same-sex couples moved freely, their smiles open and unapologetic. Sin’s lips curled into a small smile; this was where she belonged, where wildness reigned supreme. Almost… home. The sharpness in her smile masked the years of longing, the nights spent imagining such abandon but never tasting it.
A sudden jolt of awareness zipped through her chest, an electric prickle that made her pause mid-step. Her eyes roved over the mass of bodies, searching for the source. It happened again, sharper this time. She glanced at her glass, wondering if the drink had an immediate effect, but then she saw him—through the crowd, over the rim of her glass.
He stood tall, auburn hair catching the dim light, emerald eyes glowing like a serpent’s, pinning her in place. His presence made the air thrum with a dark energy. Women clamored for his attention, but he had eyes only for her. Sin’s breath quickened, her face heating under his intense gaze.
Before she could fully process it, a group of attractive men and women surrounded her, their smiles predatory and inviting. Hands reached for hers, pulling her onto the dance floor. She surrendered to the thrumming beat, reveling in the attention and the hands that roamed over her body. Lips pressed close to hers, fingers traced her waist, her spine.She let herself be passed from one partner to the next, dizzy with the thrill.
