“Shut it, Bal.”
“enough. You’d think you were still children with the way you bicker. Happy birthday, daughter.”
She inclined her head at her father. “Thank you, papa.”
They took their seats at the table and Kyleigh dug into the meal. Conversation was light, and before the meal was over she received a gift from each member of her family.
As soon as she was able to get away, she went out to the garden where workers were quickly transforming it into a fairytale land. She could admit it was beautiful at least.
“What do you think, poppet?”
“I think, for an old woman, you are very light on your feet,” she replied.
“Old? Bite yer tongue, ye cheeky girl. Ye should rest while there’s time.”
“Perhaps I should. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night.”
As day turned to evening, Davina returned to her room to help Kyleigh get into the elaborate ballgown she would be wearing.
“Yer papa is bound to be livid when he sees this dress.”
Kyleigh had heard the same thing from the older phoenix several times. “Let him be. If I must endure a corset, complete with steel boning, making it not only difficult to breathe but also to sit, then I’m going to at least wear the colors I choose. Honestly, what was he thinking, demanding everyone where colors of red, orange, and yellow? Just because we’re phoenixes doesn’t mean we need to all be dressed alike!”
Her gown was gold crushed velvet with black trimming and she’d chosen a gold and black domino mask to match. The choker Nanny Davina had given her went perfectly with her ensemble.
“You look beautiful, poppet.”
Her hair was pulled back from her face with combs and hung down her back in a mass of curls. “Thank you, Nanny Davina. I suppose I should get to the garden. Our guests will be arriving soon.
“Aye, ye should.”
After making sure her mask was in place, she made her way downstairs, through the castle, and out into the garden. There were already more guests than she’d expected and the night was young.
Chapter 4
Lauchlan
Age Twenty-One
Lauchlan was training, yet again, when Conall entered the large room with a wicked grin on his face. “You’re up to something.”
“Oh, you know it, cousin. A little birdie told me that the Maclellan Clan is having a masked ball to celebrate the eighteenth birthday of their eldest daughter, a certain flame-haired lass you’ve been pining over for years.”
Lauchlan turned to face him, one brow cocked. “Seriously?”
“Would I joke about something like this? It seems the one stipulation for all party-goers is for them to wear costumes and masks of red, orange, and yellow. No doubt to show off their phoenix side. You know, I still don’t get why our family hates them so much, but...this could be your chance to see her again. What do you say, Lock?”
“I say we’re going shopping.”
One would think it would be difficult to sneak into a party filled with phoenix shifters, if you weren’t a phoenix yourself. Normally it would but the MacLellan’s had invited more than just their own people to the party, which made it much easier for Lauchlan and his cousin to slip in unnoticed.
He moved around the edge of the crowd, gaze searching for Kyleigh MacLellan. How would he know when he saw her? The deep flame red hair. He’d never seen anyone else with hair quite the color of hers.
His gaze fell on a woman wearing...gold and black? A laugh escaped him when he saw the curls hanging down her back. Of course she would choose something different to stand out. From what little he knew of Kyleigh MacLellan, she wasn’t the type to conform to what was expected of her.
He watched as she took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter before he slowly made his way to her side.
“Quite a bold statement, choosing to wear black and gold instead of the colors Niall MacLellan required of all guests.”
