“You have a rather dark outlook on things,” Sera said, amused by Cordelia’s candor and antics. Cordelia took another drink.
“I come by it honestly. I’m sure you’ve heard of Yarrow Graves?”
“Only recently. Some corrupt alderman that murdered a bunch of people.”
Cordelia pointed at herself, grin taking on a darker glint. “My fiancé, once upon a time. I had to dance with that man. Twice.” She shivered and took a longer pull of her drink.
“No!”
“Oh, yes. A month ago, I was the human turning heads because her fiancé was a Night Fae. The great example of progressive matrimony.” Cordelia made a crude noise through her lips, making her opinion on the subject apparent.
Sera opened her mouth to correct the assumption, Kieran was not her fiancé, but closed it before any denial escaped her. She didn’t mind the misunderstanding of her relationship nearly as much as she should have.
“But then that fell through, obviously, given that he’s dead and, oh, a murderer.”
Sera answered with a laugh, and Cordelia was perfectly content to keep talking with minimal encouragement. It was rather charming.
“Oh, and that sister I mentioned? Always the favorite, always the popular one because she’s aguardian.” Cordelia wrinkled her nose, “Well, I am finally out of her shadow! Everyone knows Cordelia now! Cause who can forget about the girl who almost married a traitor, was kidnapped by said traitor, and who exposed all his dirty secrets. It’s been a real treat.” Cordelia downed the rest of the glass, staring up into the bottom when the last drops reached her. She brought her head back down, frown more pronounced.
“I can relate more than you know. My brother is a guardian, but I’m not. Neither of us were popular, exactly, but Gideon got to attend special schools and had better opportunities because of it. I was always a bit jealous he had a reason to leave when I had to stay home.”
“I love my sister, truly, but sometimes I wish she was human, too. Though, not likely considering both our parents are guardians as well. Speaking of, please let me know if you see a woman wearing blue with my hair coloring. And I kindly request that you not give me away. If asked this conversation never took place and you’ve never seen me before in your life.”
“Understood. Are we referring to your mother?”
“Yes. And she’ll likely have suitors in tow so that I can find the same happiness as my treacherous sister. Miranda’s already a guardian with everyone fawning over her ‘training’ and ‘abilities’ but did she really need toalsofind a love match that spurs our mother to search all the harder for my ‘happy ending’ as she puts it?” Cordelia sighed, cheeks growing flushed. “Sorry. I’ve been sneaking more sips of punch than mother would approve. I’m not normally this chatty with strangers.”
“I don’t mind. I understand the pressures of having a special sibling, while I, mere human, am a constant disappointment.”
“Exactly! So maybe I can’t lift twice my body weight like it was nothing, that doesn’t mean I’m not capable of other things. I mean, has anyone ever asked what I like to do?”
“What do you like to do?”
Cordelia rounded on Sera, her sudden grin overpowering the frown as mischief danced in her eyes.
“I am so glad you asked! Presently, I’ve been following the exploits of this vigilante in the paper. I’m obsessed. A woman going around and stopping crimes on her own terms. The dream, I must say.”
“I’m sure it would be, if I were a guardian too.”
“She’s a guardian?” Cordelia’s eyes snapped to Sera’s. “When did you learn that? No one has been able to figure out what race she is, though there are guesses.”
“She wore a guardian uniform, so I simply assumed. And it would be difficult to imagine a human could best so many criminals and evade capture with such ease.”
Cordelia’s grin grew impossibly brighter. “You’re probably right, of course, but I can’t help but hope that she’s human. If only because it would mean that maybe I don’t have to settle for ballrooms and—”
“Cordelia!” A woman called the name while weaving through the courtiers.
“Ah shit.” Cordelia blocked her face with her hands. “You never saw me,” Cordelia whispered through her teeth, before disappearing into the crowd.
“Cord—oh.” A lovely woman who looked enough like Cordelia that Sera would know their relation without being told, stopped in front of her. “Now where did she run off to?” She overlooked Sera and continued her search.
At least now Sera didn’t feel so ostracized. While worlds apart, Cordelia and herself shared more similarities than she thought possible. Sera’s attention returned to the dancers, the barest whisper of longing filling her heart.
One glaring difference in their situations, Sera had never learned the steps required to dance. She feared that was one element of this fantasy she’d have to forgo, if she didn’t want to make a fool of herself in front of everyone.
“Evening.” A man stepped beside her, smiling as she jolted. “Apologies, I did not wish to startle you. I would have waited for a proper introduction, but I sensed you don’t have many acquaintances here.”
Sera stiffened. “Why would you assume that?”
