It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.
“It’s so soft.” Kayla runs a finger over the fabric. “What is it?”
“It’s Faerie silk,” I say. “Like the bridesmaid dress I wore for Hannah’s wedding.”
Valena nods.
“Those dresses were so expensive Severin bought them for me and Autumn. Which means this one’s expensive, too.” I narrow my eyes at Kayla and point. “Did you and the rest of the Witch Bitches do this?”
“Not me.” She raises both hands. “I swear.”
I turn my gaze on the seamstress. “Then who?”
“My client has sworn me to silence. May I put the dress on you? We’re running out of time.”
I shouldn’t—I really,reallyshouldn’t—who the fudge takes super expensive presents from an unknown person? But the dress is gorgeous and perfect in exactly my size and style.
And my heart, my silly squishy jelly heart, whispers that it has to be Luke.
So I say, “Yes.”
The fae flicks her fingers, and magic washes over me, leaving me wearing the dress. And not just the dress. I run my hands down my sides. I have on new underwear too, with a full bustier by the feel of things. I even have on matching red shoes. I give a little twirl in front of the standing mirror, and the skirt lifts exactly as I expected.
This is a dress for dancing.
Valena flicks her fingers again, and another tingle of magic courses over me. In the shop mirror, I have new makeup and hair, with a bold red lip and a fancier do. Even my nails have been manicured to match the pink of the hearts painted on the silk. “The makeup will remain in place for eight hours.” She winks at me. “No smudging or mess, no matter what you do.”
“Perfect.” Shadow steps out of nowhere, grips my elbow, and holds a hand out to a frowning Kayla. “Please. It’s fast, and you won’t have to go out into the cold without a coat.”
“The only reason I’m without my coat is because of you!”
“So let me take you back.” His fingers curl in a come-hither gesture.
She hesitates for a couple more seconds before slapping her palm into his. “I’m only doing this for Skye.”
He steps backward, his grin seeming to hang in the air even as the rest of him disappears. Then he pulls us into the gray place for a couple of beats before we’re back at the dance. The werepanther drops our hands and lets out a whistle.
Jared waves from the DJ station, and the volume drops on Bruno Mars singing “Die with a Smile” right as another, much, much older song starts to play.
“Is that ‘Time of My Life’ fromDirty Dancing?” Kayla asks.
“Yes.” I know it by heart. How could I not? Especially after doing the dance routine so many times that last time Luke and I were sucked into the book.
The couples on the dance floor part, opening an aisle, and at the other end of it stands Luke. Tailored black slacks hug his long legs, and his crisp white dress shirt is a little too unbuttoned in that way that makes him utterly lickable. His golden eyes burn into mine, full of determination.
He’s not… this isn’t…
My brain stutters to a halt as my heart leaps around inside my chest, confused and flustered and so damnedhopefulI feel like I could die from it.
Luke glides forward on the balls of his feet. In seconds, his hands are on me, and we’re dancing—he’sdancing—in front of the whole town!
My body takes over, following his lead as we turn and spin and mambo. When he picks me up for the carousel spin, I whisper, “But you hate dancing.”
He grunts his yes grunt as he sets me on my feet and spins me away before reeling me back to him, to his arms, to his big body moving mine across the floor.
“You didn’t want anyone to know you were dancing,” I whisper-hiss, feeling the press of so many eyes upon us. Faces flash past, my aunts, the Witch Bitches, Shadow, the orc from the pub. Pixies swirl over our heads, mixing with the flying hearts and whistling high and excited.
“Youespeciallynever wanted anyone to see.”
