All week I’ve been telling him my worries about how everyone will react. What will they think about letting women become Raven Hands? Will there be anarchy, an uprising, a rebellion? Valdemar hasn’t belittled me by telling me not to worry about such things or that everything will be fine, because he knows as well as I do that things might not be fine, and that might be something we have to work through, but we’ll work through it together. There’s bound to be resistance from a group of men who’ve been together for years, some of whom cling to tradition, but there’ll also be those who welcome it, who’ve been waiting for change and will embrace it with open arms. Those are the people who will support us.
I can’t let myself think about their reaction to the fact that I’ve taken the Blood Oath with the man who they believe killed my brother. The discussion about sharing this little titbit with the rest of the Raven Hands was short-lived. Although Valdemar is unable to tell the truth about what happened that night, I am not. But he’s stressed how dangerous it would be to let that information roam free. He said it was bad enough that I know, but at least he knows he can keep me safe. He will not endanger any other Ravens or put them in harm’s way. Adolphe Fortunato has kept his distance for the past ten years knowing that Valdemar, Jupiter, and Jacinta have been unable to reveal the truth about what really happened the night Ed died, and Valdemar doesn’t want to give Fortunato any reason to aim his sights at the Raven Hands.
After putting on my heels, I reach for my dress hanging on the side of the mirror when his voice arrives.
“Where are you, angel?”
“I’m still getting ready in the dressing room.”
Although I don’t officially live here, I’ve spent more time at Corvus House than I care to admit. I feel a pull to this place, and it’s not just to do with Valdemar; it’s more than that. It’sknowing my mother was here, that she fell in love here and made beautiful memories in this mansion. There’s so much history and emotion binding me to Corvus House that I find it hard to leave when it’s time to go back to my apartment. I’m not sure who I’m kidding when I tell Valdemar it’s too soon for us to be living together. He insists that the leader of the Raven Hands has always resided in Corvus House, and so my rightful place is here with him. And given that I want to be here more than I’ve wanted to be anywhere, I know he’ll get his wish soon enough.
My mother still visits me—and my father, Ellison Rue. They’ll appear in my apartment or occasionally at Corvus House, always together and always looking blissfully happy. But the visits aren’t as frequent as before I swore the Blood Oath to Valdemar. It’s almost as if my mother knows I’m happy, that I’ve found my way in the world of the living and have no need to be hiding amongst the dead.
“Where are you?”I ask him.
“I’m in the Great Hall.”There’s a silent beat, and I sense the change in his voice before I even hear it. “Tell me what you can see.”
My smile spreads as I stare at my reflection.
“I’m standing in front of the mirror.”
“And?”
“And my hair and make-up are done.”I glance at my freshly curled hair and smoky eyeliner.
“And?”he presses.
“My underwear is on.”
I hear him tut down the bond.“Shame.”
“I was just about to put my dress on,”I tell him.
“I’d rather you took your underwear off.”Even in my head, his voice is commanding, roguish, and unrelenting.
“But I’ve just put it on,”I argue.
“Don’t complain. It’ll be worth it. Now do as I say.”
I take the bra off first, my nipples already hard at the thought of where this is going. Then I pull my knickers down and kick them to the side.
“Are you naked, angel?”
“Yes.”
“I’m so fucking annoyed that I can’t see you right now.”
I smirk, the thought of him squirming making me even more aroused.
“You’ll just have to use your imagination.”
“Oh, I am, angel. I’m imagining you right now, standing in front of that mirror, looking at your naked skin, running your hands over your breasts.”
“I’m not touching my breasts.”The thought alone embarrasses me.
“Don’t ruin my fun.”
Licking my lips, I imagine him in the Great Hall, directing the staff, setting up the stage, all the while picturing me naked.
