After a full day of party preparation, I’m too worn out to worry about the wards or the socializing I’m about to do. It took a huge team of people and a solid ten hours of hard labor, but finally, I take in the completed sight.
I have to hand it to her. Rosie can throw together a party.
The clearing has a few trees interspersed through the grassy field, and Rosie had huge flowers enchanted to float between them, each glowing a different color. Along the right, long tables stretch on for ages, though they haven’t been stocked with food just yet.
Beyond the buffet table, tall wooden tables dot the field, leaving room for mingling and snacking. To the left, Rosie has enchanted part of the field to look like a skating rink, only it isn’t slippery. The area is large, which allows for dancing as the night goes on. Small lights dance below the ice’s surface.
The effect is magical.
Rosie spots Arianna and I taking in the scenery and flies towards us. Her pink wings twitch, even once she’s touched the ground. “What are you two still doing here? The party starts in two hours. You should be getting ready,” she scolds us.
Arianna raises a brow. “Rosie, sweetie, shouldn’t you be doing the same?”
I can’t help but nod in response. Rosie has gone hard all day. If anyone deserves a break, it’s her.
Rosie gives us both an exasperated look. “Don’t be ridiculous, both of you. I’m a fairy. I don’t need time to get ready. I glamor.”
With that, she twirls, and her leggings and backless tank are replaced by an elegant, pink, open-backed dress. It tapers to a V on one of her calves, and her hair is now pinned up in a French chignon.
I gape.
Arianna rolls her eyes. “Show off. You look amazing, Rosie.”
“Are you sure you don’t need more help here?” I ask.
Rosie’s wings twitch again as she starts gently pushing us away. “No, no. I’m fine. Arianna, make sure Vivian looks the part. I apparated your things up to your room earlier today.”
I pause, but Rosie snaps, “Now!”
That does the trick. Arianna grabs my arm, and we apparate away.
We land back in the hallway in front of my room. Arianna points to my door. “Go shower, and I’ll help you with your hair afterward.”
Planting a hand on my hip, I raise a brow at her. “You’re getting way too comfortable bossing me around. You do remember I’m older than you, right?”
Arianna bursts out laughing. “Vivian – I’ve been alive this entire time you were doing whatever before being reincarnated. You’re just confused because I’m aging better than you.”
I gasp and try to pinch her arm, but Arianna just jumps away laughing, heading down the corridor to her room.
I huff, deciding I’ll get her back later, and head into my room.
It’s strange feeling so comfortable with people so quickly.
Maybe it’s because of the looming threat of death by the Council. Trauma bonding sounds likely. Still, it’s nice to feel like I belong here.
The thought shakes me.
I don’t belong here.
No matter how much this room feels like home, and the others are starting to feel like family, this isn’t my realm. I need to focus on making sure my friends back home are okay.
The guilt stabs at me, and I try to stamp it down. Being in the Shadow Realm and building trust with the people here, it’s all working toward a common goal.
Peace.
And if I want peace, then I need to perform tonight.
With that thought, I head to the bathroom, washing off all the sweat and dust that accumulated on me today. The wine cellars looked like they were part of a haunted house, with all the cobwebs and dust. I’m pretty sure I’m wearing half the cobwebs in my hair right now.
