‘Wow.’ Jonas steps forward and takes my arm. ‘You look … wow …’
A slight tinge colours my cheeks as I remember Llinos’s drug-induced comment about how he’d feel about my dress, but judging from the way he’s looking at me, she wasn’t wrong.
‘Llin’s the seamstress so deserves the credit,’ I deflect uncomfortably. ‘She’s phenomenal.’
‘Right …’ Jonas replies, as if he can’t manage more than one syllable.
Silence threatens to sweep in around us, but before it can, I’m slammed into from the side.
‘What took you so long?’
The instant I get my breath back, it’s stolen again. Kay. Looking more beautiful and full of life than I ever thought possible. My lungs tremble with joy and tears fall as I pull her as close to me as possible, and when I finally move back, it’s only so I can see her more clearly.
We’re still by the door, the cold wind whipping in from outside, and yet I barely feel it. Instead, I’m completely consumed with taking in every part of her the way I should have done in the forest. Her hair in my hands, her face cupped in my palms…
It’s only been six weeks or so, but she’s changed. Filled out. She looks healthy. The healthiest I’ve ever seen her.
‘Thank the Gods,’ I breathe, going in for another hug.
‘It’s okay. You can let go of me now.’ She grins. ‘Just till we get somewhere warmer. I’m freezing! Artur keeps his home so warm that the slightest chill gets to me now. It’s mad how quickly you can get used to luxury.’ Her eyes are a little haunted by her own comment. She may be getting used to luxury, but she hasn’t forgotten the slums. I doubt either of us ever will.
‘Artur’s taking good care of you?’ I ask, still not ready to let go of her yet.
‘He is. Don’t look so worried. It’s been incredible, really. But I want to know about you. Tell me about the jötnar.’
‘It was a team effort, really.’ The comment reminds me to turn to my side. ‘Llinos, this is my sister, Kay. Kay, Llinos. Jonas, you’ve met, right?’
‘We have.’ She smiles at Jonas. ‘I’m so grateful for all the kindness your family has shown me.’
‘It’s been our honour. I’m afraid I can’t stay and chat though. I need to go and talk to my father.’ He shifts his gaze to me. ‘But perhaps we can share a dance later, Rose?’
‘Of course.’ I smile.
He leans in, and for a second, I panic. He’s not going to kiss me here in front of Kay, is he? I turn my head to the side, planning to peck him on the cheek, only for him to do the same, and our lips land against one another in a clumsy kiss.
‘See you later,’ he says with a surprised grin.
Meanwhile, I fight a grimace.
‘Oh, good Gods!’ Kay hisses, pulling me towards her the second he’s out of earshot. ‘Are you and Jonas a thing? Will was telling me how Jonas told him that?—’
‘No, we are not a thing.’
‘They totally are,’ Llinos replies, leaning towards us with an impish grin.
Kay’s smile is so broad I can practically feel the joy radiating from her. ‘I need you to fill me in on everything. Although can we please get away from the door? As I said, it’s freezing. And I want to dance.’
I follow her into the ballroom, barely even looking at the show-stopping chandelier, the black and red roses that decorate the place, or the platters of food and drink. All my attention is on Kay and the way shemoves so effortlessly through the room, as if she was born to be here. The irony is not lost on me.
‘William has had to undertake some errands for Artur today, but you’ve already met him, right?’ Kay asks. ‘In some ways, I’m actually glad he’s not here. He’s been trying to teach me to dance, but honestly, he’s terrible. You’d think he was the one who had never attended these things before, rather than me.’ She stops to look at me. ‘Don’t tell him I said that though, will you?’
‘No, of course not.’ I can’t stop the grin that’s raising my cheeks. This loquacious version of my sister, so confident, so at home … it’s a wonder to see. It’s what I’ve dreamed of.
A waiter walks past and Llinos offers the drinks a longing look.
‘Next time,’ I tell her firmly. ‘You can drink next time.’
‘Just a little one?’ she asks wistfully, reaching out.
