Blair’s dressed in a shimmering silver gown with a crystal-encrusted belt and a full skirt. Her hair’s pinned up and her olive skin looks golden under the lights.
Her face breaks into a wide smile. “I wanted to talk to you earlier, but you were too busy with your fiancé.”
I feel a blush creeping across my chest. “Yes, sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Drink it in.” She scans the crowd. “He’s watching you right now.”
My gaze darts from her and dances along the revelers. There, standing in a throng of lords, is Feylin. He’s casually looking at me, shooting me a small smile. I smile back before turning to Blair.
She smooths her skirt. “I was worried about you. I’m notgoing to lie. This whole magic thing that’s between the two of y’all had me concerned. You’d just broken up with Edward, and I knew you weren’t thinking straight, yada, yada, yada.”
“I wasn’t then.”But I am now.
“I knew it,” she says as if answering a question in her mind. “So when this magic thing happened, I begged Mama to let me stay with you, here, in this castle, but she said no.”
My jaw drops as my gaze lands on our mother, who’s dancing with my father. He’s sweeping her across the ballroom floor, his mouth to her ear.
“Why’d she say no?”
“Because it wasn’t my place to intervene. I tried to argue, but in the end I agreed.” My sister slowly drags her gaze from the crowd and pins it on me. “And now I realize that she was right to let you come by yourself.”
I frown, and a little divot wrinkles between my brows. “Why’s that?”
“Because it’s so obvious how you feel about each other. He’s crazy about you, Addie, and you’re obviously over the moon for him. If I’d come here, that wouldn’t have happened. Your relationship wouldn’t have flourished.”
I nudge her elbow playfully. “Does this mean younger sister approves?”
She rolls her eyes. “Yes, it does. I approve.”
My heart expands like the Grinch’s when it grows three sizes. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”
“I’m just happy that you’re happy.”
“Happy Solstice, Blair. Happy Solstice, Addison.”
Devlin Ross stands to our right. He’s wearing a white tuxedo with a white bow tie. Of course he is. For Devlin, a black tuxedo would be too…pedestrian, is the only way that I can think to explain it.
“Happy Solstice,” I say. When Blair doesn’t return the sentiment, I lightly kick her.
She scoffs. “Happy Solstice. Where’s your date? Or have you brought a gaggle of groupies?”
He wags a finger, chastising her. “Now, now. I am capable of attending an event by myself.” He smooths a hand over his brown hair. “And where’s yours?”
“I don’t have one.”
His eyes sparkle. “Perhaps we should be each other’s dates.”
“I’d rather stick a fork in my eye.”
“Oh, come on now. I’m not that bad, Blair Thornrose. I’m the perfect gentleman. Ask any of the women I’ve dated.”
“No, thank you.”
But Devlin’s not taking no for an answer. He extends his hand. “Solstice etiquette demands that when you’re asked to dance, a lady must say yes; otherwise it’s bad luck.”
Devlin has her. He’s right. Blair has to say yes. She inhales deeply and shakes her head. “There are so many reasons why this is wrong.”
“Not the least of which is the fact that I knew I’d eventually get my dance.”
