My first dance. My first real boyfriend. My first date.
EIGHTEEN
Avis had come through. I was currently wearing a coral-pink satin gown that fit like a glove. The corset at the top had a lace overlay in the same color with a flower pattern and the skirt hugged my hips and thighs before belling out at the knee. I had matching gloves that were elbow length, and the best part was a hooded satin jacket in light teal that popped against the coral. The jacket went to the elbow just over the gloves. With my hair in a bun and the hood up, it would take something intentional for anyone to touch me. I felt invincible. The drama from today’s possible assassination on the queen had died down and now everyone was just ready to get to the dance and have fun. The rest of the midterms had been postponed until next week, pending investigation.
“Oh, honey,” my dad croaked from the doorway. “You look beautiful.”
I grinned, because Ifeltbeautiful. Growing up in Isariah, we never bought frivolous items. Everything was practical. Clothes were for working and daily life. Other than your wedding day, nothing was specially made and even then, wedding dresses were handed down through families. Seeing myself, covered from my curse but beautifully so, I felt pretty—no,gorgeous, for the first time in a long time. My entire life I’d just wanted to be normal, and I had to admit since moving to The Gilded City, I was starting to feel how other teenage girls my age must feel. I’d borrowed makeup from Eden and had put some thick charcoal around my eyes, with a sheer gloss on my lips.
There was a knock at the front door.
“Ayden’s early!” I said, rushing to get my gloves on.
Dad nodded. “I’ll entertain him.”
My window was cracked open and Yanric flew inside without having to turn himself to shadows and go through the wall like he normally did. ‘It’s not Ayden. It’s Eden and she’s crying,’Yanric said.
Oh no.My stomach dropped as I slipped my gloves on and rushed to the living room where my dad was staring at a sobbing Eden.
He looked at me, panicked. “She won’t say what’s wrong.”
“E, do you want to go to my room?” I beckoned her. She looked beautiful in an emerald-green dress, with her curly red hair expertly styled.
She looked up at me with black makeup streaking down her face. “Oh, Fallon, you look incredible.” She then fell into more sobs.
I glanced at my dad, widening my eyes, and he nodded, taking the hint and leaving the room to go back into his own.
“What happened?” I asked.
Eden plopped on the couch and rubbed her cheeks.
‘And who do I need to kill?’ Yanric flew to her shoulder and nuzzled her neck. She reached up and stroked his feathers, taking in a deep breath.
“Hayes canceled on me last minute. Said he has to go with Blair because his dad made him.”
I gasped. “What? That bastard.”
Yanric flew from the room, and I shouted for him to stop, but he’d already turned to black smoke and sailed through the wall before I could speak.
‘Don’t kill him,’I ordered.
‘I’ll just take his eyes,’Yanric said.
‘No!’
‘One eye.’
‘No eyes,’I growled.
‘Fine, but I’m pooping on his head.’
I nodded, feeling calmer. ‘Okay I’ll allow that.’
Eden looked up at me, tears swimming in her eyes. “He said Ariyon dumped Blair and Blair asked him and now he has to ‘play his cards right’ with his dad since she’s a royal. If he says no, his dad looks bad.”
“Asshole!” I pounded my fist into the couch but also couldn’t help my stomach fluttering at the news of Ariyon dumping Blair.
Stupid stomach.
