Brietta and I entered the Darkest Night at the same time. Music with a low, pulsing beat echoed around us. Women who wore nothing but ribbons danced in the air using swaths of silk that hung from the ceiling. Masks of dogs, horses, and birds peeked out amongst the flashes of scant fabric.
Refreshment tables lined the edges of the room, holding silver platters that spilled over with clusters of Pebblebrooke’s finest grapes and small stacks of cheeses from Amberfield. Not a couch or a bed in sight—the partygoers would have to rut like animals somewhere more private.
Brietta was a glorious vision in her shimmering gold dress and peacock feathers, showing off most of her breasts and nearly her entire left leg. Her mask was blue and had a delicate golden beak over her small nose.
We both held glass goblets of maiden wine. If anyone slipped a potion in our cups when we were not looking, the crystal clear wine would reveal the trick before we took an unknowing sip.
Her lips that gleamed with a purple stain turned up into a smile. “Ready to make some choices?”
“You know exactly why I am here.” I folded my arm across my chest, covering up as much of myself as possible.
As careful as I was to stay inconspicuous, Brietta strutted about the room, beaming as everyone’s eyes roamed over her gilded bosom. She was the feature of the party, I was just the virginal guardian at her side.
But where was Derrick?
My eyes wandered from Brietta to the crowd, watching the throngs of people mix with one another. No one was doing anything normal society would consider dancing—just a fluid motion of limbs and hips in time with the heavy beat.
In the center of the crowd, a lithe girl in green was being doted on by nearby eyes and hands. She had leaves painted on her limbs and pink petals over her breasts, her golden waves shining as she danced…oh, it wasCamille.
My classmate who had turned red as amaranth after mere mention of physical intimacy worenothingbut a sheer pink skirt over her hips.
I tore my eyes away as my cheeks grew hot beneath my mask. A sealed blood bond had burned all her shyness away, apparently.
“Of the many peacocks I have seen, this one is the most splendid. Would you agree, Myles?”
Brietta and I turned around to find two men—one wore a fishnet over his chest and hips and the other had fluffed up his red hair to resemble a lion’s mane.
“I would agree, Gerond,” said the lion, who was clearly Myles. “Especially paired with the lovely night sky.” His eyes slid over to me. “What are we even supposed to call you now that your marriage suddenly dissolved? Miss Hyton?”
I took a step back. “Must you defeat the point of the masks?”
Gerond rolled his eyes behind his fish scale mask. “Must you be an obvious virgin?”
I was about to call him an asshole when Brietta let out a velvety laugh. “Are you just frustrated because your little wife is getting more attention than you are?”
Gerond smirked. “Camille can have her fun. My concern is my quarrel with Myles.”
Myles tossed Gerond a sly look. “We were arguing over who would approach you first, Lady Hyton. We figured whoever you did not choose would get a foray with stardust over there, but she is clearly in a poor mood.”
My cheeks went hot. “As if I wouldeverconsider—”
“Why should I choose?” Brietta asked wryly. “Should the future Duchess not get everything she desires?”
I could not believe what I was hearing, but then I looked up at Brietta. Her shoulders were back, her head was higher than the men’s, and her wry smile was genuine. I had seen her enrapture a lecture hall full of girls with her poetry before, and this was no different.
I looked over at Gerond and Myles, whose eyes stayed locked on her as if her curvaceous body draped in gold was poetry of its own allure.
Brietta was letting them see her exactly as she wanted to be seen. For once, she had control.
She just needed some encouragement to finallytake it.
I smiled. “I think that is a splendid idea, Brietta.”
Myles pounced on the opportunity. “A few benches in the garden are unoccupied.”
Gerond stepped in front of Myles. “Better hurry, a prime spot is sure to get taken soon.”
Brietta’s peacock mask hid her expression, but concern still lined her voice as she turned to me. “But Derrick is still not here. I cannot leave you—”
