He sagged against me, and I supported him as best Icould.
“Alright everyone,” our Head Instructor called out as she moved to the center of the floor. She wiped sweat and dirt and blood from her forehead and dropped her sword to the ground where it clattered, a steely echo in the sudden quiet of the hall. “I think it’s best if everyone returns to their apartments for the rest of the evening. You’ll be escorted there by your instructors who will stand guard, just in case more of the creatures try toattack.”
Frightened whispered shuddered through thecrowd.
“We’ll have extra guards patrol the grounds tonight, and all nights going forward until we can be sure the threat is gone,” she continued. “They had the element of surprise on their side tonight. They won’t have that again. Unfortunately, I’m afraid this means we won’t be able to go ahead with the ball tomorrownight.”
“That’s not an option.” One of the Autumn Royals stepped up to our Head Instructor’s side and gave her a sharp, pointed frown. “The Royals Ball is not an optional event. It is not just a celebration. It is a reminder of who our true rulers are. Queen Viola would take it as a major slight if you were to cancel the ball, and I think we’re all very aware that it is never a good idea to slight ourQueen.”
Eyes wide, I glanced at Rourke. He shook his head in disgust, but he kept his thoughts private. I had come to realize that Rourke was no ordinary Autumn fae. He clearly didn’t approve of much of what theydid.
“You cannot possibly expect these students to celebrate after what’s happened here tonight?” Head Instructor Alwyn asked, her mouth slightly parted in surprise. “After what’s happened to their classmates andfriends?”
“We don’t just expect it,” the Autumn fae said with glittering yellow eyes. “We demandit.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The dining hallhad been transformed, but the ghosts of the attack still lingered behind. At some point during the night, the Autumn fae had cleared the room, disposing of the Redcap bodies in a bonfire on a distant hill. I knew because I’d seen the flames from my bedroom window, the spot I hadn’t been able to vacate all night. I just kept imagining those claws. All that blood painting every surface of thehall.
And I couldn’t stop thinking about Bree. She was somewhere out there. I had to hope the Redcaps hadn’t come across her first. I had to hope I could get to her while she was stillbreathing.
Now, I stood in the hall-turned-ballroom, drinking in the strange eeriness of the celebration. Someone had left a package just outside the apartment door addressed to me. In it, I’d found the most beautiful dress I’d ever laid eyes on. It was midnight black with silver sleeves filled with starlight. With an open back, at first I’d felt a bit shy about wearing it. It revealed more skin than I was accustomed to showing, but when I tried it on, the silky fabric fit me like a glove. Like it had been made specifically for me. Even the bottom of the dress was the perfect length, and it spread out across the floor with more silver specks dotted across the fabric like a glorious painting of a clear nightsky.
Sophia had shouted and exclaimed and clapped her hands, and she’d tried to convince me to wear my hair in an elaborate up-do that didn’t suit me. Instead, I’d let my long locks fall in natural waves down my back. It made me feel free and alive. If it weren’t for the cloud of pain and danger that hung heavily over this event, I might even feel strangelyhappy.
But after what had happened, no one seemed particularly comfortable to be here right now. Except for the Autumn Royals who were smugly moving about the room in long golden gowns, their cold, intelligent eyes keeping a close eye on everything we said anddid.
Kael slid up behind me and gently placed his hand on my back. My heart skipped, and I tried not to let my face show just how much of an effect that slight touch had onme.
“You look very beautiful, Norah.” A pause as his dark eyes searched mine. “Is it safe to say that you like mygift?”
I widened my eyes. “Yourgift? You mean...this dress is fromyou?”
“Of course,” he said with a slight smile. “I assumed the color would give it away, as well as the stars. I wanted to give you something that reminded me of that night you saved mylife.”
My knees wobbled. That was pretty much the most romantic thing anyone had ever said to me, but Kael took my reaction to mean something elseentirely.
“You okay?” He gently took my arm and furrowed his eyebrows. “Do you need to sit? Is something ailingyou?”
“I’m fine.” I cleared my throat and smiled. “Just a little overwhelmed, Iguess.”
Get ahold of yourself, Norah. One sweet comment, and you’re already swooning onto thefloor.
He scowled and glanced at an Autumn Court fae who slowly passed us by, eyes locked on where Kael’s hand rested on my back. “It’s truly heartless to make all the changelings endure this ridiculous celebration after what happened lastnight.”
“Careful, Kael,” the Autumn fae said with a chilly smile. “I wouldn’t want to have to report you toViola.”
“Don’t lie, Redmond. It’s not the Autumn fae way,” Kael shot back. “We both know that you wouldloveto report me toViola.”
“You’re right.” Redmond’s smile was full of sharp and pointed teeth. “A monster like you shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near our so-called precious changelings.” He sniffed my way. “Does yourfriendknow about your specialissue?”
“I know all about it. Thanks for asking.” I shot him a sarcastic smile as sweet folksy music filled the hall. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’d like to go do something more interesting than talk to a smug fae. Kael, would you like to joinme?”
Kael pursed his lips and tried to keep his chuckle under his breath, but I heard him. It was a deep, soothing sound. A sound I wished I could hear more of. Kael didn’t laugh nearly enough. Somehow, I needed to rectifythat.
He kept his hand on my back, and I had a feeling it was more in spite of Redmond than because he necessarily wanted it there. But I didn’t mind. I liked the idea of seeing Redmond’s smug smile fall right off his stupid face. So, Kael steered me toward the dance floor. At the moment, it was glaringly empty, but we walked past everyone on the outskirts until we were the only onesthere.
“Care to dance?” He held out a hand and gave me a mockbow.
