21
MAX
Attaching the mask to my face, I hold my breath as the large golden doors open, revealing the scene before me. Large archways of gold, with long trailing vines of green sweep the walls. Candles, high above, burn down long wicks into veridian wax. The scent of lemon balm and lilies hang like a cloud as Fae aristocrats dance in their finest.
Shimmering skirts of white, gold, and green fling into the air, long trains of lace and tulle flap along in the warm night. The music, macabre but beautiful, plays on strings, keys, and horns in the far corner.
It’s a beautiful sight, a ball full of wealth and prestige. They celebrateSola, most of the Lords making it here without issue after Mal’s involvement. The colors represent the sun goddess, enjoying her bounty and love.
They all wear masks, showing the many sides toSola’stemper. She is a fickle goddess, known for her love and wrath in one fell swoop. There are gold masks, others of silver. Some with grotesque faces that remind me of the creatures from the Eternal Night Forest ready to devour my soul. Others, with happy smiling faces full of charm and pleasure.
Adjusting my mask, I try to blend in.Hard to do. My red satin dress is a drop of blood in this lush garden of florals and pastels. My mask is etched with rubies, dripping down the sides as if it is blood falling from a corpse. It only covers half my face, but it looks as if it melts onto my skin.
A few eyes fall to me, but I keep my head up, long locks curling down my exposed back, shoulders down, my crown around my throat. I do not want to be here, but I am. I will not hide.
The crowd parts and I make my way through on sure steps. I came without waiting for Fee or Reid. Or my mate who I am less than pleased with.
No. Fuck that. I’m furious with him.
As I was packing for our return home, mind spinning of all the things we needed to do, he came in, excited to tell me of the ball. A ball we had decided we were to miss and return to our palace to prepare for Griffin’s attack.
He gave very little explanation. I was just to go along with it.
That’s not like Kaden. He wouldn’t dismiss me, ignore my concerns, and then still do it.
I can only assume there is a reason.And it better be a godsdamn good one.
Across the room, Fee enters. She’s dressed in black, fitting for a Dark Fae princess, with slim sides and a mask crafted from black raven feathers. She’s willowy and elegant as she walks through the ball, ignoring suitors. She grabs a wine glass before a male interrupts her.
Mal.I see the ring in his ear, his pale hair pulled back. His costume, though a typical elegant suit and stylish cuffs of evergreen, it’s his mask that takes me back. It doesn’t quite fit. It’s bronze with a pointed nose and large opaque black eyes. If not for recognizing him, I would crush his heart for his menacing stance toward my sister.
Behind her, I pick Reid out of the crowd easily. With a bright green mask of a joker and patterned tunic, he reclines with a male in his lap, another rubbing his shoulders. His chest is exposed, histattoo appearing under the folds, and he toasts someone as they dance by.
Clearly, one of us is enjoying ourselves.
A servant offers me wine, and greedily I take it. The room is sweltering, the crowd pulsing like a beating heart, only this one I cannot control and make go away. I have to endure.
A couple spins by me. They’re quite odd, with twin looks. The woman, in a large white ball gown, has a green mask that reminds of the large spikey flowers that decorate the palace gardens. The man, her counterpart, is dressed in a long suit of white, with a gold mask in similar style.
Where one leans, the other falls forward. Another steps to the side, and their counterpart copies. They are two perfect halves, completely in sync, spinning around me in the middle of the dance floor.
“You are not Woodland,” the female says, voice airy and sweet.
My fingers turn red. Thankfully, with better control, hearts no longer attack me. The valley was an exception—one I will not make again.
“No, I am not.”
“The Dark Queen,” the male whispers in awe. “We never thought to see you.”
“It is curious,” she responds, ignoring me now, though I feel their eyes. “I expected someone with fangs.”
“I expected someone horrible.” He shudders.
“But you’re as beautiful as a summer’s rose.”
Glaring, I drain my glass, dropping it on a passing servant’s tray. “This has been riveting?—”
“She smells like the king,” she murmurs, twirling once.
