“Listen, I fully plan on making sure Tassarion shedsnoblood this twinight. No matter how difficult a feat that will be for him.”
Saundeiah laughed behind her ghostly palm, shaking her head.
“I don’t think our Roi can avoid it. Not with so many across Mortevain attending the masquerade.” Her eyes danced. “That doesn’t matter, though. You are dressed perfectly for this twinight.”
I refused to cry. Not after Nadege had taken stars knew how long to decorate my face with kohl, a rouge stain on my lips and shimmers of glitter across my cheeks. Every Nanmiess had begged me to let a measure of my blackfire seep through my skin. It would enhance the look, they said. So I listened. Lavender blackfire snaked through my skin down the length of my face in mosaic cracks like a geometric pattern as lavender fire coated my mahogany skin.
And the gown.
HolyInfinite.
I leisurely took in the fitted corset with the bodice shrouded in onyx floral embroidery, as dainty lace sleeves clung to my shoulders. The lace covered the length of my arms, ending inbillowing sleeves that tumbled to the floor. A highly detailed design of erupting sparks was woven into the gown, rushing upward like trails of blackfire coursing through the corset. Sinching my waist, the corset blended into a skirt that clung to every inch of my skin tightly down the length of my legs. The rest of the skirt’s cape billowed out to the floor like a black veil resembling a waterfall of black diamonds. An infinite amount of ebony jewels glittered along the plumes of the gown, interspersed with lavender jewels as obsidian and gilded florals cascaded down the fabric.
To finish it all off, Saundeiah clasped a collar with matching florals and jewels around my neck that covered the stretch of skin like an upside-down crown.
“Saundeiah.”
If only Manmi could see me in this. Papi.
My eyes pricked with tears.
“No tears.” She brushed a gentle hand across my cheek. “It is an honor to dress you in the way our only queen, Roièssa Clarèssa, would see fit for an evening like this.”
I tilted my head back, fighting for all the good in life to keep my tears from falling.
Fanning my face, I swallowed my emotions. I looked at myself in the mirror, filled with endless pride. Stars. I could notwaitto see Tassarion’s reaction.
“You could see it now if you hadn’t kicked me out of our lair, Emélie.”
I giggled down the bond.
“Seeing your reaction in front of everyone else will be more satisfying.”
“Beautifulandvain.”
I grinned.
“Beautiful, vain, andyours.”
A flurry of souls brushed along our bond like a caress to my spirit. It was like feeling him stand behind me before wrapping me in his arms. I leaned into the ethereal embrace, relishing his touch. I sent my caress of blackfire down the bond, which resulted in him growling back with profound need. My cheeks flushed. It was going to be a long twinight getting him to behave.
“Long,”he snarled across the bond.
I burst out laughing before clapping a hand over my mouth.
Saundeiah watched me with a twinkle in her luminescent eyes.
“I take it His Majesty is ready for you to make your way to the ballroom.”
I giggled. “Quite.”
Saundeiah smiled sweetly.
“Well, let’s be off then.”
I floated into the hall with my Nanmiess in tow and found the gargoyles waiting. Coralai lit up with Gargorètti pride, her amber eyes glowing. The gargoyle opened her palm to me, about to take my hand in hers.
“No. I should like to do the honors.”
