“Oh?” I turn to face him.
“But let’s not talk about that right now,” he says, a smile emerging. “It’s almost time to go, and I know you’re already anxious enough as it is.”
“I’m not that anxious, but I want to know,” I insist.
He simply kisses the top of my head again. “Come downstairs when you’re ready,” he replies, leaving the room.
I pout at my reflection in the mirror. He must know something about the camps and all the other developments—I can’t imagine Dorian would keep such things from him. And if Dorian is still supplying the military with weapons, Colton has to be aware that something significant is underway. What are you hiding, Nyx?
Shaking off my suspicions for the moment, I slip into an almost sheer pale-blue dress with delicate straps. It clings to my form down to the floor, elegant yet comfortable. I study myself in the mirror, pinning my hair back on one side while letting the rest cascade in waves down the other. Deciding that the red lipstick is too bold for my outfit, I switch to a soft pink shade instead. With a final glance, I slip into some strappy heels and head downstairs.
Colton’s eyes start to glow as he watches me descend the staircase, and his gaze intensifies,warming me to the core. “I am the luckiest man in all the realms,” he murmurs, and I can’t help but smile as I wrap my arms around his neck, tilting my head to meet his lips.
“I can’t wait to take this off you after the party,” he whispers, his voice a low rumble. He pauses, his breath hot against my neck as he plants a trail of light kisses up to my ear. “Although, I have to admit, the dress doesn’t leave much to the imagination. I’m not sure I want everyone else seeing you in this tonight. Are you trying to make me jealous?”
His tone is teasing, but there’s a hint of real concern there too, making my heart flutter with a mix of delight and a touch of guilt.
“Maybe a little. I thought it might keep your attention on me all night,” I tease, feeling his arms tighten around my waist, his fingers tracing circles on my lower back. “My attention would be on you all night even if you wore a flour sack,” he murmurs against my ear, making me giggle. He gives me one more kiss, then asks, “Are you ready for this?”
I nod, resting my head against his chest, savoring our last moment alone before the whirlwind of the party. “Ready as I’ll ever be,” I whisper back, and he channels us.
The Elders’Palace is nothing short of breathtaking tonight, transformed into a place of opulence and enchantment befitting a celebration of Fae royalty. As Colton channels us directly into the festivities, we step into a part of the palace I’ve never explored before—a grand ballroom that dazzles the senses.
The vast space is bathed in gold and ivory, with enormous vaulted ceilings from which delicate crystal chandeliers hang, casting a cascade of sparkling light across the polished marblefloor. The air is filled with music and chatter as guests dance and mingle.
The room teems with at least one hundred Fae, each wearing their finest attire—gowns shimmering with gemstones and suits tailored in silks, at least half the crowd displaying their wings in a riot of bright colors. Servants glide through the crowd like wraiths, offering silver trays laden with exotic cocktails and canapés that seem almost too delicate to eat, crafted to delight both the eye and the palate.
“Let’s greet my parents first,” Colton suggests, guiding me through the throng. His presence commands respectful nods and hushed whispers, though many give us space, perhaps wary of me... Gods, I hope not.
The ballroom extends into a spectacular open terrace, transformed into a luxurious outdoor lounge with a bar set against the backdrop of the night sky. The air out here is cooler, scented with the heady fragrance of night-blooming flowers.
Descending the terrace steps, we pass a large pool area, where the water glimmers with blues and greens under the moonlight. Steam rises gently from the heated waters. Some guests mingle in and around the pool, their laughter echoing with the splash of water.
Beyond the pool, the palace gardens unfold—a beautiful maze beneath the stars. Lantern-lit paths wind through meticulously tended flowerbeds and over ornate bridges spanning small, gurgling streams. Each turn reveals hidden nooks with benches perfect for discreet conversations or a stolen kiss. I wonder how many women Colton has whisked away out here during his years of living with his parents. He squeezes my hand gently, as if somehow reading my thoughts, and pauses to give me a quick kiss.
“Lyra, Colton!” a voice calls out, and I turn to see his mother, Elspeth, approaching. Her chestnut-brown curlsbounce lightly, and her unique golden eyes sparkle in the soft lantern light. She’s accompanied by a few other people, including Colton’s stepfather, Granger.
“Ladies, you all know Colton, of course,” Elspeth says, smiling at us and introducing him to her friends. I notice she hesitates before mentioning me.
Colton, sensing the pause, wraps his arm around my lower back and says, “And this is my fiancée, Lyra.” He turns to me. “Lyra, meet my mother’s oldest friends—Rosalie and Odetta.”
“Pleasure,” Odetta responds, her tone carrying an edge. “Colton, you must remember my daughter Crimson. Do say hello to her tonight. It’s been too long.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, Lyra. You look beautiful. The rumors don’t do you justice,” Rosalie adds, her smile warm and genuine.
“Thank you,” I reply, appreciating Rosalie’s kindness but internally questioning what rumors she’s referring to.
“Colton, Lyra,” Granger interjects with a deep, authoritative voice. He gives us a brief nod before excusing himself to join a group of men nearby, each holding a drink and engaged in conversation.
“Well, ladies, I’ll let you get back to your gossip. The party is beautiful, Mother,” Colton says, and I breathe a silent sigh of relief that our interaction is brief.
“Thank you, son. And, Lyra dear, we’ll chat later. There are a few things we should discuss,” Elspeth adds, her tone light but carrying a weight that settles uneasily in my stomach.
What could she possibly want to discuss that couldn’t be said now? I manage a polite nod and a smile, masking my growing apprehension.
“Let’s grab a drink,” Colton says, guiding me away through the gardens. The farther we move from his parents, the betterI feel—until he pulls me behind a sprawling moonflower bush into a secluded nook shrouded by blossoms.
The moment his lips find mine, the world falls away. His kiss is deep, insistent, and his hands roam over my body with a hunger that makes my knees weak.
