“Then don’t say it,” my mother replied gently. “Show her. Remember, you’re the reason she’s here, and it’s like you’ve forgotten everything.”
There was nothing I could do tonight, but tomorrow was the ball and I wasn’t going to leave her waiting any longer.
I could hearthe music playing through the walls of my room as I got ready with Adelle and her twin sisters. They were already dressed and just needed help with their hair. Calisto’s hair was short and curly around her face, while Seraphine’s hair was long around her shoulders. Adelle had her hair styled in braids around her head, and I was still fighting with my curls— at least my makeup was finished.
“I don’t know how you manage this every day,” I muttered, pulling another stubborn curl into place with one hand while holding my wand brush in the other.
Calisto smirked as she adjusted one of Seraphine’s enchanted hairpins—tiny golden bats that fluttered like they were alive. “It’s magic, darling, and inherited patience. You could try it out.”
“I don’t think my magic works like that,” I stammered, unsure of what to say.
Seraphine rolled her eyes. “Is it death magic? We thought that was the only affinity that couldn’t do what we do until we caught Rune’s shadows helping him take out his locs one day.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but Adelle stepped behind me and gently took over, interrupting what I was going to say. “Here, let me. You’re going to make yourself frazzled.”
“Too late,” I murmured, but let her work.
Adelle’s fingers were gentle as they moved with confidence through my hair. She twisted and pinned my curls into something vaguely elegant. Something I wouldn’t have been able to manage on my own.
“You’d be surprised what your magic can do when you stop trying to control the outcome,” she said softly, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror.
My throat tightened, and all I could manage was a nod as I stared at myself in the mirror.
My reflection didn’t look like me. The woman staring back had glitter on her cheekbones, a black lace mask perched to one side of her face, and a dress that shimmered with every move I made. I looked... exquisite, but now that we were talking magic, I certainly didn’t feel it.
Seraphine watched me over my shoulder. “I think you should try it! If you have death magic, I would love to see your shadows.”
A knock on the door saved me from answering and giving away all of my secrets. Adelle let go of my hair and appreciatedher work with a soft smile on her face as one of the twins answered the door.
I sucked in a breath.
Rune commanded the room as he walked in.
I hadn’t seen him all week—not really—and the space between us had only grown heavier with every silent hour. But now, standing in the doorway in a suit that looked tailored from midnight itself, he didn’t look like a man burdened by war and leadership.
He looked like something made of smoke and velvet andpower.
His dark mask was the perfect contrast to his bright eyes as he stared me down from across the bedroom.
“Maple,” he said, low and reverent.
I swallowed hard, suddenly unsure of my footing.
“I—hi,” I managed.
Real smooth.
The corner of his mouth lifted just slightly. “You look…”
He didn’t finish the sentence.
He just walked toward me, slowly, like the room wasn’t full of his sisters watching with bated breath.
His eyes didn’t leave mine even as the twins snickered.
“I missed you,” he said softly.
The words knocked the breath right out of me.
