Page 112 of The Duplicity of Thieves

The twins walk around me, admiring their work when they finish. They're riddled with excitement. Leilani holds her hand out, and I follow the gesture to a mirror off to the side. I hadn’t noticed it. I step in front of it and catch sight of my reflection.

Flowing out at my hips is a mesh skirt with a slit trailing all the way to my hip, almost exposing me. It’s colored from deep black shading to white around the ends of the fabric. Tiny golden sparkles glitter from the skirt like little stars. It’s gorgeous. Probably the most beautiful thing I’ve ever worn. One of the shiny black heels on my feet pokes out through the slit.

My hair has been curled and lays cascading down my shoulder over Aedon’s name, hiding it. The rest of my scars are on full display, and it makes me look intimidating. My jaw drops to the floor.

Dark smoky shadow is in a band around my silver eyes. Little gold glittering stars have been placed around the sides near my temples. My lips are a shimmering gold, and the black hoop in my nose has been exchanged for a gold one.

“Holy shit,” Vivian hiccups from behind me. “Holy shit, holy shit, holy fucking shit.”

She’s always been my number one fan, full of encouragement. I feel kind of stupid being dressed up, but it also feels exciting.

She’s wrapped in a mermaid style dress that hugs her curves and makes her hazel eyes stand out against her smooth skin. It’s black fabric with intricately embroidered glittering gold patterns, fanning out at her feet. The golden sleeves hang off her shoulders lazily, and she has a black pendant placed on her neck. Her hair is up in an elegant ponytail on top of her head, making her ringlet curls dangle around her face.

Her eyes are dusted with gold glitter, fanning out into black creases, and her lips are black with a gold shimmer. She looks insanely hot, and I think Bella would cover her up if she saw her.

“Did we nail the Tartarian theme or what?” Leilani clasps her hands hopefully.

“Fucking nailed it.” Tears well in our eyes. It’s a life changing moment. Not that our lives haven’t drastically changed in the last few months, but this is definitive. Once we leave here, I will officially be a princess, something I have yet to come to terms with. My scars will be on display for the world, and whoever is trailing me will know exactly where to find me. What if I lose my shit? What if the Grimoire is found? What if the box is opened? What if, what if, what if? I take a deep breath pushing the questions down and focus on getting through the night.

Tucked into the root of Vivian’s ponytail is a little golden clip, sort of like a crown, but smaller. I reach up and touch it.

“Prince Aedonaeus had it made for her,” Leilani squeals.

“Isn’t it beautiful,” Kailani muses.

She looks like a true princess. “My apologies, Vivian, but not as beautiful as the one I had made for you, love.” Aedon’s velvety voice stops when his eyes land on me. The twins run out, returning with a crown I can’t even believe is real.

It’s gold. Dark shimmering pieces of Tartarian stone, like the kind the box is made from, have been placed along it like spikes. Golden patterns weave in and out depicting various creatures throughout the delicate band. Around my neck, the twins place a necklace that sinks in between my breasts to match. They add to the look with dangling earrings that look like stars bursting.

Aedon wears his own crown on his head, but it’s thicker and sturdier. The Tartarian stones have been placed inside gold patterns depicting the same bloodthirsty creatures. A few tiny rubies have been scattered throughout, symbolizing blood.

He advances on me, looking like he might eat me alive, as the twins place the crown on my head. He takes my hand and pulls my ring finger from the rest. “Since I haven’t put one on you yet.” He slides a marquis ruby, with diamonds placed to look like points in a star. I see a thick band around his finger, shimmering with Tartarian stone. Quiet and subtle, but it still gives a statement. “There.”

Something changes around me. The air is heavy and demanding—it shouts for respect. Vivian bows her head, and the wide-eyed twins follow. I’m not used to reverence. I’m used to blending in or making people not look at me. This is nerve wracking.

“Let us pin it in, princess,” the twins fuss, somehow sewing the damned crown into my hair.

“Josie,” I correct them for the millionth time.

Aedon shakes his head with a wolfish grin. “Let the poor girls be. They’ve spent an eternity with my mother. You won’t break the habit in a day.”

Kailani smiles brightly. “It’s quite alright, Prince Aedonaeus.”

“Jo, you look…There aren’t words,” Vivian cries.

“Oh no!” Leilani clasps her hands over her mouth. “The makeup!” They whisk her away with a promise to bring her back, leaving Aedon and I alone.

“If we didn’t have to go,” he growls, roving two pools of blue lust over me. His voice is laced with sex, and he’s biting the inside of his cheek.

I finally notice what he’s wearing. A black button-down shirt, black waistcoat, and black suit jacket that has pointed lapels hugs his frame. Black suit pants and shiny black shoes finish off the look. The collar is undone instead of buttoned up tight, and a smoky cravat with little gold specks sits low on his neck, exposing his tattoos. We are perfectly matched.

I look at the ring, playing with it on my finger. “What if they hate me?”

“Some of them will.” He moves my hair and traces his name on my chest. “Most of them won’t, which brings me to a subject I have wholeheartedly avoided. Some of the people that will be in attendance are less than savory, as I’m sure you would be aware.”

“Don’t provoke them?” I guess.

“Not exactly. Please, just stay with me. Don’t run off. There is one woman in particular, Eris…She’s the goddess of strife. Expect the unexpected.”

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