Page 217 of Barbi and the Villain

“Right? I cannot believe he will overlook her widow status. It’s positively scandalous.”

“Why do you think that is, Mia?” Another girl rolls her eyes. “He wants the v’Kyró connection. He is playing the long game. He knows the thantor will return and he wants to make sure he’s on the right side when he does.”

“It’s been too long. Do you really think he is going to return? We’ve all been stuck here for thousands of years.”

“The Council is close to finding a way out. Have you forgotten about Elias and the Chalice? He’s on our side now. It won’t be long before the realm’s doors will open for good. Rumor has it that the Chalice is here, at the palace.”

“I don’t know. Even with the Chalice, the Sons of Tenebreis that can go outside can only do so for a limited amount of time before they’re yanked back by the seal. I doubt the thantor can do anything.”

“We shall see,” the girl huffs.

I’m not entirely sure what their conversation is about, but before they can spot me and God forbid, ask me who I am, I quickly sneak away with my food. Nyk said I should stick by the refreshments table, but surely he won’t mind if I go onto the balcony. After all, I’ll draw far less attention there than in the ballroom. If he wanted me not to stand out, maybe he shouldn’t have gotten me such a pretty ensemble. Not that everyone else isn’t beautifully dressed. But my pink dress is one of a kind if I do say so myself.

Smiling to myself, I head out the double doors that lead onto a small balcony.

A light breeze brushes against my cheek and I take a deep breath. This feels nice.

There is a table and two chairs a little farther inside the balcony, and I take a seat, placing my food and drink on the table.

I eat slowly.

Music blares from inside the ballroom, and the party begins in full swing.

I sip my wine. It’s quite nice. It has a sweet, cherry undertone to it. I take another sip.

Minutes pass, and boredom ensues.

But right as I’m about to get up and go back to the refreshments table in case Nyk is searching for me, a woman plops herself in the other seat. She releases a loud sigh and downs the remainder liquid from her glass.

I stare at her. I should leave…

I stand up and slowly step away, but her hand reaches out and she pulls on my skirt, stopping me.

“You do not have to leave,” she slurs. “It is my fault I intruded,” she murmurs. Her eyes are unfocused, her body slumped over the table as if she can barely stop herself from falling asleep.

With the protective runes in place, I assume that people are more susceptible to getting drunk and sick. And despite knowing I shouldn’t interact with anyone, I can’t leave her like this.

“Are you all right?” I ask as I pat her back. “Do you want me to call someone?”

She releases a laugh that turns into a snort.

“My future husband. But he will not care much. There is also my mother. But she would get mad at me for ruining the party, so please no.” She wrinkles her nose, her expression pensive. “There is also my brother. But he is currently negotiating a business deal with an important guest… I forgot his name.” She burps. “Oops, I’m sorry.” She giggles.

“It’s all right.” I smile.

“There is my other brother too.” She frowns. “He would have cared. But he is not here. He is loooong gone.”

“I’m sorry,” I murmur.

“Oh, he is not dead, though sometimes I wish he were,” she continues.

I frown. That does not make much sense, does it?

“You’re probably wondering who this crazy lady is.” She laughs. “Trust me, I wonder about that all the time too.”

With her free hand, she wrenches her mask away, regarding me expectantly as if waiting for me to recognize her.

Shit!

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