Page 88 of Lady of Darkness

“Well, with you two hovering like a mother bear, I doubt they will show their face today,” Callan said, stooping to pick up the book. It was one of Scarlett’s favorites, and when he opened the cover, he found the note that Finn had shoved back inside.

I trust you will find this book far more stimulating, Prince. I look forward to reading your review in a few days when I bring you another since your current collection is obviously lacking. Do not lose it!

“Who do you think it is?” Finn wondered as Callan again folded the note and put it in his tunic.

“I do not know,” he mused, “but their taste in books already seems better than yours, Finn.”

Scarlett didn’t miss the note he subtly dropped as the three made their way back to the clearing, bantering lightly. She also didn’t miss the slight glances the prince gave over his shoulder, and neither did his companions. She followed them in the shadows, not putting it past his friends and guards to linger to see if she showed up.

When they had been gone at least twenty minutes, she doubled back and picked up the note:

I was going to bring you a book of my own to prove that my taste wasn’t entirely dismal, but my busybody friends would have asked far too many questions. Perhaps next time.

But what am I to call you? A goddess of the wind?

Scarlett smiled to herself. Oh, this would be fun indeed.

The next night was the first night she slipped into his rooms. Cassius had supplied her with a map of the castle, and Nuri and Juliette had gone with her to keep watch. They had slipped into the castle on numerous occasions, but never to a royal’s private suite. She was in and out of his rooms in less than a minute, leaving only a note on his pillow.

I am no goddess, Prince. If I am, I am one of darkness and secrets, but your dreams of me would certainly be beatific.

The next several weeks were met with more book and note exchanges. The notes gradually got more personal and were a welcome distraction from their now daily guarding of the orphans. The flirting between the lines, she casually began asking the prince what his roles included in his father’s kingdom. She had asked if he wished he had other roles, and as she read the note in the chill wind of the fall day, she sank down into the leaves, cross-legged.

I do not entirely know that I want to be king, even though the decision is already made for me. My father’s focus is on land and power. I wish to focus on the people already in our care. My father and his Lords call me young and naïve. Perhaps, but I know more of our city than they do and am eager to visit the surrounding towns and cities to find out what needs they may have.

And you, my dear Wraith? Do you enjoy your roles of secrecy and darkness and causing my guards such anxiety with these notes?

That night when she snuck into the castle to deliver her answer, she found another note already waiting for her…along with a night black mask.

Come to the Samhain Ball at the castle. As my guest. Your mask will hide your face so such a goddess of darkness and secrets can roam freely. You will find your PROPER way into the castle enclosed.

A formal invitation fluttered to the ground as she unfolded the rest of the note.

She had debated the merits of going with Nuri and Juliette for the next three days. The Samhain Ball was a festival of the dead and, as such, celebrations involved masks and costumes so that spirits could walk among them at will. Or that was the fun of it, anyway. It would be a masquerade ball. She wasn’t worried about being recognized. She’d been hidden from the world since the night her mother was killed.

She rode in the carriage alone to the castle and was allowed in without a bat of an eye when she produced her invitation. She was led to the ballroom, where she found a large staircase that led down to the festivities. Dressed in a black flowing sleeveless dress with a plunging neckline, the tiny black beads that adorned it glimmered in the candlelight lighting the room. A chiffon train attached to each strap of her gown flowed behind her. The gown came to the floor with deep slits up the sides. Her slippers were silver, and her hair had been curled and swept back with two black combs that curved like wings. That black mask provided by the prince was fixed perfectly to her face, which Juliette had accented with blood-red lips and a dusting of light color to her cheeks. Nothing else was needed.

Scarlett scanned the crowd as she descended the stairs gracefully, but in a sea full of masks, she couldn’t immediately pick out the prince. The two figures that stepped directly in her path as she stepped from the final stair,however, she recognized them. The two wore only gold domino masks that covered the eyes.

“Hmm,” Scarlett mused. “Let me see if I’ve got this right. Finn,” she said, pointing to the shorter of the two on the right, “and Sloan.” Her mouth curved up in an innocent smile. They both frowned.

“Who are you?” Sloan asked in a hushed voice.

“A guest of Prince Callan,” she replied simply.

“Where did you come from?” Finn tried.

That innocent smile became wicked as she purred, “I am from your nightmares, Sentry.”

“Then you shall not get near the prince,” Sloan said through gritted teeth, clearly trying to avoid making a scene.

Scarlett laughed. “Had I any desire to kill the prince, it would have happened at any of the other dozens of times I’ve been watching him from the shadows… Or in his rooms.”

Sloan’s eyes flashed with fury, but Finn cut in smoothly. “You are unarmed?”

“Do you see a place I could hide a weapon in this dress, Finn?” Both guards looked her up and down. “The view is wonderful, isn’t it?” Sloan scowled, and Finn flushed. She just smirked in return. She, of course, had a dagger discreetly strapped beneath the dress to her thigh. “Am I required to stand at the base of the stairs all evening, or am I allowed to see the one who extended me such a thoughtful invitation?”

Sloan was about to protest, but Finn cut him off with a look. “Callan will be furious if he finds out she came, and we sent her away.”

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