Page 59 of Blood and Roses

"I promise nothing will happen to Eli," Balthasar said, looking over where his father was charming Alena Southgate.

The candles had been lit, casting a warm glow on the proceedings. Balthasar moved through the crowds, smiling every time he spotted one of Rosa's artistic wreaths. It all seemed to be going well until he caught Rosa's scent.

It is only your imagination, he said to himself as he moved down the staircase. His eyes scanned the crowd of their own accord, and then he spotted someone standing near the autumn tree.

She wore a ball gown that shimmered with red silk beneath the sheer black fabric. The bodice wrapped around her, accenting the decadent curves of her body. Her hair had been curled and pinned up in an elaborate style, small jet pins as its only adornment, leaving her white back bare. As if she felt his eyes on her, her head turned to look over her shoulder. Balthasar swallowed hard as kohl-rimmed eyes burned straight throughhim, the dark berry stain on her lips emphasizing the curved invitation of her smile. Eli appeared beside him silently.

"What the hell is she doing here?" Balthasar hissed as his fear and panic threatened to choke him.

"I invited her," Eli said calmly. "She looks gorgeous in that dress."

"Good enough to eat, some would say. Are you out of your mind? This room is filled with Gwaed Gam and soon to be filled with the fae."

"Celyn hexed her last night. Don't worry. I removed it, but I didn't want her alone tonight and so far from the house. He marked her as war spoils. That is not an act of friendly relations. The protections on the cottage are strong but not infallible. If Celyn tries anything more, there will be a house full of loyal supporters to protect her at my command." Eli smiled, knowing that they were being watched. He tapped his shoulder. "Don't worry. She will do famously. I know one of the Northland men is already bewitched by her."

"You're not helping me right now, Father. She won't—" but Balthasar didn't finish. Eli's posture flexed, and Balthasar feltthemmoving towards them like a whisper up his skin.

"They are here."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Rosa took a secret delight in watching Balthasar unobserved. He looked like heaven in an elegant three-piece tuxedo as he glided through the crowds, putting his guests at ease in his presence. His reputation must not have been an exaggeration. Rosa had seen the flicker of panic in the eyes of the other Gwaed Gam and the guarded respect in others.

To her, he was just Balthasar—the man who had come to her rescue, who had painted her. The man with a fierce facade put on for the world but had no place when they were alone. She turned to see him finally notice her. For a moment, the look on his face was raw and desperate with desire and panic before all the shields went up. It didn't matter. She had seen the look she was aiming for.

The dress that Eli had given her was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. When she put it on, she had instantly felt striking, strong, confident, and every inch Balthasar's match. She was about to move to join him when her hand started to burn.

The large double doors blew open in a rush of cold air, the sound of beautiful singing rising like a sea around them. Rosacould smell all her favorite things, and she knew what was coming.

The Seelie began to file into the room in shimmering gleams of light. Like Celyn, their clothes had a distorted feel of old and new. The women wore elaborate ballgowns made of rose petals, another of butterflies, and another looked like the scales of a fish. The men were all tall and stately, their strangely curved eyes taking in the room with amused delight.

Rosa saw Celyn walking on the left-hand side of the most stunning man she had ever seen. He was almost seven-foot-tall, and his long fox red hair had been tied with a black ribbon. He had topaz eyes and wore red and purple that accentuated his striking coloring. On the top of his head was a crown of whitethorn leaves.

Rosa shook as she clutched the pendant of her necklace tightly and the clouds that had been filling her head cleared. They were still beautiful but in a way that screamed of unnatural danger.

Eli and Balthasar stayed where they were in the middle of the staircase, the high ground, and allowed the faerie leader to ascend to meet them. They bowed politely to each other, two faerie lords meeting as equals. Eli's glamor that made him appear human melted away, and Rosa's heart pounded in her chest at the sight of his true face. His hair grew longer, twisting with wild black curls about his head and shoulders. His eyes that were usually a pale green bled emerald, his skin developing a pearlescent sheen like the other fae in the room.

"Ryn Eurion, welcome to Gwaed Lyn," Eli greeted, his voice resonating through the halls, his timbre altered to be darker, deeper, filled with authority and danger.

Rosa's heart felt as if it would give way in her chest as the fairy tale came rushing back to her. It was no wonder that theAutumn Queen had been brought to her knees by him. He was desire itself.

"Bleddyn Seren Du," Ryn answered, "you honor the Seelie with your lavish welcome."

"I take it that the lovely Autumn Queen will not be joining us in the celebrations?" Eli asked.

Rosa sucked in her breath. She could feel the tension in the room as tight as a bowstring.You have stepped in the middle of an ancient feud, Rosamund Wylt. You shouldn't have come to the ball tonight.

"As you can imagine, the queen is extremely busy. It's a hard task to rule both the lands of Seelie and Unseelie. She sends you her regards, Bleddyn."

"A shame. I had hoped to get reacquainted with her after so long. I have fond memories of the last time we met." Bleddyn smirked as Ryn flinched. "But tonight we must let history stay in the past where it belongs. To the Seelie, I bid you welcome in my house. Let you want of nothing while you are here and let you fear nothing while under my roof."

Then he laughed, and it was as if his laughter was a pin to the bubble of unease. Everyone stopped frowning and started smiling as music began once more. Drinks were poured, and everyone was comfortable again. Rosa followed the crowds up to the ballroom, careful not to step on anyone's feet.

"My dear, what a lovely dress you wear," a tall faerie lady with cat eyes commented to her.

"Thank you."

"These jet pins in your hair have an aura of the ages about them. They are from the Fields of Night Drops, are they not?"

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