Page 60 of Dance with the Dragon Duke

Apparently, Ruby wasn’t entirely without fairy magic, even tethered to a weaker soul. It occurred to Tomorrow that, if that was the case, Ruby must have once had potential for seriously powerful spells. Poor Ruby. What if she wished to change her form or shape one day, but because of their bargain she was stuck forever as she was?

Tomorrow hadn’t meant to, but she’d sent some of her worries to the fairy. New dress squeezed between her tiny, clawed fingers, Ruby informed Tomorrow in jabbers and chirrups that she was perfect exactly the way she was already.

Why would she ever want to change herself?

Laughter burbled out of Tomorrow.You’re absolutely right, Ruby. You’re perfect the way you are.

* * *

Just after evening twilight, Tomorrow and her fabulous entourage arrived at the House of Night in high fashion, in a well-sprung coach and four, the cabin layered in thick furs. Footmen opened the cabin door for them and rolled out one of the rugs, protecting their shoes from the snow.

The scent of incense—moon magic—carried on the air. Blue mage lights burned in floating lanterns. They hung over thesteps, guiding guests into a ballroom. Paper and silk butterflies and vibrant fae flowers decorated the tables. Magic animated the butterflies so they occasionally fluttered their parchment wings. The band was twice the size of the one that had performed at the feast. They warmed up on a low stage.

Ruby buzzed excitedly from her shoulder-perch. Tomorrow had chosen a dress to match her familiar’s, dotted in pearls and cream in color. It hugged her slender body and flared from her hips into a bell shape that skimmed just above her leather slippers. Mother-of-pearl was pinned in her hair and dangled from her ears. The matching necklace had been wound thrice around Ruby’s neck.

Even with so many eyes on her, she’d been so well pampered that she felt like a duchess—not someone’s bastard or an imposter.

The dance floor gleamed. The chandeliers had been fitted with blue and purple candles. Another strong smell of incense permeated the room, a spell to make it appear like it was snowing inside. Tomorrow held out her hand, and a bright bit of light illusion burst against her gloved palm.

“Beautiful,” she whispered.

“The King of Night knows how to throw a party,” Margot said. “Though I don’t see him or our queen anywhere. No surprise there, though. Rain would rather storm a castle and battle a dragon than face a crowd. I bet they’ve found a nook to hide in.”

“Tomorrow,” Susan asked, her tone dreamy as her gaze found a spot across the ballroom and fixed itself there, “would you mind terribly if Margot and I attended to some work matters while we’re here?”

“Not at all.” Tomorrow craned her neck, trying to see where the madam was staring.

“We do hate to leave you alone,” Susan fretted.

Tomorrow gestured to Ruby perched on her shoulder, wearing her fine dress like she was made for it. She’d even painted the ends of her talons a pearlescent shade.

“I’m never alone,” Tomorrow said fondly.

Ruby primped her ginger hair.

“Susie has someromancingto do,” Margot confided, waggling her brows.

A quick splash of color stained the madam’s cheeks. She batted a hand bashfully at her partner. “Oh, stop.”

Margot sniggered.

“Romance? Not just a good time?” Tomorrow pressed.

Susan gestured at the mortal lord across the way, a tall figure who stood near the punch bowls. “See the fella over there with the impressive mustache?”

“I do!” Tomorrow recalled briefly meeting that same dandy lord during the feast days ago.

“He comes into The Boot every once in a while. He orders the same bland drink and tips large, but he hasn’t quite mustered up the courage to ask for company.” Susan sighed distractedly. “He’s got deep pockets, and he’s shy. I just love it when they’re shy.”

Margot snorted. “I just love the deep pockets—and when they have long legs, and they’re strong enough to spin me around like a top.”

Tomorrow chuckled until she had a stitch in her side. Ruby chittered in her ear. She wanted to know what the courtesan meant by that. Ruby was older than Tomorrow but still a child by fairy standards. Perhaps they should be more careful about what they said around her.

I’ll try to explain later, Tomorrow thought through the link of their souls. Ruby seemed appeased by that.

“I’m going in,” Susan said. She pinched her cheeks, drawing more color out of them. “How’s my face?”

“Perfect as a porcelain doll,” Margot insisted. “Go on then. I’m right behind you.”

---