Page 98 of Violet

“Where’s Quinn?”

“Annoying Heath. We’re going to the event with the family, so… Stephan is downstairs waiting for you, and I’m not into him but oh, boy, does he lookfine.” She fans herself then starts to fuss, redoing my hair and putting my mask on for me.

I slide my feet into the shoes and put my mini pad into the bag, unsure if I need to have it, and then I head to the door.

“Stop.”

“What is it? Have I done the dress up wrong?”

“No, but…” She holds out the blocker which I forgot. I apply it. “Now, go down and wow him.”

Stephan’s eyes light up when he sees me, and the dread that came over me each step down vanishes, replaces by adeep warmth that radiates out. In that moment, I could walk in the sky, conquer my fears.

It’s a fantasy, a fallacy, but one I indulge in for a few precious seconds.

“You look beautiful.”

“So do you,” I breathe.

Heath crosses his arms. “You two are going ahead of us. The Monarch wants a private word, apparently. Behave, Ashford. I’ll know otherwise.”

“Really? Are you spying? That’s disgusting.” Quinn sidles up to him and pinches his cheek but he swats her away. “What’s the matter,Heather? Jealous?”

He glares at her. “And all the men are knocking atyourdoor, Beta?”

“Heath,” Iris says.

“You two make such a beautiful couple. I’m just sure you’ll make the most perfect babies,” Mom says, and Stephan and I both instantly stiffen.

“Er—thanks, Mrs. Gardener,” he replies. “We should go.”

Rue bounces over. “Asher got us dresses, too. I could just die! It’s almost as good as the Trixi loot he sent.”

“Wait, what?” Mari rushes over. “Us too?”

“No way.” Dahlia’s getting up from the piano.

As pandemonium breaks out, I drag Stephan out the door.

The limo is impressive, and I’d be impressed if I wasn’t suddenly overwhelmed with a rush of nerves. Stephan sitsopposite, and he opens a bottle of champagne and pours me a glass.

I study him as I take it. “You look different. More…Emporia.”

He’s in a slender black suit to match my dress, which I’m assuming is also wildly expensive. I can catch glimpses of his socks that match the color of my lingerie. And heat pours through me.

Heat at the thought that I’m wearing something so sexy. At the thought that maybe he picked it out himself. And color coordinated with it.

The mask he’s wearing doesn’t stop me seeing the glint in those dark brown eyes, and his scruff is trimmed, along with his hair. There’s a ring in onyx on his pinkie and one on his other thumb, and while I’ve never thought about jewelry on men, I like it on him.

There’s something wildly dashing and sophisticated. Hot.

Or maybe that’s just him.

I gulp the champagne and glance out the darkened window, right as he presses a button that rolls up the privacy screen between us and the driver. “This isn’t the way to the party. At least, I don’t think it is…”

“Fuck Sophine. She can wait.” He tosses back his own drink, and his eyes glitter as he slides over to me, his hand slipping up along my thigh.

Everything goes into freefall. My heart beats wildly, and I can’t think.

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