Page 292 of The Wishing Game

"The wraith just paid me a visit. But I've been thinking about withdrawing for a while now. If I get caught, things will be much worse."

"You... You're not mad at me?"

She shakes her head, slowly moving toward me. She offers me her hand and I take it, letting her pull me up. My heart is still beating loudly in my chest, my anxiety a low hum in my ears that becomes more and more distant.

"Is that why you were crying? Oh, Luce. You're too sweet." She smiles as she pats my head. But as her eyes dip lower to my chest, she observes the obvious too. "What..." she mumbles, blinking repeatedly.

"I don't know what happened. Yesterday, the marks were there. Today...it's only this." I point to the star above my breast. "But I'm not sure what it means."

"You need to talk to my mother. She might be able to help you."

My lips tremble as I gaze at her. Ze had said I shouldn't show my marks to anyone who might recognize ancient Tartareian. But what if thisisn'tancient Tartareian? What if it's something completely different?

"Okay," I nod. "When can I see her?"

"Anytime after the ball. Everyone is busy setting up everything for tonight now."

"Tonight..." I repeat with a frown. My eyes widen as it dawns on me that today is the day of Wyn's debut. Time passed so quickly and I've been so busy that I'm ashamed to say I... forgot.

"I was on my way to you to help you with your hair and makeup. There are certain expectations for a society ball..." Thea drones on as she explains that unmarried women are expected to dress their hair and do their makeup in a specific fashion. Even as I attempt to protest that I'm married, she shushes me, telling me it doesn't really count since I have no husband.

The statement hurts, but it's true. Nikki has been missing for a while now. But even if hewerehere, would I just go to the ball with a shadow on my arm?

The thought makes me crack a smile.

"Let's do this, then," I tell her.

She winks at me and quickly runs to bring her supplies. Meanwhile, I shower and place the dress I'd gotten for the ball on the bed, careful not to wrinkle it. It's a beautiful mix of white and pink tulle, all tied together with a wide pink belt at the waist.

When Thea returns, she does my makeup, applying a glow foundation, some blush to my cheeks, and a dash of highlighter on my cheekbones. For my eyes, she goes for a clean and natural look, with a thin black liner, mascara, and a dot of highlighter in my inner corners and in the middle of my lower lid. Next is my hair, and she curls it before adorning it with a myriad of pink bows to match my dress. Apparently, unmarried females must aim to look innocent and young to attract the attention of a potential suitor. I refrain from telling Thea that I'm not looking for any suitor. Since this is the way people dress for such occasions, who am I to say no? When in Rome, you do as the Romans do, no?

She helps me slide into my dress before she circles around me to make sure everything is in order.

"Perfect," she declares with a smile.

"What about you? You've spent so much time on me, when are you going to get ready?" I ask as I look at the clock. It's already afternoon. The ball is supposed to start in a few hours...

She snaps her fingers and her hair is already curly, her red locks complemented by blue bows. Her dress, too, changes. She's now wearing a light blue gown with an empire waist and a light skirt. The detailing on her dress is a dark blue to match her hair accessories.

"I just need to do my makeup. But that's easy," she says, quickly grabbing a mirror and starting on her face. It takes her a few minutes to expertly do a light but beautiful look. She uses a blue liner for her eyes and a peach-red blush to accentuate her cheeks.

"I'm done," she smiles. "Why don't we go check on Wyn and we can all go to the ballroom together at eight?"

I nod, and together, we go to Wyn's room in the other wing of the house. A cry resounds from inside the room, and we both barge inside.

Wyn is in the middle of the room with two seamstresses next to her, trying to help her put on her gown.

"I don't like it," she cries out, tears falling down her cheeks.

"Wyn?" Thea calls her name as she rushes toward her sister.

"I don't like it, Thea. I want my old dress back."

"Oh, sweetie. You know you couldn't have worn that dress anyway."

"I would have worn it," she declares staunchly between hiccups. "I don't care if everyone hated me for it, but at leastIwould have loved it."

"Wynwyn, we've already talked about this. I thought you agreed to stop pining after Aethon. He's not going to come to your ball. No one even knows where he is!"

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