Page 72 of Trials of Dusk and Dreams
The tower door opens. I step forward, eager to escape, but he grabs my arm.
“You’re beautiful again, Willow. Haven’t you asked yourself why?”
“What are you insinuating?”
“I don’t need to. The evidence is in the mirror. It’s in the way they follow you around like lecherous freaks.”
Rage burns cold inside me. “Now you’re saying I’m a slut who traded sexual favors for beauty?”
“That’s not what I meant.” His grip tightens.
“I’m sure you’ve done deplorable things for those charms, Alfie,” I hiss. “You’ve been here for years. I’m not rubbing your face in it, am I?”
“So you admit it?” he scowls. “You’re fucking them.”
“Shh,” I glare. “Keep your voice down.”
“Why? Are you conducting a forbidden affair with your Radiants?”
“I was cursed, youfloater,” I snarl, fisting his shirt. “And I broke it myself. That’s why I’m not ugly anymore.”
I shove him away and return to Geraldine and Max as Bodin reappears. His eyes narrow at my expression, but I look away.
Just as we’re about to enter, Peablossom’s voice resonates from our pocket stones.“Hark, cherished blossoms of Avorlorna!”Peablossom’s sing-song voice chimes from the rocks in our pockets, resonating with an otherworldly timbre.“I bear tidings most wondrous and fair!”
The crowd falls silent, enraptured by her melodic tones.
“Our most luminous and benevolent Regent, Lord Robin Goodfellow—now graced as the Shining Host of the illustrious Baleful Hunt—has, in his infinite wisdom, crafted a glorious opportunity for the advancement of our beloved exhibitors. This boon comes in light of recent whispers on the wind.”
A collective gasp, like a breeze through autumn leaves, ripples through the crowd.
“The Winter Solstice Ball, that most enchanted of gatherings, shall feature an announcement to dazzle and delight. Thus, your daily learnings are suspended for this turn of the sun. Return to your dwellings and adorn yourselves in finery befitting our revelry. Embrace this unexpected boon of freedom!”
When no one moves, she adds with a lilt of forced merriment,“Off you flutter, dear ones! Embrace the dance of chance and change. And remember, as surely as the stars shine . . . we are ever smiling.”
The crowd disperses excitedly, but beneath the surface, anxiety simmers. Exhibitors wear smiles that don’t reach their eyes.
I push closer to Bodin. “What just happened?”
His jaw tightens. “Goodfellow.”
The fucker hadn’t filled his meddling quota after all.
Chapter 30
Willow
Dusk settles as we approach the Ivory Palace for the Winter Solstice Ball. The crisp air carries notes of pine and frost, mingling with the heady aroma of spiced wine wafting from within. The soft crunch of snow beneath our feet and the distant tinkle of enchanted bells add to the winter symphony. My breath forms small clouds in the frigid air, and I shiver, pulling my shirt tighter around me.
When we read that the ball included costumes, the team thought channeling something nostalgic would be great. Geraldine wears a swashbuckling pirate ensemble, Peggy is in a rose-adorned bathrobe, and Max wears something called a “Jedi Knight” robe, but I think he just stole a Keeper of the Cauldron’s robe and ripped off the emblem. I’m secretly proud of him. I have zero creativity apart from the little acorn pinned in my hair. The stolen treasure is the perfect understated adornment to complement my other stolen prize, Bodin’s work shirt and trousers.
It’s cold, butWell-damn,it feels good to be out. Tonight, I finally get to have fun with my friends.
Our excitement wanes as we near our destination, replaced by a growing unease. Goodfellow’s sudden decision to move theball from the Nexus gnaws at my mind, but curiosity overtakes suspicion as the decorations come into view.
The palace gleams like a fallen star, its spires reaching heavenward. Delicate ice sculptures line the path, refracting light from countless floating lanterns. Garlands of winter blooms and shimmering frost adorn every window, transforming the palace into a winter wonderland—the air thrums with anticipation and magic.
Our haphazardly sourced costumes are a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour.
