Page 74 of Trials of Dusk and Dreams
“Dearest confection.” She refits her smile, but it’s tight. “Why are you wearing that monstrosity?”
“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.
Geraldine balks. “I thought this was a fancy dress ball.”
“Oh my, when I spoke of costumes, I envisioned regalia, not the garb of jesters.” Peablossom’s lips purse. She scolds Bodin quietly, long enough for him to appear abashed before he growls something back. The clamor and music are too loud for me to pick out their words. But we’ve clearly fucked up somewhere.
“Um. So it’s not a costume ball?” I ask. Blood drains from my cheeks when I take in all the other exhibitors wearing formal and extravagant clothing.
An unhinged laugh peels out of Peablossom.
“Are you alright?” I ask her. It’s been a while since we’ve had a moment together. Puck’s new power would surely cause waves in the palace staff.
She doesn’t hear my concern. That wild look in her eyes grows. “Alas, the sands of time fall too swiftly for alterations. You must grace the pageant just as you are, dear heart.”
“It’s fine,” Bodin adds, scowling at the ballroom. “We don’t need a pageant for a sponsor. She has us.”
“I’m afraid, just like the moon’s attempt to capture the sun, the parade is not negotiable, Sweet Bodin.” Peablossom’s tonegentles for him. “Whether you seek charms or not for your Shadow, the points alone are simply vital to gain a temporal edge in the trials. The leaderboard is already afoot and hanging on the wall for all to see.”
She gestures at a tapestry on the far wall between two ice sculptures shaped like the Holly King’s jovial, wintery face. A space in the center is marked from one to ten for names.
“Points?” his brow furrows.
“I explained this last week.” She cocks her head, perturbed. “Do you not recall? Such boons are bestowed only outside of one’s own house. This is why I worked on her wardrobe so tirelessly.”
So, having six Radiants in the House of Shadow means nothing to us. We’ll have to gain favor from other houses.
Bodin’s expression darkens with frustration as he realizes his memory has failed him again. The apologetic look he gives me breaks my heart. It’s not his fault, but his self-disparagement tells me he thinks it is.
“I will speak with Legion,” he offers, stepping away.
“Fear not.” Peablossom halts him by taking his wrist. “I will swoop in like a swallow and save the day again for my cherubs. No need to lay another burden on our Knight Commander’s silken head.”
“We will owe you,” Bodin mutters.
“Add this to the tally and just remember . . .” Unreadable emotion flickers in her eyes. She swallows and directs the next part to me. “Just remember your allies at the end. Off you all go, into the line. Chop-chop.”
“Even me?” Peggy balks, looking at Bodin. “I thought I’d forfeited.”
“Forfeited?” Peablossom squeals. “Goodness, no, dear. There’s a long process for that.”
“It’s started,” Bodin assures her.
“Perhaps adhere to the customary steps,” Peablossom advises gently. “Align yourself with the others, and by the time the next gathering beckons, you shall have gracefully exited the Nexus system.”
Peggy’s eyes lock with mine. Something about her fluffy gown makes her seem old and vulnerable. I squeeze her shoulder and say, “If Bodin said he’ll get you out, he will. Don’t worry.”
I trust my mate to follow through with this. If he doesn’t, I’ll live up to his nickname for me. We start walking toward the dais at the front of the room, but Peablossom stops me.
“I’ll catch up,” I tell them, watching them shuffle onward with remarkably less vigor than we arrived with.
With a covert look at my pin, Peablossom says, “Such a captivating trinket adorning your hair, Shadow. Pray, where did you acquire it?”
Oh shit. She called me Shadow. I’m in trouble.
“Um.”
“I gave it to her,” Bodin says.
