Page 79 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
“An escort,” she replied offhandedly.
That startled him. Julian’s eyes swept once over the troll.
Her long hair reminded him of dark malachite as it caught the summer sun. She had strong, well-toned muscles that could rival any Martial class, and a warm, playful smile that made him feel like she was hiding a secret. And she was wearing a shade of purple thatalmostmatched his own, though hers was lighter.
After seeing Henrietta and Keith in coordinated, matching outfits, he couldn’t unsee the similarities. He didn’t have a partner for the Summer Masquerade; he’d never stayed long enough to warrant needing one. And if it were anyone else, he’d have politely refused.
But not now. Oddly enough, the idea excited him. He enjoyed her company.
“I would be happy to escort you, Miss Gerda.” He nodded. “When and where should I pick you up?”
Previous Masquerades had started with an hour social where everyone was afforded the opportunity to mingle in costume and enjoy the illusion of anonymity. Because this year’s event was going to act as Julia’s reception, there was also going to be a welcome speech, a toast, dancing, and the unmasking later.
Gerda stopped tapping her chin and smiled down at him. “I can be ready any time. Are yousureyou won’t regret this? After today, there’s probably going to be a target on my head.”
“That’s the role of an escort, is it not?” he teased. “To see you safely there and back again?”
“True.” She nodded.
He would need time to prepare. After this morning, the number of potions in his storage ring were running low. He’d restock extra mana and health potions for the ball, and maybe a few antidotes as well. And he could keep one of the resting rooms locked for her to escape to if she needed it.
“I guess there aresomenice things about being Madame Potts,” Gerda commented.
He shook his head. “I would have said yes even if youweren’tMadame Potts.” Realizing how that could be implied, Julian hurried to explain, “Sinceyouwere the one who saved my sister, not some voice on a Cast. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Gerda nodded at Julian’s shadow. “I couldn’t have done it without John.”
“He’s actually off right now,” Julian told her. He couldn’t imagine having this same conversation with John listening in.
“I thought he wasalwayswith you?” She scrunched her nose, once more speaking about him with certainty.
Just like the first night they’d met.
She had thrown him off because it’d felt strange talking to someone who sounded so intimately sure of him and his ways … now, he knew why. If his bridge troll could see into his future, then she probably knew a great deal about Julian.
“John’s at home with his family; he left after our meeting.” Almost all of the man’s shadows were gone too, leaving only one behind to hang around the celestial in case of an emergency.
“I see.” Gerda glanced back the way she’d come. “I should probably get back to Henrietta before she worries.”
Julian resisted the urge to try and keep her here. He wanted to spend the entire afternoon talking. She was interesting company.
Instead, he stood to leave as well. “Then, why don’t we meet here thirty minutes before the Masquerade?”
“Beforethe Masquerade?” The troll whipped around to face him. Gerda looked confused.
Julian was standing about an arm’s length away and staring straight into her uncertain eyes.
“Ah.” He realized his mistake. “Did you want to go to the tea party together?”
CHAPTER 45
My Favorite Invited Me to the Ball on a Logistical Whim
Gerda
I couldn’t believe my luck.
I’d gone outside to get a moment of fresh air and found the one person I actually wanted to talk to. And he’d even agreed to escort me north. Seeing Julian sitting on a garden bench staring up at me with his piercing silver eyes, I’d felt the need to fan myself from the heat.
