Page 45 of The Coveted
“No,” Taryn suddenly said, breaking away from my grasp. The rush of power halted and dissipated back out into the realm.
I pulled my hands away. “What happened? What did you see?”
She took another step back, her face twisting up into shock, then anger, then a firm resolve. She put up a wall, one I’d seen Daelon construct many times before. “I want nothing to do with any of that. I’m sorry.”
My heart pounded hard and loud in my chest, like the onslaught of a freight train. “To do with what?” What had my power just done? What had she seen?
“Oh, drop it, Áine,” she spat. “Drop the act. It’s just not me.”
“What’s not—”
“You’ve made a mistake.” Her energy curled back into itself like a frightened animal, hissing and spitting.
“Okay,” I said slowly, my hands raised in defeat. How in the hot hell was I supposed to damage controlthis? I didn’t even know whatthiswas. It felt like some screws in the foundation of our cosmic plan were loosening, threatening to topple the whole thing. “I don’t know what you saw. I’m sure it was scary and new. Maybe it shook your view of reality. But you need to calm down. Let me explain. You—”
“Don’t you tell me what to do. Just be grateful that I’m not running to the King right now. And that’s only because I have a healthy sense of self-preservation.”
I swallowed. I watched helplessly as she backed out of the room. The way she looked at me, frightened and repulsed, drove shards of ice right into my heart.
The sound of the door slamming sent a shiver down the length of my spine.
Well, that’s just great. Is that what was supposed to happen?I asked into the depths of my power. Again, I was met with silence.
I was told so many times to have faith and to trust the unwritten plan. This song carried in pieces scattered all over the realm and in my enemies’ lair, but what about free will? What about people who wanted nothing to do with this secret coup for balance? Whatever Taryn saw, she clearly had no interest in. What was I supposed to do now?
I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and it stopped me in my tracks. My copper hair fell in full, loose curls, and Taryn had expertly matched my makeup to the outfit, with full, pink lips and a more subtle smoky eye. The dress was captivating, utterly entrancing, like a piece of the higher realms come to life. When I looked deep into its hues, the feelings of confusion melted away. There was something buried in the threading of this gown—magick that language held no words for.
Soon Sebastian was at my door, and when he looked at me, I wondered if Taryn had been right about the dress, after all. Maybe itwastoo much—too strange in the face of a castle consumed by empty pleasures and shallow lust. Sebastian wore a more traditional tuxedo. It was accented with the color of my gown, but even if it was the exact same shade, it didn’t match. Not quite. There was something missing.
“There are no words,” he said, his voice thick. “This has to be Clarice’s best work yet. She’s been telling everyone what an inspiration you were, and I, of course, had to agree. You’re a muse,” he said, and I had to consciously remind myself not to flinch when he raised a hand slowly to my face. I smiled politely. “You’re also quite… chaste.”
I raised a brow.
He put up his hands quickly with a dimpled grin. “Not a bad thing. I’ve actually quite enjoyed the change of pace.”
Yet another piece was unscrewing. I was running out of time in this faux relationship, and I feared there was no easy way out. “Sebastian, I—”
He raised his hand to my face again, stroking my cheek delicately. “You’re getting over someone. I know. We’ve all been there.”
I nodded. Was Lucius the one he had to get over? Nope. I couldn’t think about that if I wanted to dance the night away with Prince Charming without losing my lunch. “I think I’m still getting used to this realm.”
“I think this realm is still getting used toyou,” he said with a grin. “There’s just something about you…”
I fought the urge to roll my eyes at the line. It looked like human and witch men weren’t so different after all. “It’s my sharp wit.”
He eyed me for a moment, bemused. “As much as I’d love to spend more time alone with you, we have dancing to do. There will be time for that after,” he said with a flirtatious smile.
Oh no.
“Speaking of alone time, where in the heavens is yourlady’s maid?”
Taryn would absolutely gut him if she heard him call her that. I tried not to make a face. “She said she’d meet us there,” I lied.
He shrugged, offering me an arm.
If I hated all the eyes on me before, I was downright stupid for wearing a magickal, shimmering cosmos dress, especially when there were already whispers and rumors flying about. Like, seriously stupid. But just as I had been called to the shattered remains of my people’s land, something ancient and transcendent—something I was keeping safe inside of me—created this dress. The least I could do was show it off. It felt like an act of resistance, maybe even worship.
The throne room had been transformed again, this time revealing a witchy winter wonderland theme, complete with sparkling crystal chandeliers, grand ice sculptures of animals that could move, and ethereal golden and white art on the ceiling and walls. There was a golden carpet laid out in front of the entrance, so that everyone could take a look at each guest’s outfit.
