Page 46 of Until the End of Ever
Then she was gone.
I didn’t see a reason to get changed—other than a lot of pacing in the Guard and then baking, I hadn’t done much today, and as Cassiopea herself had said, tonight seemed a casual affair. Heading to the bathroom, I brushed off the flour, opting to change my top after all: it was black, and unsalvageable without soap.
I was standing in front of the open wardrobe in my bra when a change in the air, or perhaps a faint whiff of his scent, alerted me of Lucian’s presence.
I turned, fining him leaning on the doorway, that wicked smirk firmly in place as he watched me.
“I’m half naked,” I pointed out, making a point ofnotcrossing my arms over my chest.
He’d seen it all in any case, and I wasn’t going to act like a shy little ingenue.
“A quarter, at most,” Lucian retorted with an amused chuckle.
I rolled my eyes, redirecting my attention to the wardrobe. It was a family habit to store clothing for guests, apparently.
“Does your family host this kind of party often?” I asked, looking through the many silks and cashmere and grand gowns for something I could pair with my black jeans.
“Party?” he repeated, his steps approaching. “It’s not a party unless a thousand invitations are sent and we open up the ballroom. This is just a casual dinner.”
I shook my head. “And that explains everything there is to know about you.”
“Are you telling me there aren’t constant entertainments in the house of the great Magister Valesco and his White Witch?”
I snorted. “You don’t know my parents. They rent restaurants and entertain outside the house.”
“I don’t think we’ve ever rented—well, anything.”
Again, he was being so much himself I could only laugh.
Lucian was right next to me, his back on the wall. I only then noticed he was holding a large flat box, closed, handing it to me. “Pick something dark to show off the diamonds.”
“Morediamonds?” I squealed, watching the box in his hands suspiciously.
It was quite simply too large. I didn’t trust it one bit.
“You won over my father. Believe it or not, he’s the hard nut to crack in the family. He doesn’t really accept bribes or flattery. For him to like you, you have to show who you are.” He opened the lid.
I didn’t faint. That’s all there was to say about my reaction. The undignified squeal coming out of me, followed by a high-pitched, “I can’t wear that!” were downright hysterical.
Inside the box, there was a strange, unique piece of jewelry, or perhaps armor, if it wasn’t considered regalia. I didn’t know how to define what I saw. Metal, but as soft and malleable as silk, braided in large squares, the piece formed a cape of sorts. At each intersection, a bright diamond gleamed.
I wanted to study it. Worship it. Stare at it for hours. I could not wear it. Certainly not at a casual affair.
“It forms a constellation?” I guessed.
He grinned. “Cassiopea. Father made it. He’s not one for jewelry much, but he wanted her to feel comfortable putting on some plain, regular clothing, from time to time. Mother always feels like she has to put on the show, remind the world who she is.”
A feeling she had instilled in her son.
“With this, she could go out in yoga pants.”
“No one would wear a literal constellation of bloody diamonds with yoga pants.”
“Shows what you know.” Lucian pulled out a simple, dark blue long-sleeved blouse, which, under the cape, would make it seem like the night sky against stars. “This will do nicely.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. This is acasual evening. I saw other people in jeans!”
He shrugged. “We Regises don’t reallydocasual. Or when we do, we elevate it.”
