Page 45 of Deadwood
Perhaps that was why my father never spoke of or attended the festival.
Lander’s mother had given me the dress I was wearing, having it specifically made to match the mask she’d gifted me. Though it was still Amosite’s typical garnet colors, the detailing through the dress was intricately beautiful, making it feel like my own rather than something I was forced to wear. The full skirt was a deep maroon with bits of sheer black fabric spread throughout the folds while the bodice carried the same black lace as the mask. It stretched above the top of the corset, looking slightly risqué against my skin. Given the nature of the holiday, I’d chosen to ignore that bit. For the first time, I felt pretty in my kingdom’s colors.
I crossed the gardens, maneuvering around a few large groups of people drinking and laughing. Before attempting to find Lander in the crowd, I grabbed a glass of berry wine from a nearby table, downing it to shove aside my nerves. I savored the rich flavor as I inhaled the scent of smoke from the bonfire and the distant smell of roasting pork. I’d been to many balls before, but never anything like this. I couldn’t help the nerves being tossed around in my stomach like a boat on rocky water.
“Enjoying yourself?” Paxon asked, striding up beside me.
I coughed after gulping down the last drop of the sweet wine. Clearing my throat, I set the glass back on the table. “I’ve only been here a couple minutes, but so far, I am.”
He wore a dark green three-piece suit, every inch of it perfectly tailored for him. “This is what you get to look forward to in marrying a Bular.”
“A once-a-year holiday celebration?”
He turned, and I followed his gaze to find Lander swaying around the bonfire, a handle of bourbon in his grip.
“Lander’s habits are not of my concern,” I said, understanding what he was trying to say.
Paxon faced me with a raised brow. “No?”
I shook my head. “He’s enjoying his life.”
“He’s ruined it.”
“He doesn’t look ruined to me.”
Paxon sighed, reaching past me to grab a drink. “The people think he’s a joke. A spectacle to laugh at when he overindulges in alcohol or wastes vials of magic by gambling them all away.”
“He bets magic?” I’d never heard of such a thing. I was aware that people with an abundance of vials were considered rich, but I never would’ve thought they’d be used in a game of luck.
Paxon slowly sipped from his glass before replying, “It’s a dangerous addiction. But perhaps the citizens of our kingdom will overlook it once they fall in love with you.”
“I highly doubt that will come anytime soon.” Being the daughter of a greedy, selfish king wasn’t a good look, as I’d come to find.
“Perhaps magic could persuade them,” he said, watching me carefully.
What he was insinuating would never happen. People kept secrets for a reason, and mine couldn’t be revealed.
“Perhaps,” was all I said before heading into the throng.
The nearby flames from the bonfire warmed my bare arms and shoulders while the wine heated my cheeks. A small band played off to the side, and many danced with their partners to the beat. In a flash, I was pulled into the embrace of a man, and I blinked to find Lander grinning down at me. He smelled of booze, but he looked happy, smiling from ear to ear. He swung me around until the song was over, then another upbeat tune began, and he passed me to another dancer. Everyone traded partners every few steps or so, and I threw my head back with a laugh, letting the music and wine flow through me as it fueled the joyous race of my heart.
Halfway through the song, I twirled into the arms of another man, his hands gripping my arms stronger than the rest, but the buzz nearly made me blind to it. The stranger didn’t spin me like the others. In fact, he kept me quite close to his stiff chest.
“Enjoying the last night of your life?” he asked, his voice low and close to my ear.
My feet stumbled slightly as we continued moving while it took me a moment to process what he’d said. “I’m sorry?” I tried to pull back to get a better look at him, but he held me in place. To anyone else, it’d look as if we were simply dancing.
His fingers dug harder into my shoulder. “Oblivious thing, aren’t you?”
My heart skipped.Play dumb. Act naïve.
“I’m not sure what you mean.” I mustered as much confidence behind my words as I could.
The hand pressed to my lower back slid around to my waist and gripped, the tips of his fingers brushing the underside of my breast through my corset.
“I have to ask you to let me go.” I tried to keep the fear from my voice, but it shook anyway. Were there people here to kill me?
“I don’t take orders from weak little bitches like you.”
