Page 29 of Lore of the Wicked Wood
Everinne didn’t pay attention to the two who stayed behind, instead her gaze was drawn to the rack of costumes full of shimmering fabrics and exquisite accessories. She ran her fingers along the satins and silks, toyed idly with the beaded fringe and lace detailing. Since this was her audition, she knew she would have to choose something eye-catching, something that would leave the audience wanting more.
She opted for a bodysuit of sheer red satin with tiny crystals that coveredjustenough skin. Since it was sleeveless, she put on a pair of gloves that came up over her elbows and sheer thigh-high stockings with fire rubies dotting the back seam. Her hair was unruly, so she twisted it back into a simple braid, nothing compared to the elaborate styles some of the other females wore.
Stealing a hasty look in one of the mirrors, she shrugged.
Good enough.
“Oh,milazk,” a female voice crooned. “You cannot go on stage without your face.”
“Without my face?” Everinne turned and faced a female with vivid blue eyes and wild hot pink curls that hung loosely around her shoulders. Her pointy ears marked her as fae, and when she smiled, her dimples winked. She was dressed in a pale blue skirt that was shockingly short and embroidered with fine silver lace. The top she wore was the same color, but it was nothing morethan a teensy corset, and the lace overlay reminded Everinne of intricate snowflakes.
“You want the audience to be able to see you underneath the lights.” The female took Everinne’s hand and ushered her to sit in a chair in front of one of the vanities. She gestured to the wide array of makeup scattered across its marble surface. “May I?”
“Um…yes.” Everinne sat, praying to the goddess that she wouldn’t end up wearing so much that she would have to scrape it off later before she went to bed. “Of course.”
“Wonderful.” The female instantly set to work, dabbing a rosy pink cream onto Everinne’s cheeks. “I’m Aisling.”
“Everinne.” She closed her eyes as the fae named Aisling dusted gold powder onto her lids. Then she peeked one open.
“That’s a lovely name.” Aisling swirled a tiny brush with a thin tip into a pot of black liner and Everinne closed her eyes again. “Is tonight your first show?”
“More or less,” Everinne murmured as Aisling slowly slid the brush along the length of her eyelids, fanning them out to a sharp point. “I’m auditioning.”
Aisling laughed, low and sensual. The tempting sound of it caused Everinne’s eyes to flutter open.
“No one auditions, Everinne.” Aisling applied a tint to her lashes next, lengthening and curling them. Then she grabbed a lipstick, a fiery red shade with an opalescent sheen. “If you’re performing, it means Reine already knows you’ll be a perfect addition.”
Those wretched nerves flickered inside of Everinne once more, but she crushed them. If she could swing from the chandeliers at the Grand Cru without giving a fuck about anyone or anything else, then she could certainly dance on a hoop. Her mind already knew the moves, her body would simply follow the music.
“There.” Aisling spun her back toward the mirror. “What do you think?”
A gasp slipped from between her lips before she could stop it.
The reflection of the female gazing back at her was hardly recognizable. Oh, she knew she was looking at herself, those turquoise eyes with rings of gold around her pupils were a dead giveaway. But other than that, it looked as though she was wearing a mask. A striking mask of beauty that hid the painful magic inside her. It had been so long since she’d truly looked at herself in a mirror, since she’d been able to face the darkness inside of her. Now, here it was, staring back at her, beneath layers of powder and glitter.
A pretty little monster.
“Do you like it?” Aisling asked, an almost indiscernible tremble in her voice.
It jarred Everinne from the swirling torment of her thoughts. She looked up at Aisling and smiled. “Can you make me look like this every time?”
Aisling’s husky laugh filled the dressing room once more. “I’d love nothing more.”
She grabbed Everinne’s hand and pulled her to her feet. “Come on, I’ll take you up to Reine.”
Then she leaned close and whispered. “You’ll own the night, I just know it.”
Everinne followed Aisling back through the radiant quarters below the menagerie. Together they climbed another spiral staircase, but this one didn’t lead to the same place as before. Instead, it deposited them right below the base of the main stage.
Reine stood at the top of the stairs, waiting. When she caught sight of Everinne, her brows lifted with approval and a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
Everinne approached her and Reine reached out to cup her cheek. “Captivating. Absolutely captivating.”
Aisling squeezed her hand once, then disappeared back down the steps, and Reine helped her up onto the stage. Bronze gossamer curtains fell in a wide circle, obscuring her from the audience. She could see through them, but they could not see her. The scent of magic, heavy and dense like citrus and woods, hung in the air.
Glamour.
Reine snapped her fingers again, and this time a solid gold hoop appeared. She handed it to Everinne and as she slid her fingers around the cool metal, a thrill of exhilaration coursed through her. The spark of energy sent her blood rushing with anticipation, despite the goosebumps pebbling across her flesh.
