Page 150 of Iris
I’ve spent time in Pen’s mansion, but I’ve never known a huge ballroom lies past the grand room, now set up to look like a covered outdoor area. There are some people outside, I note, but most people want to be inside, near the wonders that Pen, Mom, and Mari came up with.
“This is what I want for my mating ceremony.” Rue looks around, big eyed, and taking it in. “All of it.”
“You want a crowd?” I ask.
Her eyes shine. “Yes!” Then under the lamps that dot everywhere, like they would in a magical garden, Rue blushes. “Not the entire thing. Just the crowd part.”
I hide my smile by biting my cheek and glance at Vi, who’s also blushing. Stephan suddenly crowds her, taking her hand and whisking her away to sit somewhere, like the world’s most protective mother hen.
Eyes are on me, the ones beyond the crowd, and they make my skin tingle. Xavier is here. I can sense him, just like I did while at the coffee shop, so I look around, frustration suddenly climbing.
And like at the coffee shop, I don’t see him…
How can a man so big manage to turn invisible?
My mini pings, and I glance at it. My heart sinks. It’s a dance request reminder with Miles von Detten, who I think I met in the melee of Alphas that Heath forced me out with.
It’s in ten minutes… Do I have time to run?
But Heath’s hovering nearby, ignoring the girls flirting with him, and he basically sends me an eyeball message to get my ass in there.
I smile so widely at him that his eyes narrow to slits, and I can feel the radiating thunder roll off him, even from here.
So I turn and make my way through the guests, ignoring snubbers and greeters alike.
Rue trots at my side, nodding, waving, saying hello and thank you in my stead, like my own little servant.
“Stop that,” I hiss.
“Make me,” she says, flinging her hand and knocking a glass of purple bubbly all over the white of a dowager’s dress. It’s just on the front panel. The rest in shades of blue to darkest blue.
Rue sees, straightens the glass and bows. “So sorry.”
Then she scampers in front of me, making others hastily get out of my way as her flailing waves and swinging arms are now considered a danger.
There’s a flash of bright red hair by the side doors—Quinn—but she slides back into the shadows as more guests spill inside. I’ll find her later.
When Rue and I reach Mom and Pen, Rue rushes off to meet up with a group of kids her age.
“Oh, the dress looks perfect,” Mom gushes, touching the thick shoulder strap to almost detached sleeves. “Is it okay?”
“I thought we were going with the black one with the dark red roses on it, but this is better.” I look at her, then spin. “It’s stunning, Mom. Thank you.”
I hug her, and her sigh of happiness is all the reward I need. I didn’t lie—it is stunning. And I know she took the time to consider my personal style with the choice. It means a lot.
I’m feeling, as Emmie might say, every bit a queen in it.
When she lets me go, I turn and scan the crowd.
No Xavier.
No Killian.
At least one of them should be here. Xavier asked for a dance, and I didn’t think that was a joke… They’re involved in the drinks, maybe even the food. But what I want is them to be here for me.
“Looking for someone, Miss Gardener?” Penrith leans close to me and whispers as my mom strolls off to welcome more guests.
“Me?” She doesn’t say so, but she means my Alphas. “I was hoping Quinn would come.”
