Page 45 of Dark Night Golden Dawn
“Only part way done,” Riley said, gesturing to their visage. “Thea was kind enough to offer to do my eyes.”
Their voice was rich and the cadence of their words slow and measured, as though they had never been anxious or flustered in their life. Their fawn-colored eyes were long lashed and the faint glow of gold highlighter shone on their clear, brown skin. Outside of the Illuminated and Thea, Harlow had never seen such an intensely beautiful person. Or perhaps their beauty might be better described as handsome. Whichever way she thought of it, their allure was beyond just looks, but seemed to emanate from a deeper place that spoke of a truer grace, with no small helping of acute intelligence.
“It’s so good to see you again, Riley,” she said with a smile.
They hugged her immediately, and she felt the electric current of their empathy. It made a stronger impression now that they were in close contact. Harlow had never felt empathic power like this before. She wondered what the depths of Riley’s power actually were, or if they even knew.
“Wow, that’s amazing,” she murmured as a wave of reassurance smoothed her frayed nerves. “You’re brilliant at that.”
“And you are something else… aren’t you?” Riley asked, eyes alight with interest.
Harlow’s eyes narrowed with wary concern. Empaths couldn't help but pick up the surface details of other people’s thoughts and feelings, but only extremely rare empaths could sense things like the depths of other immortals’ manifestations. From the wide-eyed wonder in Riley’s eyes, she sensed they knew about her shadow magic.
“I won’t say a word,” Riley murmured. “But Enzo will be able to tell, too. Your secret is safe with us.”
“But is it safe with the Rogue Queen?” Harlow asked.
Riley poured Harlow a mimosa, their eyes glittering with some secret knowledge. “I see no reason to tell her, at this juncture. You’ll show the world soon enough, I think.”
They handed her the mimosa and as she sipped it, Riley added, “But if shedidknow about you, Harlow, you could trust her to keep your secret.”
Harlow wasn’t sure if it was Riley’s empathy at work on her, or just a sense she had, but she trusted what they said. Though it did spark a wave of curiosity about the Rogue Queen. From the very little she’d heard about the Rogue Order, asking about them would do no good. They were notoriously secretive. Her shadows pressed on her conscious mind in a warm, pleasurable way that signaled approval, though for what she wasn’t certain.
Internally, she asked,Do you like Riley?
The answer was emphatically positive. Her magic liked Riley, and everyone in this room. These people made it feel safe and strong. She marveled at the wordless way it communicated until she noticed Riley’s raised eyebrows and faint smile.
Just as Harlow was about to explain herself, Enzo brought her dress out from the bedroom, hanging it on the rack with the rest of the garments for the evening. “What are the two of you discussing?”
Harlow hugged him, opening herself up to his empathy fully and directing the shadows,Show him in a way he can understand.
“Oh,” he said, raising his dark eyebrows as she pulled away. “Oh… Harlow. Your magic… It’s beautiful.”
She smiled as he kissed her cheeks. Riley’s arm went around his waist and the two of them smiled at her like proud parents.
“Are you talking about me?” she asked after a moment. They were nodding as though having a silent conversation.
“Oh! Sorry, yes,” Riley said, a bright smile lighting their face.
Enzo brushed a kiss on Riley’s sharp cheekbones. “Easy to forget that others can’t hear us. Sorry, Harls. Riley’s right, your secret is safe with us. After Solon Mai, I’d love to see what you can do.”
Harlow nodded, glad they knew. She had a feeling she would need allies soon, more than just her parents and sisters. Besides, Enzo had always been her family, and if he chose Riley, they would be her family too. Thea danced over and dragged Riley away from Enzo’s embrace to finish their glamour.
Harlow watched them go, smiling faintly as Riley twirled Thea to the music. They were a graceful dancer, and some small part of her warned that with grace like that they’d probably be deadly in a fight. She wondered where that thought came from, tilting her head slightly as Enzo poured himself a mimosa. Finally, she said, “I like them. Things are moving quickly though, is that all right?”
Enzo nodded, watching Thea and Riley discuss their vision for Riley’s glamour. “Empath to empath pairings are intense. Riley’s mother was a sorcière, which as you know is very rare. Though Riley can’t wield magic as a witch would, their empathy is stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. We immediately felt at home with one another.”
That made sense, and Harlow’s shadows danced at the explanation. They liked the two of them together.Are you sure Riley’s safe?she asked. Her magic swirled inside her, comforting her with a reassuring warmth that she hoped she could depend on. She certainly wanted to.
“I’m happy for you.” Harlow hugged her friend. “Will you help me get into my gown?”
Enzo looked at her appraisingly. “Are you doing your face by hand?”
“Not tonight,” she replied. “I’m feeling a bit tired from the last few days.”
Enzo nodded, putting his mimosa down to fetch her dress. Harlow slipped out of her sweats and Enzo helped her into the gossamer lace gown. One he had her buttoned up, she waited for Thea. Indigo and Meline were resplendent, already dressed in matching black damask ball gowns. They didn’t always dress alike, but tonight they were a vision of similarities, the only difference between them the color of their hair. Meline’s shone with the same honey-gold sheen as her own, while Indigo’s was darker than both Thea and Larkin’s.
“So Larkin is staying home?” Enzo’s eyebrows furrowed with concern. “She doesn’t seem upset.”
