Page 95 of The King's Weapon

She threw a pair of simple black cotton trousers at Kallie.

Kallie slid off the leather pants and pulled on the new ones. Once she had them on, she spun in a slow circle. When she faced the two women, Dani and Myra were both smiling.

"Yep, that did it." Dani smiled at her own success and turned to the clothes she brought with her. "Put your hair up though," she said while she changed.

Kallie walked back toward Myra who began brushing her hair, which was nearly dry, into a ponytail.

Dani approached them wearing a pair of black, loose, linen trousers and a white corset. The corset was practically see-through beside the boning that provided its structure and the small bit of fabric over her chest.

Myra, observing all three of their outfits in the mirror, asked, voice quiet and skeptical, "Where exactly are we going?"

Dani smiled. "You'll see. It's a tavern of sorts, one of our favorite spots."

Myra's gaze met Kallie's, and Kallie shrugged, having been given the same information as Myra.

They finished getting ready. Lining their eyes with coal, putting a little rouge on their cheeks and lips. Then once Dani had given her final approval, they threw on their shoes and set out to meet the rest of their group downstairs.

As they walked down the steps to the main doors of the palace, Fynn's laughter echoed off the walls. Turning around the corner of the staircase, Kallie spotted Fynn and Terin facing the staircase with Graeson standing in front of them. At the sound of heels on the stone steps, Fynn's eyes caught on Dani and a wide smile split his face in two.

Kallie's gaze, however, slipped past Fynn and was stuck on the man next to him. With his back facing away from her, Graeson had not seen her yet. But Fynn's reaction dragged his attention away, and Graeson's eyes immediately landed on Kallie. And she stopped breathing for a moment.

Graeson’s jaw dropped as he stood as still as a statue, and Kallie gripped the railing as her heart jumped behind her ribcage.

He was head to toe in black. A crisp black button-up with the top two buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up, emphasizing his biceps and the veins on his bare arms. He wore a matching pair of sleek trousers that hugged him in the right spots. And the all-black ensemble made his eyes even brighter, like the moon in a sea of darkness.

Kallie's cheeks burned, and she was thankful she had put on the rouge.

Then she recalled the power she had felt at the ceremony when she had stood before her suitors and brought that energy, that sense of indifference to her gait. She tilted her chin up and let her gaze slide over him.

As her heels clapped against the stone, Graeson's gaze remained fixed on her.

Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, Fynn tugged Dani by the waist, kissing her cheek. He whispered something in her ear causing Dani to smack him softly in the chest, laughter coating her glare.

Graeson took half a step forward, then paused and fidgeted with his gold cufflinks.

Terin cleared his throat. "Everyone ready then?"

"Yes," Myra said, still fidgeting with her shirt. And then quieter, she added, "I need a drink."

"That makes two of us," Terin grumbled, opening the door and heading out with Dani and Fynn close behind. Graeson ushered Myra and Kallie forward, then stepped in line behind them. Kallie felt him near her ear, and his voice lowered, "Let the games begin, little mouse."

His breath tickled the side of her neck. One side of her mouth tipped upward into a cocky smirk. She turned her head, her lips nearly grazing him with his face as close as it was. Her nose brushed against his cheekbone. "Oh, but, Gray, they have already begun. And you, kitty cat, are behind." She winked.

Then grabbing Myra's hand, she quickened their pace forcing Graeson to watch her walk away (and to give herself the needed distance from him. Because she knew that if she allowed herself to fall into the scent of cedar and citrus, she would be lost forever.)

Still, despite her confident gait, her heart stuttered as she recited his words in her head. She had made her intentions clear. She had been the one to put a stop to this. And this, as Graeson said, was just a game. He was only trying to see how far he could push her, how much her word truly meant to her.

But Kallie was good at games.

And even better at pretending.

Chapter28

Kallie hadn't hadthe chance to explore the city besides when they had walked through it upon arriving or traveling to the springs. Anything she needed, Myra had gone to retrieve. But the little she had seen of Pontia was nothing too extraordinary. But then again, she hadn't seen the village at night. With the night taking over the island, Pontia had come alive. A new kind of energy buzzed around her. Torches lit the streets, people chatted with unrestricted enthusiasm, music swept through the spaces between the buildings. It was blissful and free.

The group had taken a nondescript wagon from the palace, and the driver had stopped outside of the tallest shops in the village. While Kallie waited for the others to exit the wagon, she read the signs on the nearby buildings. The phrasesJewels of the SpringsandWeapons of the Godswere elegantly painted onto two wooden signs hanging above the doors of the shops. Her head tilted to the side. Neither place seemed like a place to blow off steam, though she was curious about the weapons and how they would compare to hers. And she regretted not bringing her dagger with her so she could do just that. But alas, it was buried deep within her closet.

Kallie said, not addressing anyone in particular, "Where did you say we were going again?"

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