Page 31 of Midnight Deception

“First of all, it’s not a war like you’re imagining it. There is no battlefield or organised fighting,” she begins, and my heart flutters in my chest with nerves and excitement to finally be learning more. “This is a feud that has been going on for centuries, and we don’t even remember how it started in the first place. There are plenty of theories, but no one knows for sure. However, the hatred is so deeply ingrained on both sides that the fighting continues.” Crossing back over, she spins my chair so I’m facing her, raising various bottles of liquid as she attempts to find a match for my skin tone.

I try not to frown or react as she speaks. However, I’m struggling to understand the logic behind the fighting. If no one remembers why we fight, then why does it continue? Can’t peace be made to stop all this?

Luna sees the look on my face and nods sagely. “It seems senseless,” she agrees. “We no longer hunt down werewolves. We’ve not done that for a long time. But if one comes onto our land or attacks a witch, we will retaliate. It ends up becoming tit-for-tat, keeping the feud going.”

Selecting one of the bottles, she begins the process of applying the makeup to my face, her own expression set with concentration.

“We picked your tutors because they are the best, but they are also more open-minded than the majority of those in the sanctuary. Like I said, there is a group of us who believes we should try to end the war, but many have been caught up in the fighting and still remember what they lost. There are witches who still live in the outside world, living among humans, constantly concealing what they are. We don’t have to hide at Haven, and many of us seek refuge here from the violence and attacks of the werewolves.” Finishing her explanation, she continues applying my makeup, and I fall into a thoughtful silence.

She’s given me a lot to think about. Most of the attitudes here have been wary towards me, with only a few giving me outright sneers and looks of hatred. If what she says is true and many of the witches want change, then perhaps me being here is doing something positive, despite the fact that my freedom has been taken away. Perhaps I should be making more of a conscious effort to get to know the other witches. Having more people on my side could be a good thing, right? A part of me wonders if it would be seen as betraying my own people to be doing this, but if I’m able to help break tensions between werewolves and witches, then that should be viewed as a positive. I’ve gone most of my life not knowing about this war, and I don’t want to be dragged into it now. I don’t hate witches, I’ve barely had time to form an opinion on the matter. Do I fear them? There are certainly some that I do, but the race as a whole… No, I don’t. I’m wary of them, but until proven otherwise, I won’t let the actions of a few taint my views.

A comfortable silence falls between us as I get lost in my own musings. Her gentle touch moves across my face. I automatically close my eyes as she raises a small brush, and I feel her brushing something across my eyelids before she mutters a word I can’t make out, the scent of magic filling the air. When I open my eyes again, I take in her pleased expression and glance over in the mirror. My face looks flawless. A pale, luminescent powder lines my eyes, and my eyelashes look impossibly long and lifted. A pale pink gloss covers my lips, making them look dewy and inviting. I hardly recognise myself.

“What do you think?” Her voice is smug, and honestly, I don’t blame her.

“You really are a witch,” I murmur as I lean forward to examine my reflection, not quite believing what I’m seeing. “It would take a lot of magic to get rid of the grey circles under my eyes.” I’m joking, but at the same time, I’m still marvelling at her handiwork.

She laughs and gestures for me to stand, but I can sense how pleased she is with her work. “Anyway, let’s get you into this dress.”

Why am I suddenly so nervous about this? Is it the anticipation of finally seeing it after all of Luna’s secrecy and hints, or is it because Iwantto look beautiful tonight? It’s shallow, and I immediately berate myself for thinking that way when there’s so much shit going on in my life. However, shouldn’t that be the exact reason to feel that way though? It’ll be a moment of escape when I can do nothing about my friends and mates who are suffering without me. Is there anything wrong with wanting to look good when Atlas sees me at the ball?

A familiar presence settles over me that I’ve not felt since I first arrived here. The goddess’s calm, loving touch spreads through my body, and relief floods me. I’ve felt so lost since I was brought here, so knowing that she’s still with me fixes something in my heart I hadn’t realised was broken.

Enjoy this moment, daughter, her voice whispers through my mind, easing my guilt and reassuring me at the same time.

Taking a deep breath, I let a tentative smile cross my lips and stand, making my way over to Luna, who is unpacking the dress. There’s a selection of other clothes that I assume are for her to wear tonight, or alternatives for me, but she’s clearly excited by the one she’s holding. When I look at the silver, glittering fabric she’s holding, I’m a little confused. It doesn’t seem like much other than a pile of material, and I fight to keep the disappointment from my face.

“There are other dresses if you don’t like this one, but I think you’ll be pleased with it.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me. “It doesn’t look like much now, but the magic happens once the dress is on.”

Deciding to trust her on this, I nod, trying to push back my doubts. I spend the next couple of minutes changing into some sleek underwear in the bathroom, only blushing a fraction when I step back out in front of Luna. Thankfully, she doesn’t seem bothered by my lack of clothing, so my discomfort eases. With her help, I step into the dress, facing the bed as I thread my arms into the sleeves and Luna does up the fastenings at the back.

“Okay, turn around,” she instructs, her voice slightly breathy as she watches me with a bright smile. Heart in my throat, I turn to face myself in the mirror, a quiet gasp slipping past my lips.

She was right about the dress. I’m instantly awed as I take myself in, running my hands over the material. I’m wearing stars. Okay, so I know they are not actual stars, but the layers of glistening fabric make it appear like I’m covered in glittering stars. Thanks to the magic in the dress, the bodice fits me like a glove, yet it’s comfortable to move around in. The neckline scoops from one shoulder to the other, and the sleeves are made of a clear mesh, also covered in whatever magic makes it appear like stars. It’s fitted at my waist, then the fabric skims over my hips and falls to the floor in glistening waves. There’s a little netting beneath to fill the skirt, giving it a great shape. It’s flattering and shows off my figure without being revealing.

There’s no way I’m changing out of this dress. It’s perfect and a great homage to my powers. It’ll remind everyone who I am, something I didn’t want previously, but for tonight, it feels important that they remember. Stepping up beside me, she gently places a diadem upon my head, the delicate twisting silver metal holding three gorgeous moonstones in place at the centre.

I look like royalty. The queen isn’t going to like that, and although it’s petty, the thought makes me smile.

ChapterTwelve

Pacing the length of my reception room, I twist my hands nervously in front of me. My dress swishes each time I turn, the stars catching the light, but not even that helps to calm me. Luna left a little while ago to get ready, after telling me that I’d be collected when it was time for my entrance. I have no idea how much time has actually passed, but it feels like days, each tick of the clock on the mantelpiece slow and mocking.

Star sits by the door, watching me with wide eyes, her head turning back and forth as she tracks my movements. It would be comical if I wasn’t so worked up about everything. In the short time that I’ve been left alone, my mind has built this ball into a huge event where if I make a single mistake, then it will doom any chance of the werewolves and witches ever reconciling.

A knock at the door breaks me from my pacing, and I take a deep breath, closing my eyes as I try to block off all of my worries and stress. When my eyes open, I smile slightly then walk over to the door. Kano stands on the other side, looking smart in a tuxedo, his tattoos covered and hair brushed. He actually looks respectable. At least, he did until he takes me in. Doing a double-take, he whistles quietly.

“Damn, Laelia, you’re going to cause a riot looking like that.” Although he smiles as he says it, my stomach still flips at the comment.

“Should I change?” I hate that I’m even asking the question and how uncertain it makes me sound, but I still can’t shake the feeling that tonight is important. The goddess might have told me to enjoy it, but that doesn’t stop monumental things from happening, and I don’t want to be the catalyst.

“No, you look great.” He snorts, mirth entering his eyes. “Atlas is going to have a hard time staying away from you tonight.”

I can’t decide if Kano is happy about that. Their relationship certainly seems strained, but I don’t know if it’s always been that way, or if me being Atlas’s mate has changed things. With a nervous laugh, I brush my hands down the front of the dress, picking at an imaginary piece of lint. “I’m sure he’ll do what he can to stay away from me tonight. He won’t want to be seen with me when his werewolf hating friends are around.”

“That’s what I worry about.” He huffs out a breath. “He’ll struggle to fight the bond when other men are fawning over you, and looking like that, it’s bound to happen for sure.” His gaze takes in the wringing of my hands and my strained expression, and he quickly shrugs it off and waves his hand dismissively. “I’ll just keep my eye on things. Are you ready?”

Wishing I could wave off my concerns so easily, I take a deep breath and nod. Holding the door for me, he watches as I step out into the corridor, Star trotting at my side. Kano frowns slightly, and for a moment, I think he’s going to ask me to put her away, but he seems to change his mind. Linking his arm with mine, we walk over to the large spiral staircase and slowly make our way down.

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