Page 60 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

Eris steps in front of me and tucks a rebellious strand of my hair back into place. She's managed to work her fashion magic and pin my hair up in a loose, romantic bun, with strategic strands framing my face.

"There," she says in triumph. "You are stunning."

"So are you," I smile and wrap my arms around her, holding her tight. "Thank you. Not just for the hair and make-up, but for being my friend."

She squeezes back and whispers, "If you make me cry and I smear my make-up, I swear we will fist fight." I chuckle when she pulls away, tears in her eyes. "I'm glad we're friends, too."

A sudden knock on our bedroom door interrupts us before we get too emotional. I jump from the unexpected tap and even though I fight it, the image of Vesper lurking on the other side makes my heart skip a beat. I almost beg Eris not to answer it, figuring the brothers would have used the sliding door that connects our rooms to see if we were ready to go, but before I have a chance to voice my fears, Eris swings the door wide open. I'm relieved to see Nyx and Finn standing there dressed to impress.

Nyx's suit jacket, though black at the shoulders, looks like the bottom half was dipped in scarlet dye. I've heard of this ombre technique before and had always wanted some of my dresses fashioned in that manner, but I was told it wasn't befitting for the heir to the Midorian throne, so I never inquired about it again. The boldness definitely matches Nyx's personality.

Finn, on the other hand, opts for a black turtleneck shirt and a forest green suit. With his gold-rimmed glasses, gold rings, and gold tattoos peeking from underneath his cuffs, I dare say, Finn looks like a man straight out of a fairytale.

Zuri must be a miracle worker to have these suits tailored to perfection on short notice, or she keeps a spare outfit for the Harland brothers handy just in case they find themselves in a pinch. Either way, they look handsome.

Nyx lazily leans against the doorframe with a smirk. "We are here to escort the prettiest ladies to the casino for a night of dancing, drinking, and of course," he pauses with a twinkle in his hazel gaze, "mischief."

"Oh, stop it," Eris scoffs and waves a hand in the air. "You already know we need to keep a low profile."

"A guy just can't have fun, can he?" Nyx rolls his eyes playfully, before standing up straight and looking my way. He extends his elbow to me and winks. "You ready to go, Kitarni?"

With a bright smile, I snake my arm around his and nod. "Let's go cause a ruckus."

Nyx barks out a laugh, but before Eris can protest, I drag Nyx down the hallway, even though I have no idea where I'm going.

"You look beautiful," Nyx says as we round the corner, not bothering to wait for the other two to catch up.

"Thank you." I brush a piece of lint off his lapel. "You clean up nice yourself."

"Wait until you see me in Tronovia. I might get you to look at me the way you look at Atlas," he teases.

I click my tongue. "You want me to look at you with disgust and disdain?"

"If that's what disgust looks like, I might fall down dead seeing your bedroom eyes."

"You're a shameless flirt, Nyx."

Nyx tugs the bottom of his jacket down to remove any creases. "Well, when you're as handsome as I am, it's hard not to be."

I toss my head back and laugh as we enter the casino hall. We're on the second level and walk down a set of stairs to a shared platform with the staircase on the other side. The grand staircase leads down to the lower level from the upper level. The entire room has multiple double doors along the walls, so guests have the opportunity to step onto the wrap around deck for a late-night stroll. Bright lights are strewn throughout the casino and the dining room where the dark polished wood and green velvet tables are elegantly set. Waiters in white coats slip through the crowd with drinks and appetizers on silver trays. Formally dressed guests from all around Dalerin are laughing, drinking, gambling, eating, dancing, and flirting the evening away. I am mesmerized by the sights and sounds until I hear a boisterous laugh echo from one of the gambling tables.

Nyx and I glance in that direction and see a voluptuous, pale green Bavan with tiny husks draped over Atlas who is lounging at the table placing a bet. She wraps her arms around his neck from behind and places her mouth against his ear and whispers something. When he smiles at whatever sweet nothings she spews, my stomach immediately sours. The queasiness is quickly replaced by rage as she lazily drags her fingers up and down his chest, playing with the buttons on his black dress shirt.

I can feel Nyx's eyes on me before he pats my forearm, still looped around his. "You alright?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" I shoot back.

"You females tend to get jealous -"

I laugh, cutting off whatever he is about to say. If there is one thing I will not tolerate, it's being jealous that Atlas is entertaining that female's shameless advances. "Jealous? Me? Of what?" I wave my hand toward Atlas and his companion. "Your brother can do what he wants with whomever he likes." I manage to say it with a convincing amount of gusto, but my insides feel like they are burning.

"I need a drink." I snatch a glass off a waiter's platter as he passes.

"That probably belonged to someone."

"I suppose it's mine now." I see couples dancing and an idea sparks in my head. I down what remains in the crystal, set it on a second waiter's tray, and pull Nyx to the dance floor. "Dance with me."

Nyx doesn't have a chance to decline, though I doubt he would have turned me down knowing how much he enjoys dancing. Unlike the sultry dance moves he taught me in the hot, sweaty Bavan festival streets, this music is suited for ballroom routines, which is something I know a thing or two about. And from the looks of it, Nyx is also skilled in the formal dances. He slips his hand around my waist, pulling me close to his chest. I take his hand and gently place my palm over his shoulder, making a mental note of how muscular he is.

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