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“Let’s see how tonight goes,” Tristiana suggested quickly, offering me a wary look. “And then decide. I mean, if it’s a flop, why would we want to keep coming, right?”
“Of course,” Nyx conceded agreeably. “There’s no pressure, but I have no doubt this is going to go exactly according to plan. Something tells me that this is kismet.”
I didn’t have to look at him to know he was staring right at me when he said this. My cheeks burned so hot, I thought my head might explode.
The castle’stheater had the capacity to hold two hundred, and it was almost completely full when the show started. I had been so worried that I would mess up once we began, but the second I stepped foot on stage and the music started up, I was transported into the world of theater and the dance that I loved so deeply in my soul.
With the lights in my eyes and my crew by my side, I lost myself in the erotic but classy show we had practiced over the past two weeks, getting interactive with the Council of Ministers, ensuring that the program was up to palace standards. We left anything remotely risqué at the door.
Nyx had a box seat there, too, and he watched from above. I could feel his eyes on my every move, but it only empowered me.
By the end of the show, I was exhausted but exhilarated, laughing with Tristiana and the others behind the curtain. Some of the ministers tried to venture back for personal visits, but the Royal Guards had explicit instructions to keep them out, a factthat Tristiana found appealing. She had lost some of her guard as the night went on, warming up to the idea of a weekly show.
“I wish Jergin had the same rules at Maximo’s,” she muttered, wiping the makeup off her face.
“Jergin wants us to keep them coming back,” I reminded her, brushing out my mane until it shimmered. “Ny—the king will ensure they do, whether or not we meet with them.”
Tristiana stopped what she was doing to look at me, our other cast members already heading out for the night. “That’s the third time you’ve almost called him by his first name,” she scolded me. “You’re going to get yourself in trouble.”
“He just prefers it more casual when we’re alone,” I said defensively. “It doesn’t mean anything.”
“Keep telling yourself that. I’m warning you, you’re going to end up hurt if you keep this shit up, Maren.”
“I…” I almost denied it, but I swallowed the lie. “I won’t.”
“Keep your head on straight, Maren. You don’t deserve to get your heart broken. You have a big, beautiful heart, and you should find someone who can give you the moon, not some back room.” She rose from the vanity and picked up her duffel bag. “You ready?”
I nodded, offering myself a final glance in the mirror.
“Don’t worry. You look good,” Tristiana sighed.
I hurried after her, hanging my head, but I couldn’t deny that I was looking forward to seeing Nyx on the way out.
To my chagrin, it was Odette who met us in the hallway outside of the theater, her face as twisted as before. “Payment has been wired to your account, Mary,” she informed me. “Same with the other… dancers. Good night.”
“Maren,” I corrected her as she turned away. Her light scoff told me that she didn’t care. “Is the king coming out to say goodnight?”
She didn’t respond, and I glanced at Tristiana. Her green eyes flashed in annoyance.
“Okay. See you next time!” Tristiana yelled out sweetly. That stopped Odette in her tracks.
She whirled around and glowered at us. “Next time?” she repeated. “What next time?”
“Come on, Tris,” I begged, not wanting to make an enemy of the enchantress. She obviously didn’t like us already.
“Never mind,” Tristiana sang sweetly, skipping toward the front of the castle as I clung to her arm.
“Dammit, Nyx,” I heard Odette curse behind us, and my heart sank.
“You see?” Tristiana told me, wagging a finger. “We’re not like them, and we never will be.”
“I know. I get it,” I agreed quickly, no longer wanting to see Nyx to say goodbye.
Suddenly, I just wanted to get out of the palace and go home, where no one would judge me. What the hell had I been thinking, agreeing to this? I didn’t belong there. I’d just fallen under Nyx’s spell.
Chapter 7
Nyx
