“That sounds like a lot of pressure,” I said, settling more firmly into his side. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re very brave, and exceptionally kind. I’m sure your parents must be proud of you. I know you’re trying to resolve your debt to me, but if I can ever support you in return, please let me know.”
He relaxed, his body pressing into mine. “Thank you.”
We continued to converse late into the night, softly murmuring to one another about everything that happened during our travels. It felt natural, debriefing the day’s events with Corvin. His voice was soothing, and eventually, it seduced me into sleep.
The next morning, I slipped the borrowed gown on over my head with grim determination—more reminiscent of someone heading to the gallows than a social gathering. A dinner party. Just a dinner party. Even if my stomach was currently twisted into so many knots that eating anything seemed downright impossible. I shimmied the rest of the way into the floor-length garment.There’s a chance things could go smoothly.
If there was one thing the very wealthy coveted, it was more wealth. It might be as simple as that. Rogam might be willing to make a sale in exchange for Eterna’s freedom. I buckled the straps of the silver sandals Corvin brought me and grabbed the elegant clutch which now held my money. His friend had thought of everything I might need. Except for any kohl or rouge.
“I’m changed now!” I called to Corvin, so he knew he could turn around again. “Though I’m not quite sure what to do about my hair or painting my face.” He walked over to me, already dressed in formal clothing. He wore a black waistcoat, embroidered with delicate silver swirls at the shoulders. He looked…stunning. Had tamed his midnight-black hair into place. I found myself resisting the urge to take my hand and muse it back into its usual disordered state. As I regarded Corvin, he did the same to me.
His eyes traced the curve of my spine, trailing down, down, down until they reached the small of my back. The first look was quick, appraising. Then he caught me watching him. His eyes roved down my body a second time. This time, slow and sensual. The first time was for him. But the second—the second look was for me. To let me know he approved of my gown. That it warranted another glance. As if to say that each part of my body, my curves, was worth savoring. An intoxicating feelingblossomed within me at the intensity in his gaze. “I don’t think anyone is going to be focused on your cosmetics,” he said mildly. “However, if it’s going to make you feel self-conscious not to be wearing any, I do have a feather for that.”
“You have a feather that can help paint my face?” I asked incredulously.
A pleased smile crossed Corvin’s face. He finished clasping his feather-lined cloak over his attire. Hopefully, Rogam would be fooled by its powerful glamour; otherwise it was bound to be a conversation piece. “This cloak holds the key to a great many kinds of magic.” His smile turned self-satisfied. “Especiallywhen I’m the one wearing it.”
He traced an iridescent blue-green feather with a distinct eye-like pattern. “Of course, context is everything. There are feathers on this cloak I wouldn’t dare pull unless as a last resort. Feathers that are extremely rare and powerful or extremely difficult to control. I would be happy to use one of these peacock feathers now though, if you so desire. They aren’t particularly hard to find. At least, I’ve never heard any of the collectors complain about replenishing them.” He trailed off, perhaps realizing he was beginning to share more than intended.There were people who replenished his feathers for him?Now was not the moment to interrogate him, so I accepted his offer instead. “Some women wear rouge like armor. Give me something like that. I want to feel fierce. Unstoppable.”
And he did.
Released from his cloak, the feather drifted down between us. Corvin’s eyebrows scrunched, a look of intense concentration upon his face. As it landed, tendrils of magic became visible—this time a mesmerizing swirl of blue and green, slowly rising up from the ground. A moment of doubt washed over me—perhaps Ishouldn’thave willingly offered to subject myself to strange magic. My doubts evaporated as soon as the magic rose highenough to envelop my body in a warm embrace. It smelled of fresh rain and sweet honey. Like Corvin.
The magic trailed luxuriously over my lips. I parted them slightly in response to its gentle nudge, the deposition of rouge a soft caress against my mouth. Finished with my lips, the magic turned its attention toward my eyes. I shivered when it transitioned to braiding my long hair, with a slight tugging pressure that set off a pleasurable, tingling sensation all along my scalp. I surrendered to the magic, letting it do as it willed. I understood Corvin hadn’t touched me directly, but the whole experience still felt unexpectedly intimate.
Hiding my reaction to his magic, I turned toward the small cracked mirror hanging on the wall, surveying my reflection. A small gasp escaped my throat. Not because I thought Corvin’s magic wouldn’t work or that he would do a bad job—turning me into some sort of jester with face paint—but because I was unaccustomed to seeing myself looking so done-up.
And because Ididlook fierce, with deep red lips and smoky eyes. My hair was braided at the sides, then tucked into a loose, messy bun, sitting low at the nape of my neck, a few loose strands escaping to curl romantically around my face. It also covered my pointed ears, a necessary disguise. The Winter Court shared a connection with Kothia, but I wanted to draw as little attention to myself as possible. And my pointed ears would certainly raise questions if I didn’t hide them.
When I worked up the nerve to face Corvin, I found him flushed as well.
Maybe my reaction hadn’t been completely one-sided…
His eyes were wide when he spoke. “You look gorgeous, Elvira. Are you ready to infiltrate a dinner party?”
“We clean up nice,” I answered, too shy to return the compliment in full like I really wanted. “As ready as I’ll ever be. How about you?”
“Parts of the evening will be challenging,” he said, looking at me intensely. “Parts of it will be—easy.”Like the part where we pretend to be a couple?Corvin continued, “Regardless, I have a feeling we’re going to make a very good team.”But what if we weren’t pretending?I smoothed my gown. No use thinking that way when he was about to fulfill his debt to me. When our time together might soon be ending… As much as the idea of sleeping with him sent heat right to my core, I didn’t just want him in my bed. I wanted something in my life that would last.
“You aren’t worried?”
He shrugged. “Sure, I’m worried. No matter what happens though, it’s bound to be exciting.”Exciting.The word hadn’t even crossed my mind. “We just need to remember our roles. It’s a part to play. Nothing more. We can do this.” The nausea in my stomach didn’t let up; the stakes were too high if we failed, and the significance of my bargain pressed down upon me like a heavy weight as we left the inn behind.
If it meant securing Eterna’s freedom—I was about to put on the performance of my life.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
We arrived in style, having chartered the most expensive carriage we could find to take us into the countryside. A frivolous expense, but one that sent the right message. Rogam needed to believe we were wealthy, with moneyto burn.The kind of money that warranted showing us his more…expensive wares. That might convince him to reveal Eterna’s existence.
The manor resided on a sprawling coastal estate, right up against the Baslan Ocean. If he’d built it any closer to the ocean’s sandy shores, it would be floating on the water. Large glass windows populated the exterior of the building. They must have cost Rogam a fortune to install. I could almost forgive his overindulgence—the scenerywastoo breathtaking to hide behind solid walls.
Observing the ocean was hypnotic. Captivating. Terrifying. Awe-inspiring. Pulling me under its spell. I couldn’t drag my gaze away, thoroughly mesmerized by the rhythmic push and pull of the waves. Our carriage pulled forward in line, approaching the front of the manor—a grandiose set of double doors, flanked on either side by marble columns. I savored one final glimpse of the ocean before it was totally obscured from view by the towering estate.
A young couple disembarked from the carriage in front of us.
I craned my neck, peering out the window, so that I could watch them waltz confidently inside, though they appeared slightly unsteady on their feet. A bit tipsy, perhaps? They were greeted at the front door by a tall, elegantly dressed manwith impeccable posture, presumably Rogam’s butler sent to welcome the arriving guests. I ran my hands down the smooth silk of my gown, relieved to see we were dressed appropriately. The young couple entering the manor was clothed from head to toe in finery.
Our carriage, next in line, rolled to a stop.
