It didn’t help that she looked incredible: her silver dress paired with matching gloves, her hair pulled back to accentuate the long curve of her neck and slopes of her collarbones. Since exiting their limo, Domenic had only allowed himself to look at Ellery sparingly, lest his gawking be caught on camera.
In his effort to distract himself, Domenic scanned the crowd. But that ached too, in a different way. Every one of these people, all someone he needed to save.
Then he made tragic eye contact with a reporter. She pounced in an instant.
“Mr. Barrow, care to comment on the rumors that you were seen leaving the Gallamere Grand Hotel with Phillipa Chastian?”
Domenic blinked. “With who?”
“Come now, our readers aren’t fools. She’s here tonight, isn’t she? Are we really supposed to believe you’ve changed your ways so quickly?”
Ellery’s smile, if anything, widened.
Domenic forced a chuckle that sounded objectively constipated. “At the risk of disappointing your readers, I assure you, my focus is entirely on the cataclysm. And I think the country will sleep sounder at night knowing I’m sleeping alone.”
He and Ellery only made it a few more steps before another reporter accosted them.
“Miss Caldwell, what was the inspiration for your look tonight?”
“It’s from Arden’s upcoming Summer collection,” Ellery answered.
“You’ve been awfully focused on fashion all Winter. What sort of example do you think you’re setting for the young girls who look up to you?”
Fury ignited in Domenic’s stomach. Yet Ellery’s mask remained perfect as ever.
“As Barrow mentioned,” she said lightly, “our focus is entirely on the cataclysm.”
Another reporter emerged, like beetles from a shit mound. “As Winter’s Chosen, you must feel a special responsibility to those victimized by its magic. Do you feel you’ve faltered in your duties given a winterghast’s attack on the Citadel?”
Domenic stepped in front of Ellery and growled, “Bothof us feel a deep responsibility for Ravfiri’s vigil. But the prophecy is still unfolding. And when it’s through, we promise, wewillreunite Alderland. Together.”
They didn’t linger in that spot.
“I can fight my own battles,” Ellery hissed.
“But you shouldn’t have to.”
Domenic allowed himself this one chance to meet her eyes, if only so she could see the seriousness in his.
Her shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. It felt like a victory. “So… Phillipa Chastian, huh? Wherever did you find the time?”
For a peace offering, it carved the deepest of wounds.
“Yeah, you caught me,” he played along. “In those five hours a day I don’t spend at the Citadel, I’ve been with the actress who played… um…”
“Wow. You still can’t remember. Dare I ask who’s starring in the movie we’re actually here to see?”
“Hey now.”
In the theater lobby, attendants handed out snacks and promotional gifts. Domenic awkwardly accepted a toy replica of Valmordion.
Ellery raised a brow as he poked its rubber bristles. “Why didn’t you just get the popcorn like I did?”
“The attendant didn’t give me much of a choice. Did you see his face when he realized who I was? What was I supposed to say? ‘Sorry, already got one’?”
She smirked. “Did you consider joking about how yours is bigger?”
Domenic barked out a laugh. He worried perhaps the wound was fatal.
