Page 7 of Unmasking My Dark Knight

I didn’t move a muscle. Everyone started walking toward the front of the big castle up in the sky—well, not literally in the sky, but it may as well have been. A cool breeze hit the back of my head, messing up my hair. Was I just cursed? This place totally creeped me out. It looked more like a mausoleum for Frankenstein than an actual chateau. I stared back up at the front porch with alabaster pillars and flickering candlelight. I could see this wedding ending in a bloody mess.

“Come on, mija,” Mami said. “Take your boots off⁠—”

“Ew! I don’t like it when my socks touch wet grass, Mami! Don’t they have, like, a golf cart that can take us up there?”

Was I over the top? Maybe to everyone else, but not to me.

“Ivy Jade, I swear I hope you brought that book of yours you love so much,” my brother started. “Otherwise, this is going to be a long-ass weekend,” he muttered under his breath, but I still heard him.

“Duh!” I pulled it out of my book purse. The ‘Little Women’ spine was worn from years of use, but the pages inside were pristine.

I only got to read three more chapters of ‘Unmasking My Bright Knight’ while on the plane, and my only motivation to get up these stairs was to hide away in my room and read some more. And why not? I may have been forced to stay at this creepy chateau, but mentally I was in the arms of Roman Knight, the six-foot-six hunk of a man in the shiny armored mask, who may or may not have been written just for me—the princess.

There were pages to read, and blog posts to comment on, and dreams of romance that weren’t attached to this Halloween nightmare or my future meeting with Antonio. I read this series a hundred times already. This was the only book that had some of my most favorite quotes in it. My finger trailed along my wrist, getting lost in the memory of when I got a commemorative tattoo of my favorite quote—Mami nearly killed me over it. I tugged on my sleeve; I was always told to hide it.

“She’s here,” I yelled, “and ready to get me through the week. I mean… not that this is going to be bad. It’s just, you know…”

“What?” Tallulah turned around to ask.

My brows scrunched, and I paused to think because my mouth was flying way too fast for me, and that wasn’t okay. Even Mami gave me a bit of a subtle death glare. I took a deep, deep breath and shone my brightest smile. “Guys! I cannot wait to climb those steps! If I start my book over again, I could be done by the time I get to the last step,” I smiled with crinkled eyes.

“You’re a goofy girl,” Tallulah said. “You’re going to love all the activities I have planned for all of us during the day, all the way through the night. It’ll be like old times.” Tallulah came by my side and linked her arm with mine, walking us toward the beginning of hell’s staircase. “Remember how much fun we used to have?” she said in a daydreamy way.

I swished my lips to the side, thinking. “We did, until my brother stole you from me.” I pouted.

“You know I’ve had a crush on your brother since, like, I met him, right?” she said.

“Well, duh, once you told me, then I knew. It was still a big secret until you guys started dating after college.”

Tallulah rolled her eyes. “Only because I knew how upset you’d be.” Surprise, surprise. “You’ve always been my closest and bestest friend.” She put her head against my forehead. “Thank you for being my maid of honor.”

“Tal,” I squeaked. “You’re such a sap! I’m extra honored to be your maid of honor.”

“Did I tell you there’s a huge library inside?” Tal persuaded me.

“What! No freaking way!” I squeaked.

“Come on. We have to go,” Gustav yelled from a far distance, tapping at his watch.

“Fine,” I huffed, taking my Louboutin boots and socks off, my toes spread on the moist grass. Yuck.

You’re going to pay for this, Gustav and Tallulah.

By the time we made it all the way up, I was ready to go to my bedroom, but Tallulah insisted on getting ready for our apple-picking activity.

I could tough it out. Picking apples did sound pretty cute, and it matched the vibes of my red ribbon in my half-up ponytail, cream colored dress, and adorable knitted red cardigan. I’d just need to swap my boots out for my red apple-picking heels.

“Isn’t this incredible, Ivy Jade? I could have never imagined anything as beautiful as this! I never thought your parents would have been kind enough to do this for us!” Tallulah held my hand in a squeeze.

I followed her gaze up to the various terraces and windows that glowed like eyes.

“It looks pretty,” I said to oblige her. It wasn’t my first choice for a castle, but I could appreciate its historical value. Besides, Tallulah grew up in a very humble home. She wasn’t used to seeing the luxuries life gave us here on Earth. It was kind of sad, actually.

“Let’s go meet everyone!” Tallulah said.

This week is going to be so achingly long.

Most of us congregated in the semi-impressive foyer near the entrance. I was yawning, taking turns staring at the dark, curved arches along the ceiling and the mounted tapestry on the walls. It was surprisingly bright inside with all the little chandeliers and candles. It looked like the summer home of some vampire overlord, but at least the potted roses and crackling fireplaces were cute enough.