Page 50 of The Temptation of Roan Island

The other women of the house have all congregated in my rooms to get ready. They’ve attended new moon parties before and seem eager for me to experience the same. Well, Ruby and Kay are eager. I can’t read Zarah, and Anna’s been in a mood lately. No longer flirting shamelessly, she’s turned cold and distant. I worry about her.

“That gown is perfect,” Kay says from behind me. “It looks lovely on you.”

I glance at her through the mirror. She’s standing in an icy blue frock that makes her red hair vibrant and reveals the rosy pops of color on her creamy skin. She looks healthier somehow.

“Thank you.” I smooth my hand down the front of my tiered skirt as the maid fluffs the bustle behind me.

“Would you like gloves, miss?” she asks.

Not long ago, before coming to New Essik, I was just like this young woman. Back then, I dreamed of wearing a dress like this and going to a party rather than serving at one. I believed I could be something special to him. Now, I’m in a position like the one I hoped for, but it’s still all a lie.

I nod my head at the maid, and she offers me long, white satin gloves.

Anna comes up beside me and adjusts the bodice of her dress, pulling it down a little. She looks worse than she did a week ago. She’s lost weight, there are circles under her eyes, and her dark hair has lost its shine.

“I’m going to take Jafeth up on his offer tonight,” she announces.

“That’s an excellent idea,” Ruby says.

I’m surprised, since Ruby is usually the one dissuading Jafeth. Maybe she just wants Anna to enjoy the party, or perhaps she’s just encouraging a bite to help Noah’s research. Maybe both. I’m sure she knows better than to hope Jafeth will fall in love.

“You really should.” Kay giggles, her cheeks as red as ripe apples.

“As long as you go into the encounter with realistic expectations, then I think you’ll find yourself… happy with the outcome.” Zarah flashes Anna a smile, her sharp fangs showing.

Anna’s decision might have surprised me if I didn’t understand it so well. When life is fragile, there’s a desire to seize whatever opportunities you can, even if you know it won’t lead anywhere. I get the sense that Anna has resigned herself to none of the Roan siblings falling in love with her and accepted her fate, taking whatever pleasure she can from the moment.

Even though she doesn’t know it, I feel similarly.

Shemaiah won’t bite me on Summer Solstice, no matter what they all think. So this is my opportunity to live, here and now, while I can. But that decision doesn’t make me any less nervous.

As long as I’m realistic about what this means, it’ll be fine.

With shaking hands, I pull on my gloves, take one last look in the mirror, and follow the other women down to the party.

22

SHEMAIAH

Tonight, the new moon party is in the back garden, a space that hasn’t seen life since my mother was alive. Ruby has been adamant about using the Roan wealth to better effect, employing those who need work, while making the place more inviting. We now have a full-time groundskeeper and three gardeners living at Roan Island, along with a plethora of new cooks, servers, and maids. The house feels like it’s waking up along with the flowers.

The party is beautiful on this spring night, breathtaking really, but I can’t enjoy it in my agitated state. Rather than adding mystery, the new moon darkness feels like it’s clawing at my skin. Ruby has positioned torches and hundreds of tea lights around, reminding me of bioluminescence floating in dark water. Lit lanterns swing from tree branches along with tons of colorful ribbons situated like hanging vines. The plants are thick with new growth and woven with flower garlands from the greenhouse, so the fragrance is heady. Romantic. That’s the best way to describe it. Fucking romantic.

The new moon party is supposed to be about carnality, not love. And biting Pippa—if she even lets me—is supposed to be about helping a medical condition. It should be done down in the laboratory, not here among plush rugs, pillows, and couches brought out from the house, situated around the garden with layers of potted leafy greens for privacy.

The guests meander around in their formal finery, masked. Laughter, conversation, and the din of heartbeats drown out the music. Ruby had a piano set up on the patio for entertainment, though no one pays attention to the music. Not when the true festivities are finally getting started.

I take a sip of champagne and scan the group, searching for golden hair, a fresh scent, and that rare laugh that’s become so familiar. I haven’t seen Pippa today, and I miss her keenly, which is exactly why I’ve stayed away.

All I’ve thought about since talking to Noah is sinking my teeth into Pippa’s neck. I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, couldn’t read, couldn’t think. I don’t trust myself to be around her. Not with the hunger gnawing at my gut. I still don’t know if she wants my bite or not, but the idea is out there now. And I can’t seem to shake it.

I spent most of the day hiking the island, wearing myself out. I almost found a willing servant to appease my hunger so I wouldn’t be as much of a risk to Pippa, but not all of them know what we are, and I didn’t want to create an unnecessary complication by revealing myself.

Our hunger is always worse at the new moon, but this is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. There’s a phantom scent in my nostrils at all times, the scent of the woman I spend far too much time with, and it has me salivating.

I’m almost relieved when I don’t spot Pippa right away. It’s better that we don’t complicate things with my bite. It’ll just confuse her. And me. Goddess knows I’m confused enough when it comes to that woman. Whatever happens with Pippa tonight, it’ll be best if I feed from someone else first and curb this craving.

“There you are.” Jafeth slaps me on the back. “I was starting to think you weren’t coming and would avail yourself solely on your own delights.” He wiggles his eyebrows while looking around. “Where is your Pippa?”