Page 93 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

“Irene.” She almost smiled. “Is something the matter?” Her aura was saturated also with determination, shining with a mahogany colour.

“You didn’t tell me if you’re going to join us at the ball. I would love for you to attend. Graves? What about you?”

He beamed widely. “I would love to come. Darius said Lucy isn’t going to wake up for a while, and I know she’s in good hands.”

A flicker of orange surprise went through her aura. “Do you want me to come?”

“Of course. I hope you’ll join us.”

Tears blurred her eyes, but she blinked quickly and turned her gaze towards the desk. Her aura radiated such strong sadness that it affected me. I didn’t simply feel it. It became mine, which worried me. My mama had let people’s sadness into her heart, and it’d killed her. If this sadness was affecting me, it was destroying Carabosse.

I caught her gaze. “You must let go of this deep sadness. It’s always good to face your feelings and understand your emotions, but you can’t let sadness destroy you.”

She hunched her shoulders. “I have nothing left. I lost my family centuries ago. My power is gone. My last spell failed. I wanted to do something good for once, to bring Aurora back from her death, but instead I made everything worse. The Duke of the Wraith Court was a necromancer. I thought I’d learnt something from him. On top of everything I’ve done, there’s also my arrogance.”

Quietly Graves handed her a handkerchief.

She took it, whispering, “Thank you.”

I agreed she wasn’t painting a thrilling picture of the situation.

“One bad decision led to another,” she continued. “I wanted to bring her back, and my obsession with necromancy brought me to follow people who pushed me towards even darker paths. And that’s the result. Alone, powerless, and hated by everyone.”

“I don’t hate you,” Graves whispered.

“Your power might return,” I said. “Darius said the loss might not be permanent.”

Her aura remained dark and heavy with sadness. “Darius is rarely discouraged.”

“Come to the ball. Please.”

She sat up straighter. “I will, but afterwards, I’m going to take a long journey with Graves if he wants, if he can leave Lucy’s side for a few weeks.”

He nodded. “I’ve never been outside the kingdom.”

Cara and Graves travelling together? That was shocking. “Where are you going?”

She showed a fleeting, timid smile and touched the atlas. “I’m taking Aurora home.”

35

OPENING THE DOORS

Irene

Itwirled in front of the mirror to admire my new silver gown. It was made of shimmering silver silk with a white underskirt and delicate muslin sleeves. Silver stars were nestled in my hair, among my curls, and sewn into the fabric of the skirt. The bustle was discreet with layers of white silk, and the long white gloves made my arms look slender and elegant.

“You look lovely.” Myrtha draped a silver sash over my shoulders. “Perfect gown for a ball.”

She was wearing a white gown similar to our wili gowns but with beautiful chiffon sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, and delicate silk slippers.

“You’re stunning too.” I draped the ribbon on the small of her back, enhancing her curves. “How are things between you and Darius?”

Her bright expression turned into a frown. “Things? What things? There are no things between Darius and me.”

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” I chuckled. “You haven’t left his side from the moment he saved your life.”

Embarrassment flickered crimson in her aura. “Well, that’s gratitude and politeness. I couldn’t leave him to his own devices, could I?”