Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

LILLY

This tiny woman, I learned, is named Slíbhín—and she has very little patience. I can barely squeak out three words before I’m stripped and shoved into a flowing yellow gown and matching heels, my hair piled into a tight updo of curls and pins, and my face powdered and painted. She finally gives me a nod and spins me towards the mirror. The dress and hairstyle are incredible enough, but the makeup? I still look like myself, just… more . A whole new level of hot. “W-wow,” softly escapes my lips. She only smiles, then ushers me out the door with a lighthearted, “Go on, shoo.”

Head held high, I follow the flow of staff and other dignitaries moving through the home to the ballroom. A doorman wearing the Stoneheart livery smiles warmly at my appearance and extends his arm with a bowed head, inviting me into the massive space. The room is covered in white marble, with gold accents making the already grand space even grander. Tables dapple the room—though they only appear half-full—as pockets of Lords and Ladies stand chatting in groups dotting the room. Music that’s barely audible over the rumble of conversation drifts from a corner for the few couples dancing in the open area at the hall’s center. A massive buffet sits at the back of the room and servers thread their way through the crowds, doing their best to be seen and not seen at the same time.

I snag a flute of champagne from the tray of a passing server and scan the crowd. Father is easy enough to spot off to the left, locked in conversation with people I don’t recognize and too engrossed in conversation to notice my entrance. He’ll shuffle me off to go find the High Lord anyway… And speaking of, where is the High Lord? He didn’t appear to be holding court anywhere, and no group in the hall appeared bigger than any of the others. I breathe a fleeting sigh of relief. Maybe he won’t be making an appearance tonight? The pit in my stomach is calling me delusional.

There’s no sign of Inara, either, and that pit grows a little more. I summon the image of myself in the mirror earlier with Slíbhín and a bit of confidence comes trickling back. Turning, I head towards the open veranda overlooking the valley at the back of the hall. Reaching the rail, I take a sip from my glass and gaze up at the twinkling of thousands of stars and a nearly full moon.

“Bored already?” A vulpine voice sounds behind me. I spin around, the simple question filling me with dread. A man stands a few paces from me, a smirk lining the shape of his face that oozes certainty. His hands are stuffed in his pockets, and despite the outwardly carefree stance he’s taking, there’s something about the way his eyes scan the large balcony that feels dangerous. He prowls towards me with confidence.

I adjust my stance, desperately trying to shove down the feeling of fear creeping up my spine. His face becomes clearer as he nears me. Those eyes… the tinge of red around the irises. I don’t see any familial tattoos that would mark him, but those eyes name him just as clearly. A Stoneheart. Is this Garrick? The way everyone on the balcony is starting to take notice of us seems to answer my question. Oh no… I take a deep breath and square my chin, feigning a confidence I’m not feeling. I won’t let him intimidate me. Fuck his reputation. “Not bored at all,” I say, praying he won’t notice the slight tremble in my voice. “I was looking for you, actually.”

He sniffs softly, his smirk growing as he brushes back a stray strand of dark blonde hair. “Were you now?” His eyes search my face intently for a stretching moment, then he chuckles again. He smiles like a parent who’s caught their child in a ridiculous lie. “And here I thought I was the one searching for you.”

“You were?”

“Mmm,” he hums, his eyes narrowing on me. “For a conversation.”

“Aren't we talking now?” Everyone outside seems to be watching our exchange now, and the dread I’m feeling grips me tighter.

Stoneheart doesn’t answer, turning on a heel and strolling back towards the dining hall. I debate my next move for half a second before I sigh and follow after him. Maybe I can talk him out of this whole marriage thing?