35. THIRTY FIVE

thirty-five

SKYLARK

The city of Windmere gives way to lush green trees and open flat land. Dragon’s Back Ridge rises into the sky, harsh shadows etched into its rocky sides. It’s the clearest view I’ve had of the mountains so far. By the time Celeste and I arrive at Skylark, it’s late afternoon.

We pass through massive curved iron metal gates. Rich green gardens fan out to my left and right, vibrant with bursts of flowers and bushes. A web of paths snake between the greenery and around fountains sputtering water. When Finneas opens the carriage door and we exit, my gaze sweeps left and up. My breath catches on large marbled columns and the flower-lined windows of a sizable chateau.

“Thank you for spending your day with me,” Celeste says and squeezes my hand.

We ascend the front steps together, my shoes clicking against the stone. A pair of double-doors arch upward above us in greeting. The thickness of the doors alone could stand the weight of a group of men. Maybe more than that. Perhaps even the weight of a dragon. It’s the only thing I can think about with how illogically tall the doors are.

“Guess a ball gown could have squeezed through here,” I murmur, eyes wide.

Celeste giggles and unlinks her arm from mine. “I have some urgent matters to attend to before the ball. But I’ll see you for dinner tonight.”

We enter through the front doors, and I’m not sure where to look next. The foyer opens up to a grand staircase splitting into two different directions at the second landing, each railing glittering in gold. Every wall is adorned in intricate patterned stonework, gleaming candelabras, and rich red curtains. The marble floors are covered with expansive, vibrant rugs.

Celeste dips her head and struts through one of the several arched doorways, disappearing down a hallway.

Could the ‘urgent matters’ have something to do with the dragon horn she has stashed in her dress?

A suited man leads me through the winding hallways of the house. We pass by enormous rooms large enough to house our entire squad, a library with shelves brimming with books, and a kitchen bustling with people prepping and cooking. We reach the northern part of the house, and he opens a door for me, gesturing me in.

Light filters through the windows, caressing long, thick, red curtains spilling onto the marbled floor. A bed opposite the window is fluffed with layers of thick blankets and multiple pillows. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many pillows. How many people did they think were going to sleep in this damn bed?

I smile at the gentleman. “Thank you.”

He hangs up my dress in a large wardrobe with intricate columns of brass before he leaves. I peer out the window, noticing the gardens I saw earlier. In a way, it reminds me of home and the forest. Just a little less…wild.

I sit on the bed, jumping up and down a few times, marveling at how plush the mattress and blankets are. I sink onto my back and stare at the ceiling.

“Daeja? Can you still hear me from here?”

“Yes, doing just fine, before you ask.”

I snicker, “Thank you for confirming. I’ve never seen a place like this...I wish you were here. I’m willing to bet they have more chicken than you could ever ask for.”

She snorts. “Speaking of food...how much trouble will I be in if I eat a two legger?”

“Daeja…” I scold as I shoot up to my forearms. “ We don’t eat two leggers, remember? If you’re that hungry—”

“I didn’t. Just curious, is all.”

But I know better. She wouldn’t be asking unless she had a reason to. “Why? Have you seen anyone lurking about?”

“The one who kissed you.”

I stare out at the window. If she meant Cole, she would have referred to him as the Red One, as she always did. My heart skips a beat. There’s no telling what Darian was capable of. I’ve only seen him in combat with humans, but I don’t doubt he could be vicious against a dragon.

“Daeja, if he sees you, I want you to fly as fast as you can—”

“How many times do I have to tell you I’m not leaving without you?”

“Then you come to me, and I will meet you. And we will go north together. But stay out of sight—”

“I know. I know. He didn’t see me last night. I was across the lake, hidden by the trees. But I could smell him.”

“What was he doing?”

“I don’t know. I couldn’t tell. It almost looked like he was carrying something. But I left before he could spot me.”

My eyes narrow. What would Darian be doing stalking around the lake at night?

“Did you see him after I left you?”

“Yes.”

Which meant he must have gone right after Celeste knocked on his door and he told her to leave.

As if the extra distance between Daeja and I wasn’t already reason enough to feel uneasy. Tension strains every muscle in my body, like the string of a bow pulled tight.

Studying the room, an idea sparks me. Given Celeste’s father was the previous military general, I suspected there was more than just dragon horns hiding in this massive estate. He had to at least have a map of sorts. Or, at least, I had to try and look for one.

“I’ll check in with you later tonight. I’m going to try and look for a map here.”

“Be careful. Stay out of sight. If they see you, I want you to run as fast as your two little legs will carry you…”

I laugh at her half-hearted mock.

“Just remember. Even if you’re trapped, we don’t eat two leggers.”

“Thank you for clearing up my confusion.”

An hour later, and I’ve brushed through my hair and slipped on the midnight blue gown Celeste picked out for me earlier today. I stare at myself in the ornate gold mirror perched on the bathroom counter for a long time. This was what I wished for all those years ago: balls, fancy dresses, the finest wines, friends, and handsome men.

Men …my mind slips to Cole, even as I dig my heels into the ground to keep from going there. But thinking of him is as natural as breathing. Despite my every effort to shut my heart off from him, I can’t seem to take back what he took of me. I shouldn’t be thinking about him. He’s engaged. And even worse, engaged to a woman who has been nothing but kind to me, contrary to her impossible brother. An impossible brother that won’t even show up for his ‘half’ sister’s engagement dinner party.

I’d bet even if he came to such a ball, he wouldn’t bother to dress up. I can imagine him strolling into the ballroom, his brown hair stupidly bedraggled, muddied boots leaving debris with each step, still dressed in casual black fighting leathers. My thoughts tumble to what he might look like outside of the rugged wear he sports at the outpost.

What he looks like when he isn’t wearing anything at all. Naked and sweating.

I audibly gasp at the thought and smack myself. Stop thinking about Darian.

Clearly, I need a lesson or two on self-discipline . I convince myself it’s only a need leading me to think of him. A desire of my flesh, a dull roaring fire I try to keep locked up. I can’t give in to such a thing again. And I won’t give him the satisfaction of thinking about him...no matter how skilled he may be in bed. And no matter the sheer intensity of the emotions he summons within me.

But there’s a part of me which wonders why my mind travels to him. I tell myself it’s the thought that, no matter how awful I feel about sleeping with him, there’s someone out there that’s done worse. That is worse. One with no remorse—and at least I have that. Darian isn’t up every night with guilt and shame clawing at his insides like a trapped animal begging to be freed. My stomach roils in guilt from the reminder of what I’ve done. Despite Cole’s betrayal, did it make me any worse that I flipped so quickly into Darian’s bed?

I blow out a breath before I walk out of my room. A soft lull of music drifts down the winding hallways, calling me forward like invisible fingers. I follow the sound, down several corridors, and through a massive arched doorway spanning high above my head.

I walk out onto a platform, and a set of stairs dips off into the room on my left. The room opens up to a wide expanse of marbled floors. Beams and columns stretch across overhead, intersecting and stretching into diamonds patterning the ceiling. Brilliant bursts of light flicker from ornate crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. A dull roar of multiple conversations lulls underneath the music. People crowd near a long table lined with dinnerware and crystal glasses shimmering with liquid. Off to the right, a man plays at a large ornate piano. I suddenly feel so out of place—perhaps coming here was a mistake. I should’ve tried searching for the map first. But any temptation to turn and run before someone sees me disappears.

Because it’s too late.

Cole spots me. Completely withdrawn from whatever conversation he was in with another man. Captivated, his gaze devours every inch of me, his mouth parted in awe. The man has to repeat whatever he said to Cole, and I break our eye contact at Celeste’s laugh ringing out amongst a group. A sigh of relief escapes me when I recognize Archie and Melaina gathered with her. I gather my skirts and inch down the stairs. For a split second, I imagine missing a step and tumbling all the way down to the bottom. Miraculously, I make it to the main floor without tripping.

Celeste glows as she approaches me. “Kat! You look exquisite.”

I smile. “Thank you, you look lovely, as well.”

She hugs me and hands me a glass of red wine. “I was about to come fetch you. I forgot to tell you where we would have dinner. I’m glad to see you found it!”

Archie gawks at me as I hug him in greeting. He’s dressed in formal wear, colored in rich plums with his sandy blonde hair swept back from his face.

I squeeze his shoulder. “And look at you! You look handsome.”

His cheeks redden at my compliment. I exchange greetings with Melaina, who is wrapped in orange creams accentuating her bust. Her black hair is pinned back, a shimmer of color on her eyelids.

“How is your room? Are you comfortable?” Celeste asks me.

“Oh, definitely. It’s a generous room, thank you. And a wonderful view of the gardens.”

“I’m glad to hear it! Mel actually has a funny story about those gardens.” Celeste smiles with a glint.

Melaina shakes her head, blushing. “Absolutely not.”

“It’s a good one, and she would get a kick out of it!” Celeste whines.

“Then you tell it, Cece.”

Celeste takes the bait as Melaina shakes her head and begins to cover her face with her hand. “When Mel first came here, we used to play in the gardens all the time. You know, tea parties and what not. And one day she turned to me and asked, ‘Do you believe in angels?’ and I had to, of course. Who doesn’t believe in angels? She then asked if I had ever seen a gardening angel here,” Celeste sputters with a laugh.

“What’s so funny about that? Are you saying angels can’t have hobbies and indulge in gardening?” Archie asks.

We all burst into a fit of giggles.

“What?” he prompts again as he looks wildly from woman to woman.

I smile at Archie. “I think she had mistaken gardening angels for guardian angels.”

Archie nods his head in understanding as it clicks. Melaina jabs a quick elbow at a snickering Celeste who tries not to crumple.

I glance back and forth between the two women. “So you two grew up together?”

“Unfortunately. Friends since we were…what? Ten you say?” Melaina looks to Celeste for confirmation.

Celeste crinkles her nose with unbound affection, warmth tugging at her smile. “Something like that. But I don’t know if I would use the word ‘unfortunately.’ I’m glad we did.”

“How did you two meet?” Archie asks.

“Our fathers were good friends. Her father was second in command to mine. They spent a lot of time together, so in turn we also spent a lot of time together,” Celeste answers.

“And now I can’t seem to get rid of you.” Melaina glares playfully at Celeste.

Celeste bumps her with her hip.

“Anyway, is your brother going to be here?” Melaina glances around.

“Why? Still interested?” Celeste teases.

Archie shifts uncomfortably, and my stomach drops.

A faint blush creeps to Melaina’s cheeks as she whips her head toward Celeste and swats her arm. “Absolutely not!”

“I know how much of a sucker you are for men with a lot of muscles.” Celeste winks. “You don’t have to fool me.”

“You are just as obnoxious as your brother, you know?” Melaina scowls.

“Ahh! Someone’s calling me!” Archie points off toward the bar cart, where no one stands. “I—I gotta go. I’ll catch you all later!”

The crowd shifts as he disappears from our view, and an elbow collides with my side. The wine sloshes out of my glass, part of it spilling onto the front of my dress. Celeste gasps and several sets of eyes turn to me. My skin burns in mortification, the red wine splashed against my skin like a splatter of blood.

Celeste jerks her hand, her own glass of wine spilling out onto the front of her dress. Where mine only causes the fabric to darken a shade, the red wine stains her beautifully bright yellow dress.

“Ahh, clumsy me,” she says with a laugh, brushing the fabric haphazardly with a hand.

A smile creeps to my lips—no one is around her to jostle her.

The man who bumped into me apologizes profusely, roping in servers to help clean the mess. I wipe the wine from my chest with a cloth supplied by a server.

A light bell chimes from somewhere, and everyone stops their conversations and takes a seat at the table. I follow suit a half-second behind, unfamiliar with such wealthy customs. Celeste takes a seat next to Cole and motions for me to sit in front of them. I scan the room for Archie, hopeful for him to come and take one of the empty seats next to me. Disappointment pulls my lips into a frown when I don’t spot him, but I take my seat anyhow.

“Wow, Kat…you look absolutely…” Cole stammers now that I have nowhere to hide. His eyes roam my face, my hair, my dress.

“Ravishing, isn’t she?” Celeste coos. “I think blue is her color.”

I smile at Celeste, not wanting to look Cole in the eyes. “I owe it to Celeste. She hand picked it.”

Our clamor dies as the sound of the music abruptly stops. Everyone around me turns their attention to the pianist. A man dressed in midnight blue whispers to the musician, pats the pianist’s shoulder, and turns toward us.

Darian.

I glance down to my own dress, and my toes curl. My midnight blue dress, trimmed with gold, nearly matches Darian’s attire. I steal a side glance at Celeste who smiles at me.

“I didn’t realize he was coming tonight?” I whisper through the silence, hoping for some sort of explanation from Celeste.

“Neither did I,” Cole confirms.

Darian stalks toward us, the soft curve of his lips pulling up into a smirk when he sees me.

What is he doing here?