He shuffled off before I could ask what he won. I turned back to Ash and had the satisfaction of seeing his cheeks as red as mine. Somewhere along the way his arms had encircled my waist. He didn’t remove them. I didn’t want him to.
“So,” he said.
I cleared my throat. “So.”
“Was that a yes, you do like me, or did you have a sudden seizure?” Ash asked.
“A bit of both,” I said sheepishly.
He laughed. I never realized how much I loved the sound.
“I do like you,” I said. “It’s just...there’s a whole world waiting for me out there. Queen Cordelia’s offer is as good as any.”
“Don’t fret,” Ash said with a smile. “I only wanted an answer, and you gave it. Thank you.”
And he kissed me again.
37
I fiddled with Ash’s ribbon on my wrist as I waited outside Papa’s room. Lydia was making a big ruckus down the hall, telling Genevieve that wearing the slightest hint of white before her wedding was bad-mannered and presumptuous. My stepmother never pointed out the slightest flaw in Genevieve, but I supposed that having her daughter’s engagement party at the palace would have such an effect on her nerves.
Papa opened the door, clean shaved and impeccably dressed. His eyes brightened when he saw me. “Ah, you look beautiful, my flower. Is that your Mama’s gown?”
I nodded and spun around. “Aunt Lana gave it to me,” I said, lifting the purple skirts. The hem was adorned with golden embroidery.
“Our invitation still stands, you know,” Papa said. “She’s as much an aunt to Genevieve as to you.”
“You know Lana,” I said with a shrug. Even after her reconciliation with Papa, she was hesitant to accept our invitations for tea, dinner, or anything, really. Cedric and Genevieve’s engagement party was no different.
“Nonsense! She must come. Besides, you still have to tell her about your trip,” he said with a small smile.
The other night, I told Papa about Queen Cordelia’s offer. We were in his study as usual, the setting sun turning the sky a dusky purple.
“After all these years, my flower, I am glad you’ve occupied your time with something useful,” Papa had said. “Your Mama would be proud.” He heaved a sigh. “I only wish you didn’t have to find out about her on your own.”
I recalled Papa’s absence and sparse letters. I felt so lost then, despite Theodora and Rowena’s efforts. But I had since found solace in my apprenticeship with Lana and discovering what it meant to be a witch myself. If Papa had been there, he would’ve tried to protect me from it all. Perhaps I would’ve wanted his protection back then, but that was no longer true.
I took Papa’s hand. “Don’t be sorry. I had Theodora, Rowena, and Lana to guide me. And Mama,” I said, touching my crystal. It emitted a warm glow.
The wetness in his eyes reflected the purple light of my pendant. “But of course.”
Today, Papa was smiling. “Well, what are you waiting for?” he said.
Before I could reply, my stepmother shouted from below. “Hurry now! Before we’re late to our own party!”
Genevieve rushed past me in a powder blue gown. She was flushed pink, her eyes shining. “We better do as Mama says, if we want her in the best of moods tonight,” she said between breaths.
I exchanged a look with Papa. “Maybe Aunt Lana will show up after all,” I said to him.
“Maybe,” Papa said, straightening his cravat. He offered me his arm. “Well, my flower, let us go before your stepmother flies off the handle.”
The carriage ride to the palace was full of tension and excitement. Genevieve stared out the window for most of it, most likely thinking about Cedric as Lydia talked her ear off. By the time we arrived, the banquet hall was already scattered with guests.
Olivia and Tori met us at the entrance. “Look at you, the radiant bride!” Tori exclaimed, turning Genevieve around to admire the lace and beading of her gown.
“Thank you,” Genevieve said, laughing.
“Have you tried the candied pineapple?” Tori asked, showing us her napkin filled with the crystallized fruit. “It’s phenomenal. The palace cooks really know what they’re doing. Next time Pa hosts an event he will have to hold it here. But he’ll probably be too distracted by the food to be a proper host—”
Olivia elbowed her out of the way. “Cedric’s out in the hallway,” she said, dragging Genevieve out of Tori’s grasp. “I’ll show you.”
Tori sighed dramatically as the two went off. “Ah, young love. Distracts you from what’s most important,” she said, looking down at her sweets. She popped one into her mouth. “So. Who are you looking for?”
I stopped my wandering gaze. “My aunt,” I said. “Have you seen her?”
“Nope. But I think someone else wants to see you,” Tori said, tilting her head to the left. I recognized Narcissa’s fiery hair behind a pillar. She was throwing glances my way.
“I suppose,” I said with a sigh. Genevieve insisted on inviting everyone to her party, even our not so amiable acquaintances. Julianna was invited too, but I had yet to see her face anywhere. She avoided me like the plague ever since the masquerade and my hearing with the king, which certainly was a blessing.
I wandered over to the pillars where Narcissa stood alone, Misty in her arms. Her brow was creased. Her expression didn’t change when she noticed me.
“Amarante,” she said curtly. Misty purred as Narcissa rubbed the spot behind her ears.
I nodded in acknowledgment. “How are you?”
“Fine.”
“Won’t you join us?” I said.
She shook her head. I wondered why she kept throwing glances at me if she didn’t want to talk. And why she looked more miserable than usual. Surely her life improved after moving in with Captain Greenwood?
“You don’t have to pretend we’re friends,” Narcissa said just as I decided to leave.
I
