I waited to one side, making space for the ceremony. I only had a small part to play in—
Every thought I’d ever had shattered.
I couldn’t draw breath.
My heart might’ve stopped.
Because at the end of the aisle stood a goddess.
Loose red hair spilled against a gown that seemed to be made of molten gold. The strapless bodice draped over her full breasts, clinging and cupping to highlight every curve, even the points of her nipples and the fresh piercings either side. It nipped in at her waist before the skirt flowed over her round hips like liquid metal.
She carried a simple bunch of white narcissi, signifying spring and growth—the potential of new beginnings. Each step revealed her thigh through the long slit, and on that glorious thigh sat a golden serpent.
This time it wasn’t only like she was mine—she truly was.
For a moment, I thought someone had added a drum to the lilting music, but it was my pulse, heavy and so, so loud it could’ve shaken the earth.
Even from this distance, I could pick out the deep green of her eyes locked on me. A faint smile edged her lips—perhaps because I was staring.
I could bump Sepher out the way—fight him for the spot—and make this into our wedding instead.
As she arrived at the front and nodded to Sepher, I swallowed. Get a grip. This was a royal wedding. I was here for professional reasons.
You are the Night Queen’s Shadow, not a lovestruck boy.
Though maybe I was both.
By the time she handed Sepher the white narcissi and went to one of the chairs in the front row, I’d pulled myself together enough to incline my head to her, though my eyes might’ve burned a hole through her dress in the meantime.
Fuck. I mean, fuck. She had no business looking that good—not when I could do nothing about it.
With a deep breath, I dragged my attention away from her, though it kept flicking back. Especially as, now she was seated, the skirt fell open, showing off her legs even more.
A tall, willowy woman followed as the next attendant. It took me a moment to recognise her as one of Sepher’s childhood friends.
When Zita arrived, I caught Sepher gulping as a lovestruck expression spread over his face. In deep cerulean blue, she looked beautiful, but she wasn’t Katherine.
My Katherine.
Those two words went round and round in my head as the ceremony started, and it was only because my shadows nudged me that I stirred from my daze in time to give Dusk’s blessing to the marriage. Kat’s gaze seared into me as I spoke, and the need to get her to myself grew more intense.
The rest of the ceremony felt like it took at least a century to pass, and even once it was over, I had to wait for Sepher and Zita to leave, followed by the other attendant, and then Kat, her hips swaying as she walked away. I could only stare at her exposed back and her backside clad in the metallic fabric.
I rubbed my fingers together, wondering if it felt slippery.
Once she was out of the room and the guests started filing after her, I checked the mezzanine for two of my operatives, posing as guests. With a moment’s eye contact, they confirmed all was well.
Ceremony done. Now for the ball.
83
Bastian
It felt odd to pass through the door leading to Dawn’s side of the palace, but they were our hosts. I tried to catch up to Kat, but a guard pulled me to one side with a question about weapons.
Guests had to surrender them in the grand hall before entering Dawn. I’d left my Shadowblade in my office. If anything happened, it wasn’t far, and I didn’t trust it with anyone else. It sat on my desk with Kat’s bow and dagger—her ring would allow her to enter and pick them up if she needed to.
Gods willing, she wouldn’t.
By the time I entered the party, music and chatter already filled the large entrance chamber as folk gathered drinks and stopped to talk or continued into the ballroom itself. I spotted Faolán towering above everyone else and the top of Rose’s strawberry blond head next to him. She nodded enthusiastically to someone in their group, and as the crowd shifted, I caught a glimpse of deep red hair and molten gold. My legs were already moving before I consciously registered it was Kat.
On the far side of the group, King Lucius passed, acknowledging Kat with a nod as he did. It left a little twitch of unease in my gut. What had unCavendish told him about her? I would have to press my spy to get closer to him.
But that was a matter for another day.
I eased in beside her, hand sliding around her waist as I nodded at the rest of the group—Ella, Asher, and Perry. Fluffy, a bow tied around her neck, came and sat at my side. Ariadne and Lysander were already dancing.
Kat’s chest rose and fell as she straightened and saw it was me. “Why, if it isn’t the Night Queen’s Shadow.” Holding two drinks, she gave a mock bow, which gave me an excellent view of her cleavage. “To what do we owe the honour?”
“I heard there was a goddess here and wouldn’t believe it until I saw for myself, but…” I let my gaze glide over her. “I see the reports were no exaggeration.”
Ella chuckled over her wine glass. “Painted in gold, no less. How Ari made it, I have no idea.”
Kat’s cheeks went that pink shade I loved. “She’s a genius. I’m just a canvas.” A flicker at the corner of her mouth revealed her pleasure at being admired.
I traced a small circle on Kat’s back and ate up the shiver that worked through her. “Ari clearly has good taste in art supplies.”
Asher smirked and looked away, shaking his head. He hovered at Perry’s side, not quite touching her. As Rose squeezed Faolán’s arm, he met my gaze with an apologetic smile. We needed to talk, but now was not the time.
As the others started chatting about the ceremony, Kat held out one of her glasses of wine—the kind that could get her drunk despite her magic. “I got you a drink.”
“Don’t you want it?” The other was almost empty.
She glanced away, shaking her head. “I decided to only have one today.”
A tightness I’d been carrying in my chest since she’d woken in Elfhame eased. I took the glass and passed it to Asher. “I’ll save it for after we dance.” I held out my hand. “If this divinity will bless me with one, that is?”
“There are a lot of people here.”
I shrugged. “Well, you’re no longer married, and I’d say the cat’s somewhat out of the bag when it comes to the fact you’re important to me. Please, divine one. Or will you make me beg?”
The corner of her mouth twitched. “How could I possibly say no to such a pious devotee?” She passed her drink to Ella, then took my hand.