Page 71 of The Fractured Veil

Zarek chuckled, sitting up straighter. "Ouch, someone's feisty today." His eyes flicked to Nox, and his smirk widened. "What did you do to her, brother?"

Nox shrugged, his expression remaining calm—though I could see the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Nothing she didn’t enjoy," he replied, his voice smooth. I shot him a look, my mouth falling open at this playful side of Nox. He winked, clearly enjoying my flustered reaction.

Damon watched the exchange, his gaze thoughtful before he finally spoke. "You two seem... closer."

There was something in his voice—an undercurrent I couldn't quite place. It wasn't disapproval, but it wasn’t entirely joy either. It was more like cautious observation, as if he was trying to decipher the meaning behind our newfound ease with each other. I glanced at Nox, who met his brother's eyes with a steady look.

"We're figuring things out," Nox said simply, his tone carrying a weight of meaning that made my heart skip a beat. It was a simple statement, but it held a promise of something more.

Damon nodded slowly, his eyes shifting back to me. The air seemed to shift, the tension easing as Zarek let out a dramatic sigh. "We should play a game." He clapped his hands together, effectively breaking the spell of Damon's scrutiny.

Nox glanced at me, "What do you say, Thalia? You up for it?"

"Why not?" I sighed, dropping onto their plush, oversized couch, sinking into its comfortable embrace. Zarek grinned, already on his feet and heading towards the kitchen. "That's the spirit. I'll get the snacks." He disappeared down the hallway, his cheerful voice echoing back to us.

As the evening unfolded, I found myself relaxing, enjoying the easy banter between the brothers. Even Damon seemed to loosen up a bit, his usual guarded demeanor cracking to reveal glimpses of a dry wit and a surprisingly competitive spirit. The shadows that had once seemed so menacing now danced playfully around us. It felt like a stolen moment, a secret world tucked away from the prying eyes.

Chapter28

Thalia’s POV

The day of the formal had finally arrived, and with it, a swarm of butterflies took flight in my stomach. My nerves were on edge as Elara worked with the precision and care of a seasoned artist, her fingers easily applying my makeup. We’d done this before—the night of the party—but today felt different, more significant. Like tonight would change everything.

She evened my skin tone with a lightweight foundation, letting my freckles peek through, giving me a natural, sun-kissed glow. A soft peach blush highlighted the sharp angles of my cheekbones, adding a touch of warmth to my pale complexion. For my eyes, she used a palette of warm, earthy tones that brought out the stormy gray, adding soft pink and deeper mauve to the crease to make them look bigger and brighter. A perfect winged liner gave them an elegant lift, and a coat of mascara made my lashes long and fluttery. She finished with a muted rose lipstick that made my lips look fuller and more defined.

I barely recognized myself in the mirror. The makeup wasn’t heavy or overdone, but it artfully highlighted everything I secretly loved about my features—the stormy gray of my eyes, the sprinkling of freckles across my nose, the natural curves of my lips.

Elara stepped back, a satisfied grin on her face as she surveyed her work. "You look incredible, Thalia," she said, her eyes meeting mine in the mirror. "They are not going to know what hit them."

I smiled, a blush creeping onto my cheeks that had nothing to do with the makeup. "Thanks, El. I just hope..."

El rolled her eyes dramatically, playfully swatting my shoulder. "Oh please. You could show up in a potato sack and those boys would still be tripping over themselves for you."

I laughed, shaking my head. The thought was both flattering and slightly terrifying. "I guess we’ll see."

El grinned, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Alright, now let's get dressed. We’ve got a formal to conquer." She pulled me away from the mirror and toward the closet.

As I unzipped the dress that had been left for me, a gasp escaped my lips. It was breathtaking—far more extravagant than anything I’d ever worn. Zarek, when he found out about us all going to the formal, had assured me not to worry. He simply winked and told me to trust him. And he was right.

An emerald-green dress, sparkling with tiny sequins that shimmered like captured starlight, hugged my curves in all the right places. Sheer, embroidered sleeves—delicate as a spider's web—added an elegant touch, while the sweetheart neckline and daring high slit gave it a touch of playful sensuality. It was bold yet refined, a perfect balance of innocence and allure, and it fit like a glove—as if it had been made specifically for me.

My auburn hair cascaded down my back in soft, flowing waves. El had worked her magic, adding a few loose braids woven into the sides and pinned at the back, giving my hair an almost fae-like look.

El’s eyes widened, her jaw dropping slightly. "Damn, Thalia! You look sexy as hell!"

I couldn’t help the shy smile that spread across my face, a blush warming my cheeks. "You really think so?" I asked, still not quite believing it myself.

"Are you kidding? If Nox, Zarek, and even Damon aren’t on their knees when they see you, they’re bigger idiots than I thought." El grinned, her excitement contagious. "Girl, you’re going to steal the show tonight. Just try not to cause any incidents, okay?" She winked.

"El, you look amazing," I said. She was wearing a deep red dress that hugged her figure perfectly, with delicate lace details on the corset that added a romantic touch. Her chestnut hair was pinned back in an updo, a few strands framing her face, and her smokey eye makeup made her tinted red eyes look even more intense. It was a look that screamed confidence and power—and I knew she would command attention the moment she stepped into the hall.

She grinned, twirling slightly so the dress flowed around her legs. "I figured if you're going to steal the show, we might as well do it together." She laughed.

We walked into the living room, the air catching in my lungs as I took in the sight before me. Damon, Nox, and Zarek stood near the door. It was like they had stepped out of a dream.

Zarek had opted for a more casual look. His black shirt was slightly unbuttoned, revealing a hint of his bare chest beneath, where I could see the edges of his tattoos peeking out. His messy dark hair fell into his amber eyes, partially obscuring the intensity that always simmered within them. A playful smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as his eyes raked over me, making my cheeks flush slightly. He looked effortlessly handsome, with that dangerous edge that seemed to follow him everywhere.

Damon, on the other hand, was impeccably put together. He wore an all-black suit with a crisp black tie, his dark hair perfectly styled—except for that same damn rebellious strand that always seemed to fall across his forehead. His deep blue eyes held an intensity that made it hard to look away—he looked like a fallen angel. Which, considering his demonic nature, was ironic.

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