Page 54 of The King of Hearts

I spot Emersyn right away from the jade satin dress she wears. She’s standing across the room with her mother and father.

“I’m going to go say hello to Emersyn,” I tell my family as I release Cassio’s arm.

I walk across the floor, smiling at several people I know, and stop at Emersyn’s side. I touch her elbow when she doesn’t notice my presence at first.

She turns, and I get my first glimpse of her mask. It covers the top half of her face, the jade-colored lace and beads almost an exact replica of her eyes.

“You look absolutely beautiful,” I say, lifting a finger to one of the feathers that fan out from the sides of her mask.

She eyes me up and down, taking in my black sequin and silk, strapless evening gown, before settling on my mask. “So do you. That mask is stunning. Where did you get it?”

“Would you believe me if I told you I bought it from a kid at the market?”

Her eyes widen behind her mask. “Seriously?”

I laugh. “Yes. Somehow it ended up in a thrift store, and the girl’s mother bought it for her.”

She dips her head closer. “Those are real black pearls, aren’t they?”

“They are. They had no idea the value of such a piece until I told them. I offered twice what it was worth because I knew I had to have it.”

A waiter stops by and we both grab a glass of champagne before we turn to face the rest of the room, checking to see who’s in attendance. An array of different colors from the women’s elaborate gowns and dramatic masks cluster throughout the room. Many of the men wear expensive black tuxedoes. I recognize most of the people here. Of course, it’s easy to do since I’ve been here since birth. A lot of people here grew up on the island.

I bring my glass to my mouth, but before I can take a sip, something knocks into my elbow. The glass tips to the side, spilling its contents, thankfully missing my dress.

“I’m so sorry, miss,” a horrified voice says.

I look over at the young waitress. She looks to be about my and Emersyn’s age and appears flustered at her blunder.

“No harm done.” I turn to face her, offering her a smile. “See? Not a drop on my dress.”

By the reddening of her cheeks, she doesn’t seem to be appeased. “Please allow me to go fetch you another drink.”

“What’s your name?” I ask.

“Serafina.”

“Another drink would be great. Thank you, Serafina.”

She dips her head and takes the empty flute from me before turning and walking away.

“I don’t think I’ve seen her before,” Emersyn comments as we watch her disappear into the crowd. “Have you?”

“No. I guess she recently moved here.”

We turn back to the dance floor for more people watching.

“Your brothers are looking fine tonight,” Emersyn remarks, looking across the room to where my brothers stand talking with Braxton and Ryker.

“You should ask one of them to dance,” I suggest.

My brothers are two of the only men that Emersyn doesn’t actively flirt with. She may remark occasionally on their looks,but she doesn’t act the same way she does toward other good-looking, single men. I think it’s because she grew up around them and thinks of them more as brothers than possible bedmates.

“Maybe I will,” she replies, giving me a cheeky grin.

A prickling sensation hits the back of my neck, like there’re eyes on me. I swivel my head around, taking in all of the people throughout the room. Everyone is in their own bubble, paying no attention to me, but I swear someone’s watching.

I’m just about to ask Emersyn if she feels it too, but a large body steps in front of us. It only takes me a moment to recognize the eyes through the holes in his mask.

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