Page 85 of Demon's Bane

After that, the slide was even slower. Standing in the back of the hall during all-coven gatherings. Staying at the fringes during the ceremonies near the Veil. Coming back for yearly service, but not bothering to make any trips north beyond that. Seeing all the bonds and twisted vines of sisterhood grow closer for the witches who were chosen, and watching them fray for those who weren’t.

“It wasn’t all bad, was it?” I ask, clinging desperately to something, anything, to justify the choices I’ve made over the last few weeks. “Being a part of the coven, it wasn’t all bad.”

Allie pauses a few moments before she shakes her head. “Maybe not. But that doesn’t mean the good was enough to make up for the rest of it.”

She’s right. I know she’s right.

Still, that doesn’t ease the tightening in my throat or the oily sheen of guilt coating the bottom of my stomach.

“It’s fucked, you know?” Allie says with a short, bitter laugh. “How much better things could be if they all weren’t looking over their shoulders all the time, worried about who’s got the power and who they can step on to grab a little bit more.”

“Ah yes, the central tenant of the Crescent Coven ‘fuck everyone else over lest ye yourself be fucked.’”

Allie laughs at that, really laughs this time. “Goddess, I think it was that way even before mom was in charge. The very first memories I have of her always include her being stressed about this or that, having council members over for secret meetings when she was making her play for High Priestess, cursing the last High Priestess under her breath for always making things so damned difficult.”

“And on and on and on,” I mutter. “Do you think it’ll ever change?”

“As long as my mom’s in charge? I wouldn’t hold my breath.” Her expression falls, and it’s as upset as I’ve seen her all day.

And, just like Allie knows me, I know her. I know it’s absolutely no good to let her get lost in brooding over her mom and the state of the coven, not when we’ve got something better to look forward to tonight.

“Are we always such a bummer?” I ask, drawing her out of those thoughts. “I think I remember us being more fun than this.”

“Definitely more fun,” she agrees, then stands and nods toward the door. “Come on. I’ve got something that will make us feel better.”

“Why do I feel like ‘something’ means fancy gowns and getting ready for a ball?”

“Because you’re clairvoyant, apparently.” Allie grabs my hand when I don’t get up right away, pulling me from my seat. “And because you’ve got an incredibly hot demon date waiting for you.”

“Ready for this?” Allie asks.

We’re standing just outside the great hall where the sounds of the ball already in full swing filter out to us—laughter and music and cheerful conversation.

“No.”

Allie just laughs, then takes both my hands in hers. Spreading my arms wide, she takes a long look at her handiwork and hums in approval.

“Yes, you are. And looking like this? You’re going to blow Rhett’s freaking mind.”

Despite my protests, Allie insisted on making my entrance a surprise for Rhett. I would have rather us just shown up together, but apparently she’s all about the dramatics tonight.

“It’s not like this is a wedding where he can’t see me in the dress,” I grumble.

I still don’t know how to feel about all of this. The ball. The dress. The fact that we’re staying here tonight in a set of fancy guest rooms in the royal wing when I know Rhett would probably rather be back in his village helping out. I’m sure heonly stayed because it was what I wanted to do, and although I’m painfully curious about what it might be like to attend a ball in the demon realm, it’s not without a healthy measure of guilt.

“Already thinking about weddings, huh?” Allie teases. “Maybe we should have found you something in white.”

I roll my eyes, but truly, I can’t imagine anything more beautiful than the dress I’m wearing.

The gown is long enough to brush the floor and as black as the night sky, with just as much sparkle. I don’t know if it’s the demon equivalent of glitter or actual diamonds woven into the fabric, but the way it catches the light each time I move is breathtaking.

It’s also cut perfectly to fit my body, with a vee in the front that drops to the middle of my sternum, and a draped, open back. With two wisps of black fabric acting as straps to hold it up and a slit up the left side that exposes me to mid-thigh, it almost leaves more of me bare than it covers.

My hair is curled into loose waves that brush down my bare back. My eyes are lined dark, lips reddened and bold, and I’ve got a dusting of more sparkle over my collarbones and trailing down between my breasts.

And despite my slight irritation with Allie for making all of this a bigger deal than it needs to be, I can’t argue her claim.

Rhettisgoing to lose his damn mind.

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