Page 74 of A Curse of Hope and Shadows: Part I
“No,” Thomas said, biting away a grin, “but I was curious to know howyouthought about it.”
Dimitri glared, anger quickly quashing his dread. “I could have you dismissed.”
“You threatened to have Miss Adeline dismissed once or twice. Hasn’t happened yet.”
“That’s because I—” He stopped, wondering what he meant to say, what words ended that sentence. He already knew he liked her,Thomasalready knew that. Somewhere there was another expression, a word he didn’t dare use, one that summed up all the want and need, the desire to be with her in other, deeper ways he had no name for, the myriad of hope and despair.
“You’re being too bold, Thomas,” he reminded him.
“Apologies, My Lord. It won’t happen again.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“You are wise to.”
Dimitri was buttoned in and smoothed down, wearing more layers than he had in years. The waistcoat was one Adeline had adjusted for him, dark blue and black. It wouldn’t be too ostentatious at the gathering, especially under his coat and cape, but he was aware he would be dressed finer than the rest of the company.
“Gloves?” Thomas held up a pair. They’d been especially commissioned to fit around his misshapen hand.
“Ofcoursegloves!” Dimitri snapped, yanking them from him. Thomas stepped back as he wrestled into them, fur hidden by black leather. He stared down at both of them. From afar, covered, the left didn’t look so bad, but up close it was still clear he was hiding something.
Thomas handed him a mask; it was one shaped like a fox, including false ears which would hide his inhuman one, along with most of his fur. A scarf would probably conceal the rest.
“Miss Adeline thought a wolf one might be a little too tongue-in-cheek,” Thomas explained.
“She’s a thoughtful woman.”
“She’s certainly that.” Thomas helped him arrange the mask, tying it at the back of his head and looping a scarf around his neck in a similar bright red of the fox face. “Care to see your reflection, sir?”
Dimitri paused, trying to remember the last time he’d looked at himself—really looked. He’d catch glimpses in the polished surfaces outside of his room, but he’d mastered the art of turning away his gaze.
“Go on, then,” he said, half wishing he hadn’t.
Thomas returned in a few minutes with a full-length mirror he must have taken from one of the other bedrooms. He positioned it to give Dimitri a better angle.
Slowly, Dimitri raised his eyes. It wasn’t a horrific image. The clothes were fine, and did a good job of hiding the lumps on his back.
It wasn’t him staring back, though.
“Could you… could you remove the mask?”
“As you wish, My Lord.”
Thomas tugged it free, and Dimitri watched as the two portions of his face spilled into view.
He looked at the worst half, first, the tangle of dark fur, the glaring red eye. It didn’t seem as frightening as it once did.
The second half was better. He wasn’t growing up to look like his father, which was a relief. He had his mother’s dark gold hair and sharpness of features, even if he stuck with his father’s eyes. Or eye, at the moment. The other one was the monster’s.
Except it didn’t look quite so monstrous as he remembered.
Doubtless it was worse when he was fully transformed.
“Thank you, Thomas, that will be all.”
Thomas returned the mirror and helped him put the mask back on. “Miss Adeline is waiting for you below, sir.”
“Excellent,” Dimitri said, trying to still the panic in his voice. “Let’s not keep her waiting, then.”
