Page 103 of House of Malice
“Why aren’t you dressed yet?” Alecto asked, looking at the brides. They didn’t answer. “Go get fucking dressed! Now!”
To Alecto’s relief, they both obeyed her. Alecto helped Jolene into her fancy gown, while Leigh put on her lace suit.
“Now, Jolene, it is normal to feel stressed out,” Alecto said.
“You don’t understand,” Jolene said, her eyes full of unshed tears. “I don’t want to see their disappointment. They won’t want to see me ever again. They will shun me, and I will be the fallen heir to the Frones.”
Alecto took her by the shoulders and said, “They will be shocked, sure. But they will not shun you. You are the golden child. They might be unhappy, but at the end of the day, they will have to make peace with it. Because you are also the only heir. And if legacy is as important to them as you say, then they will have to suck it up.”
Jolene leaned in and whispered into Alecto’s ear, “And what if they decide to kill Leigh to get her out of their way, huh? Clearly, my aunties are capable of horrible things. I could not live with myself—”
“Jolene, they won’t kill your fucking wife,” Alecto whispered back. “They are capable of murder, but not of someone whose death would completely break your heart. Gods, how did you even come up with this shit?”
Jolene squared her shoulders. “Well, what can I do? With all the recent findings about our families, anything seems possible.”
Alecto had to agree with her. Anything was possible. And while Alecto tried to appear as sure and calm as possible for Jolene, she wasn’t so sure her aunties wouldn’t do something drastic.
“Okay, I get it,” Alecto whispered back. “But trust me on this one. No need to panic just yet.”
Jolene nodded and took a deep breath.
“Now, crisis averted,” Alecto said, turning to the rest of the group. Leigh looked relieved. “Moira said the guests are gathering downstairs already. So let’s make our way there too.”
Andro and Val rose to their feet, and they all followed Jolene and Leigh down to the first floor.
They invited half of Venefica, faculty and students alike, and then more people from all over the realm who were considered close friends of the family.
“Rain! Zion!” Jolene gasped and ran over to the two tall guys with emerald eyes and dark hair. Alecto recognized them from somewhere but couldn’t remember where. “I can’t believe you made it!”
“Of course, we did,” one of the guys said, hugging her. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
She hugged the other guy as well. They were identical twins, Alecto realized.
“Oh my Gods! Rune!” Jolene noticed another guy standing with a beautiful redhead. “And you too, Lo!”
They all embraced each other with tight warm hugs. Then Jolene turned to their group and said, “Guys, these are my friends from Old Haven. We grew up together.”
For the next few moments, they all exchanged greetings and other pleasantries. Alecto noticed Blaze’s intent gaze focused on her from the other side of the lounge. He leaned on his elbow against the brass bar, a glass of what she guessed was whiskey in his hand.
Alecto was tempted to go up to him, but then out of the corner of her eye, she caught Galliermo and Auburn standing together with Rufus and Octavia.
She immediately looked away, afraid that her face would betray her longing.
“Oh, what a beautiful event.” Alatar’s voice came from behind Alecto, and chills went down her back. “Congratulations, Jolene.”
With a stiff back, Alecto turned to see her father in a white suit. He had a pleasant smile on his face, and Alecto could barely keep her face straight.
Alatar wasn’t supposed to be here today.
After he was done congratulating Jolene and Leigh, he put one of his hands on the small of Alecto’s back and said, “Great job, sweet pumpkin. The house looks beautiful and ready for the handfasting ceremony.”
Alecto managed a weak smile. Thankfully, her father soon noticed Galliermo and the rest, so he excused himself from the group.
“Jolene,” came a low, pleasant voice from behind Alecto again. Jolene froze, looking over her shoulder. “You look absolutely stunning, my dear.”
Alecto turned to see Lyra and Reverie, with an elderly witch standing in front of them. Jolene’s grandmother.
Despite her age, she looked elegant and lively. She wore a pink Chanel tweed suit, and her neck was lined with three rows of pearls.
