Page 68 of What Whispers in the Dark
Had he seen the way she stared at it the day after they invaded Kadamar’s castle? When he was so thoroughly occupied with finding trinkets to fill his tent-ship of stolen treasures, he’d noticed her confused and enticed by it?
Jade lightly touched her fingertip to the crown. Lightly brushed along the rain-slicked curved surface. “I…”
Did she want it?Whyhad it gripped her so inside that room? Such a trivial little thing. Something of no importance, easily made by whittling wood or buying from a trading shop of forgotten belongings, just to fill a bored mind during an hour of strategy-filled entertainment.
She didn’t even know how to play the game. No one ever taught her. But Jade found herself wrapping her fingers around it, pulling it to her lap, and admitting, “I don’t know why.” Why she wanted it. But she did know there wassomethingabout it that indeed made her reach out and take it.
Akin to fatherly delight on Winter Solstice morning, Aiden’s cheeks swelled. It was almost as ifhewere the one to receive a gift. The exact look she’d glimpsed countless times when he’d secured whatever bounty the Cursed Sails crew had procured on their dangerously thrilling adventures.
Rain seeped down her neck and inside her jacket. Jade scanned the ivory chess piece one last time before she slippedit into the pocket over her heart inside and leaned her head on Aiden’s shoulder. Still, she didn’t know why that game piece felt so vital, but she whispered, “Thank you.”
For bringing her up there.
For letting her feel the rain.
For everything he had ever done, then and now.
Aiden kissed her hair. Tender and warm, as he said between the rain, “Always, love.”
They must’ve been a spectacle to see. A thing of ice and snow and frost draped on an Elysian nightmare. Light and darkness. Shadow and starfire. Perfectly flattering each other as they ambled around the ballroom.
Alora couldn’t stop staring at Garrik. Couldn’t stop feeling his lips on hers. How his hands had greedily palmed her flesh, claiming her as if she were worth more than his crown and kingdom.
Stars, gazing at him … though everyone else saw the gray-haired demon prowling, prepared to deliver ruination at the simplest offense, somehow, she saw the real and honest smile behind those razor-tipped teeth. The one he never showed anyone but her.
Until the moment those names were called …
Announced in ceremony but spoken like a poisonous vapor …
As if the ground had dissolved like sand from underneath them, Alora snapped her attention to the gilded doors. Those vile creatures strolled inside like polished gold but corrosive as rusting iron, and the very air around them filled with her promised threat to carve out their hearts before they so much as touched Garrik again.
This deletedscene is settled between Alora and Garrik on the dragon throne making a mockery of Ladomyr and the firework display on the balcony where Garrik forced Erissa and her cronies to bow before Alora in Chapter Fifty. It is rumored the royal family made memorable appearances at the masquerades; this one is truly unforgettable.
There aretrigger warnings for this chapter.
The sky was dark enough for the floating faelights to drift around the grand balcony, casting shimmers like starlight on the potted shrubbery and the multitude of couches and chairs.
Inside the ballroom, Garrik hadn’t left her side since their show on the dais. And to credit Ladomyr’s doubtful fealty, herwineglass was never empty—always tested by Smokeshadows before taking a single sip.
It was nearing the time to gather on the balcony, to witness a display of magic in the skies, when the Master of Ceremonies slammed his saber on the floor and announced loud enough that the High City far below could hear, “The Serpent Queen of Galdheir.”
Garrik froze. He wasn’t breathing.
Locked in time, he did nothing more than sway. Eyes as wide as the moon himself stared forward at the wall, the tapestries and curtains.
But those next words …
Even her knees began trembling.
“… and ourHigh King, Magnelis.”
Every face was turned to the doorway. Some began to bow, but Alora swung in front of Garrik, searching his distant eyes.Look at me,she pleaded.Look at me.
Her High Prince blanched of color. A strangled noise came from his throat before he deepened a breath, shoulders tight, and sealed his eyes closed.
But Alora grabbed his face, disregarding what everyone was doing around them, uncaring if it was treason to remain standing, when Garrik, with deathly calm, choked out, “Run. Before he sees.” He didn’t sound like himself. That beastly voice thrummed from him before eyes like the night opened, and he backed out of her embrace like her touch was a personal insult. Like she meant nothing to him.
She weathered it, knowing … knowing if Magnelis could see …
