Page 116 of When the Wicked Sing
“It’s from my family.” He leaned over her and kissed her deeply. “They just want to check in, make sure I didn’t lose you in the forest,” he said with a grin, and then kissed her again before sitting up. “C’mon. Let me finish you up.”
“What are you painting anyway?” she asked, glancing down at herself as he pulled her up by the hand and toward his painting studio.
“Patience.” He winked. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Chapter 63
Marianafeltbeautiful.Justlike she had when she saw her portrait. His love was evident in the designs and details he put into the artwork covering her body.
The stars and clouds covering her chest merged with beautiful, flowering vines that twisted around her arms. Her stomach and hips appeared like they were wrapped in the sea’s comforting embrace. Swirling waves descended her thighs, leaving her knees bare. He left her scales and a few of her tattoos on display.
Fearing she would be too exposed under the watchful and judging aristocratic gazes of the fae that would be attending the ball, she donned the shimmering cover-up from her discarded dress on the floor. It covered her bare shoulders and was secure at the waist, where it billowed around her hips down to her calves.
“Ophelia will be sad I didn’t wear the dress she picked out,” Mariana mentioned.
Dax shrugged. “You wore half of it.” His fingers glided along the edge of the cover-up, barely touching the skin on her neck. She shivered, a smile playing on her lips.
She laughed when he picked up her hand and spun her around. Then their lips touched, molding together. The heated kiss he gave her had her on the verge of begging for more, but he pulled back with a groan.
“The ball started almost an hour ago. You need to get going. You have a treaty to sign and your people to save.”
Mariana swallowed, her muscles tightening as anxiety reared its glaring head. The crown she wore felt heavier than ever.
“Come with me,” she whispered. “Please.”
“I shouldn’t …” he started. “I wasn’t invited.”
She shrugged, a hint of a mischievous smile pulling her lips. “You’re my guest. You’re coming with me.”
Dax smiled and gave her a sweet peck on her lips. “As you command, Your Majesty.”
He dressed quickly in his finest outfit, made up of a black collared, long-sleeved shirt beneath a black and silver vest, black pants, and polished shoes. Then he took her hand and led her out of his rooms and through the palace.
Mariana struggled to breathe right, not paying any attention to the few looks the passing servants gave them as they approached the entrance to the Spring Solstice Ball.
“I’m nervous,” she whispered as she stared ahead.
The white granite staircase leading into the heart of the palace was practically endless. Daunting. It could lead her to make the best choice for her people or doom them all.
“You can do this,” Dax replied with a squeeze of his hand and began to lead her up the staircase.
Each step Mariana took felt like one step closer to sealing the fate of her sisters. Gravity pulled her muscles, every stepstraining her, urging her to turn around. But there was no other choice. She had to get the amulet back. For Astra. For Celeste. For Cybele.
Chattering voices and melodic music began filling the space between her heart and her head. Taking a deep breath, she took the final step and entered the fray.
The ballroom smelled of fresh flowers and citrus. Stunning, vibrant petals covered the floor, soft beneath Mariana’s bare feet. The ceiling had glowing bulbs and colorful flowers hanging across it in a complicated pattern that highlighted the bright, sparkling chandelier in the center. Then there were the guests, sauntering around each other like flaunting birds trying to prove who wore it best. At least … until they noticed her standing there. With Dax by her side.
The crowd gawked, parting a path for them as they began walking through the flock. Eyes roamed over her body like it truly was a masterpiece—or a scandalous statement.
Mariana paid them no mind. Instead, she focused on the small crowd at the back and made her way toward the sound of opulent privilege and egotistical laughter.
Halia’squeenlinesswas on full display. Gold seemed to encase her, as though she was a gilded doll. The long, flowing gown she wore was literally leaving gold flakes behind as she walked. Perhaps a tribute to her lost father. Her diamond cape glittered down from her shoulders to the floor, making her sparkle so bright that the massive chandelier above her appeared dim. The high slit in her dress exposed her thighs all the way to her tall heels in a regal ensemble. And lastly, the final piece thatestablished Halia’s royalty was the shining crown on her head. The same crown that had lived atop the king’s head.
Mariana watched in amusement as Halia’s dramatic smile disappeared upon seeing her. She sneered when her eyes landed on Mariana’s bare feet.
“I see you took my instructions quiteliterally.Could you be wearing any less?” The fae crowd around her giggled.
Mariana tilted her head. “In my culture, clothing means nothing. Instead, our bodies are to be cherished. My bodyisart. You’re just lucky Dax painted it.” She glanced at Dax, who stood beside her, stoic and unwavering.
