Page 23 of Bound By Stardust
“Tonight is the banquet; perhaps an opportunity to test my theory will arise there. I believe the Masters have a bad reaction to the stardust against their skin. But that’s the problem: they wear masks, long robes, and gloves. One never sees their true appearance.”
“So you hope to catch them unaware, when their guard is down during a night of inhibitions.”
I smiled at her. She ducked her head and shifted away, but I knew she was warming to me.
Sometimes, she strayed too near, lingering with a hand on my shoulder, waiting for one of my impulsive kisses. She enjoyed those, even though she pretended not to.
After a beat, her eyes danced back to mine, holding my gaze as something there softened. I half rose when a tap came at the door.
Asira didn’t hesitate. She fled into the adjoining chamber while I marched toward the door, then doubled back and snatched up the wig and mask. After hastily checking my appearance in the looking glass, I cracked open the door.
A golden mask glimmered back at me, a star-shaped symbol on the left cheek.
“Iscariot,” he whispered.
“Jabel,” I grunted.
He punched my arm. “Having fun yet? Where is she?”
“Asleep,” I shrugged, my fingers closing into a fist.
“Oh, well, when you get tired of your new possession, it’s happening tonight, after the banquet.”
I hadn’t the faintest idea what might be happening. “Come and remind me, lest I get carried away.”
Jabel snorted. “You lucky bastard. Are the humans really as…you know…”
I eased the door shut. “Later, Jabel.”
Leaning against the closed door, I glanced at the scroll again. Shame it hadn’t revealed any secrets. Apparently, whatever the fae knew about the Masters, they had taken with them into another realm. It was a foolish idea to involve Asira in this madness. Tonight, I would take the stardust and ruin them.
Inside the wardrobe, I discovered clothes for the ceremony: a suit of black and gold for myself and a dress of silver and gold for Asira. I laid them on the foot of the bed and slipped into the washroom to bathe and prepare.
When I stepped back out, fully dressed, Asira was also dressed and standing in front of one of the full-length looking glasses.
I paused in the doorway, for Asira had transformed from the simple Stardust Collector, with a stain on her gown, to someone else, someone wondrous.
The gown gathered around her throat, leaving her back bare, while a ruffled train swept the ground, showing off her legs in the front. The thin material molded to her body, leaving nothing to the imagination. I fought to rein in my jealousy, aware I wanted nothing more than to hide her in the room.
She peeked over her shoulder then turned around, loose curls gracing her shoulders. I crossed the room to her in three long strides, cupping her face and brushing my lips over hers.
She stilled.
I held the kiss, waiting until she melted against me, her lips parting and hands coming up to grip my arms. I deepened the kiss, rewarded with a soft moan as she tilted her head back, pressing her body against mine. It was tempting to push her back against the bed and make sweet love to her.
When I pulled back, her eyes were depthless pools of desire, and she cleared her throat, teeth dragging at her bottom lip, enticing me to kiss her again. That cold defiance returned, but she didn’t pull away. Fingertips touched my hand, not quite stroking but not pulling my hand away either.
“We’ve delayed long enough, and I can’t help but think about the other Chosen. We can’t stand by and let them endure another week here. We need to take action and get proof.”
Nodding, I caught her hand and kissed it. “Tonight.”
15
Asira
Icraned my neck, taking in the sights as I walked down the hall on Drazhan’s arm. Chandeliers hung from the peaked ceiling, glittering crystals catching the ebb and flow of light. Columns of gold dotted the hall, while paintings and glass frescos covered the walls. My eyes rounded, and moisture filled my mouth as I stared at the banquet.
Golden tables filled the space, Masters weaving between them, taking their seats. To one side, musicians warmed up their instruments. In front of the banquet tables was an open space, I guessed for dancing. Nothing as elaborate as this display had taken place in Terrin. There was even a bonfire in the center, smoke escaping through a hole in the ceiling. Three boars roasted over the fire, slowly turned by masked cooks.
