Her hair was already pinned up and styled. She clearly didn’t need any help.

  When Michaela walked in, my stomach dropped.

  She was the younger of the two, just a year older than me, and was usually less cruel than the other two.

  She was wearing my dress.

  “I found this beautiful gown while doing inventory last night. What do you think of it?” Vivian smiled cruelly at me.

  I’d been looking at an empty dress box all day.

  “Isn’t it lovely, Nema?” Michaela asked excitedly.

  Nema.

  I wished they’d stop calling me that.

  I opened my mouth to speak, and Vivian smacked me hard across the face, making my jaw pop as I crumpled to the floor.

  I was so close to getting out for a night.

  Just one.

  How was that so much to ask for?

  “I expect every inch of this home scrubbed out while we’re gone. If I find a mote of dust when we get back, you’ll get far worse than this,” she spat at me.

  Her daughters didn’t offer any help. They never did. Zara watched with a pleased smile, and all Michaela did was look confused. I stayed down, not wanting to draw more of Vivian’s ire, and watched as they left.

  That was it.

  My night was over.

  I wanted to text Beth about the dress, but I didn’t want to ruin her night. She had been looking forward to this so much more than I was.

  When the house was finally empty, I stood and tried to regain my composure. At least I’d get the house to myself for a night. That was nice, right?

  Grabbing a bag of ice and a bottle of wine I would never touch otherwise, I slipped out into the back garden.

  The sun was low, leaving a golden glow and making the gazebo and gates cast long purple shadows over the beautiful plant life. I breathed deeply, icing the side of my face and hoping the bruise wouldn’t be too nasty.

  Vivian tended to punish me worse if the marks she left drew attention from customers.

  Struggling with the corkscrew, I opened the bottle of wine, which let out a loud ‘pop’ sound before foaming over the lip onto the garden path beneath me.

  The garden’s back gate opened, and I looked up as I sipped the wine.

  “I’d know that sound anywhere,” Hazel smiled as she approached. “Had to make my way over to make sure you weren’t causing trouble. No glass?” Although she was just a neighbor to everyone else in the home, she always seemed to show up exactly when I needed her.

  “Oh, no, it’s a single-serving bottle,” I joked.

  She laughed, the sweet wrinkles around her eyes deepening in delight. “What are we drinking about tonight?”

  I settled on a bench, and she sat beside me in happy silence.

  “I was going to go to the ball tonight, and Vivian took my dress and told me not to leave the house,” I admitted. “I just wanted one night out.”

  Hazel nodded beside me. Her gray hair looked golden in the sunlight, and somehow, I could easily picture what she looked like when she was younger—when she and my mom were friends growing up together.

  “Do you want to go?”

  “I don’t know, what do you see?”

  I didn’t usually depend on her gifts, but if she could tell me anything, it would help. I felt adrift. Every seer had different gifts, and although I never fully understood what Hazel’s was, she always had a knack for small glimpses into the near future.

  “I think if you go tonight, you’ll be able to shift for the first time,” she said.

  I laughed and then felt a strange mix of anger and envy. “I wish.”

  “Your wish will come true if you go.”

  I looked at her, expecting her to be laughing, too, but her face was strangely serene. Taking another sip of wine, I offered the bottle to her, and she indulged as well.

  “I don’t have a dress. What should I do?”

  A little wine ran down her cheek as she drank, and Hazel smiled like she was my age as she wiped it away. “I might be able to help you there.”

  Her house was a fun escape when I was a little kid.

  After my mom left and before my dad remarried, I’d sneak over and go through Hazel’s endless trinkets and beautiful belongings like they were a treasure trove. Living as neighbors made it feel like Hazel was the aunt I never had. She said that everything had a future and a past, and she liked to hold onto them until she could help their future come true.

  When Vivian moved in, she called Hazel a hoarder and forbade me from visiting.

  That didn’t mean I listened.

  “Beautiful girls need beautiful dresses, you know,” she said in a sing-song voice as she led me through her home and into a guest room. “Susan and I used to dance and spend our weekends looking forward to sunset until she found your father,” she explained.

  I nodded, pausing to look at her framed photo collection on the wall.

  They were girls together.

  My mother looked so excited at her side, so full of life. I wished I could meet her and get to know her, but that wasn’t possible.

  “Ah, here we are!”

  I turned and realized Hazel had disappeared deep within a walk-in closet. Following behind her, I felt like I was entering an older fashion magazine. She had a little bit of everything, and as I got closer, she pulled out a silver dress that took my breath away.

  The dress had a tight bodice, with lace and satin short sleeves that gave it a wide and beautiful neckline. The skirt had volume and swayed as Hazel carried it out of the closet.

  “This was your Susan’s,” she explained. “When she bought it, I saw someone else wearing it, and I thought at the time that it wasn’t meant for her.”

  My voice caught in my throat.

  This was my mom’s?

  Hazel laid it out across a desk in the room and walked back to the closet. I couldn’t resist touching the fabric, thinking about how my mom must have felt when she wore it a lifetime ago.

  “I don’t have any accessories she would have worn with it, but—ah, here we are.” I could hear her rummaging around.

  Was I really going to sneak out?

  Suddenly aware of the half-full wine bottle I was still carrying, I quickly set it on a window sill away from the dress. I didn’t need to risk staining this.

  “What’s a closet without silver opera gloves,” she laughed. “Also these. I know they’re your perfect fit.”

  She emerged from the closet carrying what looked like a pair of wine glasses, and after a moment, I realized they were shoes she was holding by their modest heels.

  “Are those made out of glass?”

  Hazel laughed and then looked at them seriously as though she’d never considered that. “I don’t know, they could be.”

  “You’re a Seer, shouldn’t you know?”

  She laughed harder and shook her head as she handed me the shoes. “I don’t know everything,” she said.

  I smiled and accepted the gloves as well.

  “Let’s get you dressed to go,” she said softly. Hazel’s eyebrows knit together for just a moment, and she froze. “Don’t stay beyond the witching hour of three am.”

  “What? Why would the party go that long?”

  “These parties can go until sunrise,” she explained. “Do not stay beyond three in the morning, or your life will be changed irrevocably.”

  “In a good way or a bad way?”

  Hazel’s face was ashen, and she shook her head. “I’m not sure. You should be careful.”

  Reaching up, she grabbed the bottle of wine from the windowsill and brought it to her lips. “I’ll finish this for you,” she offered.

  “Oh, god, I have to clean the house, Vivian—”

  “She’ll be too drunk to notice tonight. Clean in the morning when you get back.”

  I nodded and hugged her tight.

  Hazel was the last human connection I had to my parents. The only person who knew them before they married and became known primarily as bakers.

  I was going to finally get my time out.

  “I need a mask,” I said as we released the hug.

  “I’ve got just the thing for you.”

  Masked, dressed, and ready to go, Hazel loaded me into her car and drove me to the ball herself. I felt beautiful, but also ridiculous, like I wasn’t supposed to have any of this.

  I didn’t really earn it.

  Right?

  The idea made my chest feel tight with stress. I was just dressing up and hiding the worst parts of myself. Was there even any promise that I could shift?

  Hazel reached across the center console of her car and grabbed my hand as she parked. “You’re going to have such a good time tonight that you won’t want to come home. You have to, though. For your own safety.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  She shook her head, and before I could really argue with her I was stepping out of the car and she was driving away while wishing me luck. I could feel my heart hammering away in my chest, making my brain feel like I had to be on high alert.

  The outside of the castle was swamped with people.

  Not only were there countless women in dresses I could never dream of affording, but there were also reporters, gawkers, and men who were trying to gain entry to dance as well.

  I was late.

  The gates were too crowded.

  There was no way they were going to let me in when I was this terribly late. I approached, and the strangest thing started to happen.

  I could feel eyes on me.

  Most of my life was spent trying to be as unnoticeable as possible everywhere but work, but I could feel every pair of eyes within a few hundred feet staring at me. Sucking in my breath, I tried to avert my gaze, but I simply felt more eyes find me.

  “Beautiful,” a voice said softly.

  I looked over and an older gentleman was standing over me, looking like I was the most interesting thing he’d ever seen. “The ball is full,” he said softly. I couldn’t fight the disappointment that took over me.

  “They already hit their limit?”

  “Yes, I’m so sorry. Why not allow me to take you out to dinner to make up for it?”

  His voice was friendly, and I almost fell for it.

  “Miss, you’ve been selected,” a guard appeared. “Please follow me.”

  “Selected? I thought the ball was closed off?”

  “We’re still picking the last twenty women,” he answered.

  I was picked! My mouth popped open, but I had to force it shut immediately, reminding myself that this was what I wanted. This is what I was here for.

  “Please, follow me.”

  4

  Harris

  This was just another event. No different from library openings, social care announcements, and training the men who worked beneath me. The only difference was that one of these women was the future bride my parents were trying to lure me into marrying.

  Before the sunset, a small crowd was already at the castle gate.

  Some were women wearing dresses and masks that looked more costume than ballroom, and others were just nosy people excited about something new happening in the kingdom.

  Vultures.

  “An event of just women, and then you don’t seem well balanced,” Buck said.

  I shrugged. “I have no say in it.”

  “You have enough say that you can invite whomever you want.”

  I raised my eyebrows and laughed. “Are you saying you want me to invite the guard to the ball?”

  “The men could use an outing.”

  “I think they’re looking for a little more than an outing,” I couldn’t help but be amused by him. He was right. I could invite whomever I wanted to the ball.

  It was just another event.

  “Make sure everyone is dressed well. Keep with the mask theme, and remember that they represent the kingdom with every action they make,” I decided. Of course, to keep with the theme, I’d have to wear a mask of my own.

  This wouldn’t fit what my parents wanted for the night, but it would be a lot more entertaining for me.

  When the sun finally set, the gates opened, and as I pulled on my suit jacket, I could see a few women already being allowed in and guided to the great hall. If this went well, my men could distract and confuse the women, and I’d get to sit back and enjoy the show.

  “Don’t leave them waiting,” my mother rushed toward me as I finally left my chambers. “The woman you’re looking for is in silver. You’ll know it’s her immediately. She’s so beautiful.”

  “It’s a masked ball, how will I know she’s beautiful?” I couldn’t resist pushing back a little.

  “We tried to make it easier on you by ensuring she was pretty,” she reprimanded me. “She’s a good fit.”

  I didn’t answer her, and instead headed for the steps.

  “I’ll let them know you’re on your way so they can announce your arrival,” she called behind me.

  No way in hell was I letting them announce me.

  That would ruin this entire game.

  Stepping aside once I was out of her view, I headed down a servant corridor and listened as the music echoed from above. If they were going to make me do this, I would at least have fun with it. After all, this could be my last party as a single man.

  The thought made my skin crawl.

  I wasn’t ready for marriage.

  What good could I do for my kingdom if I was weighed down by marriage and kids? If the only reason I got a woman pregnant was to have an heir to the throne, it would be a waste.

  My mind was racing in agitation, and by the time I finally made it up to the dance floor, I had almost forgotten to slip the mask from my jacket and put it on.

  It was black and simple. The mask covered my nose and the upper half of my face enough that I should be unrecognizable to anyone who wasn’t paying attention. This was confirmed when I stepped into the room and didn’t get more than a glance from the few people who noticed me.

  Looking over the room, I tried to find the woman in silver they were attempting to match me with. If I could spot her, I’d be able to avoid her for most of the night.

  My men were already in the hall ahead of me.

  Some were dancing, others were acting as security, but all were masked.

  Perfect.

  The door opened, and a few more women were allowed through. I was going to dismiss this until one of the women drew my gaze. Her head was lowered, almost demure, as she stepped into the hall.

  I couldn’t see much of her face behind the shimmering mask on it, but something about her was calling to me.

  Speaking to some urge in me.

  Her hair was tied back, revealing a slender neck leading down into her dress.

  It was silver.

  Was she the woman?

  Her eyes slid over mine, barely visible behind her mask, and I had to talk to her.

  I’d come out here with every single atom of my body saying it was a bad idea, but something about her made me want to change my mind. I just needed to talk to her.

  Brock spotted me, and I had to pull my eyes off of her for just a moment.

  Whatever she did to me, I needed a breather.

  “Sir,” he greeted me. Of course, he recognized me despite my mask. I’d known him my entire life. I’d be concerned if he didn’t.

  “Avoid referring to me by any name or title right now,” I corrected him. More women came in, and as I turned to look for her, I realized the woman in the silver dress was gone. “Have you seen a woman in a silver dress?”

  The tower tolled, low under the music. It was ten in the evening, and there was still a long night ahead of us.

  “Oh, your mother told me about that. She won’t be in until one of the later groups.”

  “She’s already here,” I corrected him.

  Brock nodded, seemingly distracted by a small group of women nearby. He was just a few years older than me but still unmarried. This would be an enjoyable event for him.

  “Enjoy yourself. You’re off duty for tonight,” I reminded him.

  Stepping away, I headed for the refreshments to see if I could get a better view of her from there. The wine was already being drained quickly. Turning back, I felt her eyes on me before I saw her.

  Her eyes were a deep and rich brown, stunning against her shimmering mask and freckled complexion.

  I couldn’t resist approaching her.

  Moving through the crowd, I kept my eyes on her until I was finally in front of her.

  “I didn’t think you were real when I first saw you,” I admitted.

  Her face, or at least what was visible through her mask, tinged a soft pink and it whetted my appetite to see more of her. “I’m not sure why they let so many other women into the gates once they laid eyes on you.”

  “I’m also struggling to keep my eyes off of you,” she admitted. “Or are these just the lines you’re using on every woman here?”

  “I promise these are things I’ve never said before you.” I felt almost giddy, like being around her emboldened me. “Do you believe in fated mates?” This last question came out before I had the sense to stop it.

  I’d never thought about fated mates outside of stories when I was a kid. They didn’t seem real, but the immediate attraction they described was like electricity between us.

  “That’s a cheesy line,” she teased.

  “If you’ll stay a moment longer I can try less cheesy ones.”

  She laughed, covering her mouth delicately, and I wanted to remove that hand from her face and kiss her. My mind was reeling in ways I’d never experienced before.

  “What’s your name?” I asked.

  She blushed and glanced aside before shaking her head. “It’s a masked ball, right? There should be some mystery.”

  “I feel like I know you already. Why keep secrets?” I asked.

  Her lips parted in a soft laugh.

  “Would you like to dance?” I bowed and extended my hand to her. It was formal, but she deserved nothing less than the most I could offer.

 

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