Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
The receiving line had formed at eight, when the doors to the Palace were open.
And I’d been warned that the Masque could go until two or three in the morning.
But we were homing in on midnight, when we could remove our masks, after which there would be a magnificent, old-fashioned fireworks display that was so big, all of Nocturn would see it.
And I’d also been told by the highest authority (Queen Calisa) that I would be expected to remain at the Masque for an hour after, but then I could feel free to retire whenever I wished, which I would do after that hour was over.
I knew Aleksei would be all the way down with leaving with me, and I knew it because we’d already made this plan.
So when six uniformed footmen stood across each other at the entrance to each ballroom and blasted a tune on horns to get everyone’s attention, then called out in unison that guests who wished to unmask outside before watching the fireworks should make their way there, I knew we were closing in on the end, and I could not wait.
The night would be chill, but there were heat coils under platforms that had been laid outside so people could stand without sinking into the grass (or destroying it) and be warm.
But the royal family weren’t headed that way.
We went to another balcony. This one ran along the front of the Palace, and I’d only been on it during my tour.
Aleksei led me there.
When we stepped out, I found it too, fortunately, had heat coils snaking around the perimeter, which was good, since Queen Calisa told me the fireworks show would last for twenty minutes.
As they were royals as well, Dagsbrun, Delanta, Bainon and Anna also joined us there. As did Tanyn and Cormac, King Naill, Queen Laoise and Princess Rowan.
Arnaud did not, and I didn’t know if he’d even made it to the ball.
If he hadn’t, I found it odd, since he RSVPed in the affirmative, and Aleksei knew he was in town.
And odd with that male was concerning.
Queen Tatra had RSVPed no, which didn’t seem odd, since Queen Calisa hated her, and Aleksei told me she hadn’t been to the Masque since Riland brought her to her first. There was history there, I could tell, but Aleksei didn’t get into that.
We watched as the guests filtered out to the platforms erected through the gardens at the front of the Palace, until King Fillion moved to the balustrade, placed a small mic-unit to his throat, and commanded, “It is time to show our faces to the Night God! Unmask!”
Gratefully, I lifted my hands to the bow of the purple satin ribbon at the back of my head above my elaborate chignon that sat at the nape, but Aleksei murmured, “Allow me.”
With a smile, I allowed him.
My mask loosened, my face rejoiced, he took it and handed it to me before he took his off.
“Don’t you dare throw that,” I warned as, per tradition, the rest of the congregation in the gardens—as was their wont as the richest of the rich, and the elitest of the elite—threw their ridiculously expensive, painstakingly crafted masks into the air with abandoned glee.
Aleksei’s head tipped to the side and a sexy smirk hit his face as he deduced why I wanted him to keep his mask safe.
And then the boom of the first fireworks exploded above our heads, lighting my mate’s glorious face in a burst of color.
He snaked a hand around my waist, pulled me to his side, and we looked up.
Drones were amazing. Truly.
But nothing beat a big ole vintage fireworks display.
We ooed and aahed at not only the spectacular show in the air, but the one that was for guests only that happened closer to the ground.
It was unreal.
I loved it.
I loved standing at Aleksei’s side watching it.
I forgot about my shoes, my dress, and just how taxing the evening was. About Cormac and Gayle, Tanyn, Cat and Bash. Errol. Arnaud.
I was rooted in that brilliant moment, marveling about how a life of living had turned into an extravaganza of fireworks and ballgowns and balconies crammed with royalty, standing close to the male I adored.
No, I wasn’t a huge fan of crowds, attention or small talk.
But this evening taught me something.
At Aleksei’s side, I could face anything, and eventually, it would be worth it, because he’d given me something beautiful.
These were my happy thoughts when I felt Aleksei tense beside me.
I turned to him, seeing the fireworks lighting his face, his frame, and all around us.
And I noticed how alert he was.
Really alert.
Hyper alert.
And his eyes were cast down to the garden.
He released me and moved closer to the balustrade when I heard the first scream pierce the sound of the detonations in the sky.
On the heels of that scream, like a wave, the confusion washed over us, then the tsunami of fear as I watched Aleksei tear off his tuxedo jacket while flipping off his shoes.