Crescent (Old Version)

+ Part 61 +

I fell into bed sometime after two. The rattle of the party died sometime around four. Parties retired to the rented inns nearby sometime around five.

Ceth never came to bed. Though tiredness and a dull aching sensation tugged at my limbs, I couldn't fall asleep. When Ceth had bitten me, something... something had changed. I felt... aware of them. Of Ceth, of Lord Cherith and Lady Sely. Wherever they were exactly, my body told me whether they were near or far.

I'd felt when the couple retired to their suites. I felt when their hearts slowed and sleep took them under. I felt when they woke and prepared for the festivities the next day. I felt them. As if the hair on the back of my neck stood on end ever since the blood fell from my wrist.

The wound had healed, I realized still in a haze. I brushed a finger over the scars, two sharp holes with smaller puncture marks surrounding it. Werewolf bites didn't heal without scarring- just like wounds from silver didn't.

But, this reminder now... It made me realize one thing: getting my family back wouldn't change everything. Who would I be when I got them back? What would I be?

I heard Moira's small footfalls behind and turned in bed to find her in a similar dress to the one she wore last night. This time, it gathered at the hip and fell loosely to the floor at her feet. She saw me brushing the scar absentmindedly, and she looked at me in question.

"Do you feel them?"

She knew the answer, but curiosity gleamed in her eye as she stepped forward to look at it. "All the time," I answered.

She seemed startled by my reaction. "Does it hurt?"

I closed my eyes to keep the pain from tumbling back at full force. "It did. Now..." My voice felt hoarse. "I just feel... numb..."

She understood that. More than anybody. Her eyes further flashed in understanding as she realized. Last night had tied me to them. To this place. Tonight and every night after, the tether would only get stronger.

I would never truly leave this place.

"We have to get you dressed."

Right.

Tonight was the night of young moon. The celebrations began at eight everyday, and if yesterday was any indication, they would rave all night.

I found the dress that Moira, Audelia, and I had chosen for tonight waiting in the bedroom by my armoire. A midnight blue ballgown with a sweetheart neckline that flashed white in starlight. Beautiful gossamer flowed into liquid night at my feet as I stepped into it.

That same liquid night dripped down the same steps I descended the night before.

The adrenaline was gone, leaving me only with gut-wrenching anxiety as I found myself searching the crowd for Ceth. And Gabriel. And Thayer. All nowhere to be seen. I could only imagine the duel that last night had started.

A throat cleared behind me, and I turned to find Lord Hugue, only taller than me because he stood two steps above. His eyes didn't meet mine, rather they eyed the way the neckline of my dress hugged my chest. I was nearly spilling out of it.

"Lord Hugue," I bowed and his eyes quickly fluttered to the harness that crossed from one of my shoulders down to my waist. An intricate way to display the wavy fist-sized blade I wore tonight.

"It's amazing how they craft the handles of those blades each year. All so dainty and delicate. Illogical," he cleared his throat, looking over the ballroom as he straightened his back.

He was practical, I realized. I hope my eyes glittered as I too turned to overlook everybody.

"On the contrary," I whispered, smiling as he backed away the closer I leaned. "I think that pretty little things are often the most deadly." His withered eyes widened suddenly and his moustache rose as his lips parted to retort back, but I offered my arm to him. "Shall we?"