Crescent (Book 1)

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Until the gala, the ambassadors have two days a week to themselves. Blesses day on Mondays and one other random day a week. It's during breakfast Thursday morning that a scout appears, the cathedral doors bursting open.

Instantly, I know Ceth is being called away. Chatter continues as the scout whispers in Ceth's ear. I hear something about 'an attack' and know as soon as Ceth stands that today's meeting is canceled. Meaning, the ambassadors are free to do as they please and I'm off to dance practice after all.

I stand to say goodbye, and he quickly gathers me in his arms, his voice hot against my neck. "I expect you'll be on your best behavior."

I'm aware we have an audience, but it does little to satiate my need to shove him off of me. I settle for pecking his lips, looking up at him with doe eyes. "I'll see you at dinner?"

Ceth glowers, his eyes dark as he considers me before leaning down to kiss me again. This kiss is unlike others which were dominating and rough. I'm frozen, numb, but his fingers dig into my waist and his tongue sweeps the seam of my mouth. I oblige him, hating every moment I have to pretend as he groans into my mouth. He releases me and then he's gone.

I want to wipe away the taste of him, to shake the feeling of disgust off, but I can't. The ambassadors watch as Ceth leaves. I exhale as I straighten my dress, sitting carefully to not wrinkle it. Someone mutters something about going into town for the day, and a few others respond but the specifics are lost on me. I repeat Ceth's words over and over again. Best behavior. Does he know about last night?

"Lady Brenna?" Audelia calls, and I glance up. Her eyes narrow, but she plasters a smile on her face as she says again. "We thought we might visit Cold's Summit today, if you'd be able to join us."

Ceth will never allow it, and I have my lessons to get to. I shake my head, pushing back my chair as I stand again. Everyone stands along with me, bowing, but I wave them off, smiling with as much grace as I can muster. "I'm afraid I have a few things planned, but you'll have to tell me all about the city at dinner this evening."

I make it a point to stop by my room and grab a pair of heels before I find the library where my dancing instructor waits. A thin slab of a man introduces himself as Bruno, bowing low enough that his dark curls, swirled with gray, sweep the ground. He begins instruction without hesitation. Hours go by, and I'm glad for the movement and distraction that comes with finding a rhythm. I drift into the steps, one hand on Bruno's chest and the other at his shoulder. His steps are swift, precise.

He smiles as he whisks me into a spin and then pulls me into a dip just like we've practiced. "Very good," he praises, pleased as we both end with a bow. There's a laugh in his voice. "Practice will make perfect... and at least my toes are intact."

"I'm still learning-" I start to laugh, but there's a presence at the door that tells me someone is watching.

Saren's blue eyes are like ice as she juts her chin behind her. "I have somewhere to be today. Let's make this quick."

I don't have to be told twice. I nod my goodbye to Bruno, and Saren leads the way downstairs, a fresh set of clothes for me in-hand. Finding my way down to the muddied path is easy now. In the dim blue light from beneath the door, her breath is a frosted cloud in front of us. The skeleton keys rattle as she tugs the ring from the pocket of her pants. The key slides home. There's a breath, a hiss, and the door creaks open into the wilderness.

"How does this room work anyway? One minute, it leads outside. The next- it's a prison cell for a witch. Is there more than just these two rooms?"

In the dark, I practically feel her eyes narrow. "Awfully curious today, aren't you?"