Crescent (Book 1)

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Rosie is standing in front of me. Her smile is warm, her blue eyes are like ice. Her brown hair is a pleated rope that hangs over one shoulder, and her arms are open, beckoning me toward her. "Come and play, Brenna."

My sister looks at me, and I desperately want to grab hold of her and clutch her against my chest. She blinks for a few moments. Her knees bend and her arms become little wings at her side, poised as if she's about to take off. I know I'll never be able to catch her as she turns on a heel and runs down the corridor. I chase after her.

Her laugh is a happy, living thing- a sound that fills the halls. Down and down and down the hall we go. Until suddenly, the marbled floors turn into thick muddy trails of footprints. The lights go dark, and deep down, I know where I am. Rosie stops at the door to many rooms- the magic room beneath the castle. She giggles again. An iron ring of skeleton keys appears in my hands, and I reach for her, but a red curtain materializes from the ceiling, falling over her like a cloak. She disappears. I hear her voice, an inky distant sound tempting me forward.

"Come and play with me, Perdita."

I open my eyes, expecting to be in bed but instead, I'm surrounded by people. The fireplace snaps and crackles behind me, and Ceth's hand is like a shackle around my own. He's laughing, and I realize one of the ambassadors is telling some tale of a mighty creature in one of the realms. I missed the story completely, but I feel compelled to smile, pretending I was listening.

Breakfast is a pile of cold mush on my plate, and my hand trembles as I bring a bite of it to my mouth. I hide the movement by fisting my hands beneath the table. The dream felt so real. "Brenna." Ceth's voice is too close, and I jump at his grip on my arm.

My eyes focus on him, his green eyes mere inches from my own. "Yes?"

"I said... that Friday might be the perfect night to entertain our guests with a private dance. A relaxing dinner, drinks. A way to wind down after all of the recent busyness."

I know better than to argue and tell him I'm not ready. I'm a piss-poor dance partner at best, but I smile, tucking my hands into the neat pleats of my dress. "As long as you don't mind getting your toes stepped on a few times, I would love that," I hide my uneasiness behind a chuckle.

Ceth cuts into the sausage on his plate, each movement precise, clean. Even with a dull blade, he makes quick work of the meat. He brushes his golden hair back before taking a bite. "I have business actually. Our guests will have the day off, and I thought it might be the perfect time to practice before the other lords and ladies arrive."

So, I'll be left to fend for myself. Perfect. Renly speaks up from across the table. "I would be honored to be your first dance, m'lady."

I fight back a frown as Ceth leans toward me, grinning. His hand snakes beneath the table, gripping my thigh. I want nothing more than to put the pretty blades sheathed in his baldric to good use. I address Renly with a smile. "I'll hold you to that then. Friday night, I'll have the servants serve dinner early in the foyer."

It isn't long before the cathedral doors and I see Ajax standing just outside them, a black cloak flowing from his shoulders like liquid night. Ceth dismisses himself easily with nothing but a brush of his lips across my head, but I'm surprised when a familiar voice pipes up from the end of the table.

"Will Lord Shawcross' son be in attendance Friday night?" Thayer asks. If anyone else was asking, I would think it's a challenge, but I find nothing but curiosity in his eye.

I silently gauge the envoy's reaction, hiding a veiled glance around my glass as I drink deeply. "Dominic? I'm not sure. He has his studies, as well as his normal responsibilities. So, it depends." I'm glad for the easy smile that graces Thayer's face, but I don't miss the look his companion gives me..