Crescent (Book 1)

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I have trouble recognizing the woman looking back at me: The beady eyes, the russet hair that's nearly to her elbows. The lean legs, the muscular arms, the sharp cheekbones. She's gotten leaner from months of training.

Just a glance in the infirmary mirror, and I realize how different my reflection looks staring back at me. My eyes catch on the raised cluster on my chest. The scar will forever be a bad memory. Even when things are back to normal again- when I'm home- I know that the scar will bring Ceth's cruel green eyes reeling back to me.

The thought has me struggling to breathe, to shrug back into my freshly pressed dress and play my part. Most days, I'm too busy to do anything but train, eat, and sleep. The routine was welcome for so long that lately, I've been forgetting the reason I'm here at all.

"You've lost weight," Saren notes as she watches me in the mirror. I try not to scowl as I turn away from the mirrored walls to face her. Jackaby's examination after practice had been brief enough that she decided to stick around. But I'm not in the mood to talk. I step into my heels, and without saying a thing, I start walking. Her voice stops me before I pass the threshold into the grand hall: "Don't make the mistake of thinking I'm the only one who's noticed it."

Meaning Ceth has probably noticed. The mention of his name- or the implication of it- has me turning. "Do you not lose weight with the workouts we've been doing?"

Saren offers the same cocky grin I've seen Ceth wear a million times. "No, because I've been eating." She says it as if she knows I haven't been. I don't feel it in me to defend myself, and I bite down the urge to swat away the piece of hair that falls into my eyes as I leave.

Ceth did notice. Or maybe Saren told him. He eyes me forking the food around my plate at dinner, stacking forkfuls of rice and dumplings into smaller portions in hopes that no one will notice. If looks could kill, I would have already toppled beneath his gaze.

I instead glance at Audelia and find that she is already looking at me expectantly. As is the entirety of the table. "Your jewels. Are they from a private trove?"

The necklace at my neck feels heavy: a gaudy mess of rubies amid a princess arrangement of diamonds that glitter in the lantern light. Ceth left it for me on our bed earlier this morning. Yesterday, he left pearls. The day before a matinee arrangement of other sparkling gems. "Yes," I finger the necklace, searching Ceth's eyes for brief confirmation before I continue. "They're from Ceth's family's collection."

He rests an arm over my shoulders, kissing my neck with a smile that tells me he's pleased. "Her favorite has always been the emerald set I gifted her the night of our engagement." I know of no such set, but his emerald eyes, no doubt the inspiration, glint in amusement as I struggle to catch along.

"How has the gem hunt been this season?" another ambassador addresses Ceth from across the table. Ceth downs a sip of wine before raising his glass to the man.

"The land proves more and more fruitful everyday. I didn't know Hugue was in the market."

"Does one always need a special occasion for beautiful jewels?" the ambassador responds, and Ceth's smile is something vicious.

"Is there something specific he's looking for? I don't think anyone here has had the privilege of a private tour."

I want to hug the man when his eyes narrow slightly as they both feel each other out. "We can always discuss in further detail during negotiations, Lord Shawcross."

The opportunity presents itself, and I leap at it before Ceth can stop me. "How are negotiations going, by the way?"

Ceth grips the back of my neck harshly, but it's Gabriel, who sits opposite me, that speaks next: "It's easier to attend than to explain, isn't it?" His dark hair falls in a sweep across his forehead as he lazily trades looks with the other ambassadors before finally finding Ceth. His face remains aloof, his exterior impenetrable.