Andreas had manifested a carriage for them, one with the Terra family's crest on its side. As it rolled up to the entrance, Sin tossed a glance at Thorn, who was glowering in a corner with his arms crossed. Time to stop sulking, brother.
He glared at her. In fairness to him, Andreas had made a particularly insulting joke with the whole 'we don't need horses, we've already got one' thing. But she didn't see why Thorn was still upset. I'm upset because you laughed too!
It was funny.
Not that funny.
Caelei laughed too. Obviously it was funny.
He just glared at her again, and she pointed a finger at the doors. Her hands, so delicate and feminine before, were large and strong and masculine. She rather liked it.
Time to act your part, guard.
He sighed before his expression smoothed out, and he pushed open the carriage doors, stepping out into the late afternoon sunlight. Sin emerged next, as Thorn held the door open, and turned to offer a hand for Lana, then Caelei.
Once all four of them were standing outside the carriage, Sin smirked at Thorn in her head as they watched a footman take the carriage away. And I was going to make you do it.
Stow it, sister.
Ah, ah, be nice. Despite his broodiness, she had never been happier to have him in her head. She'd missed him so much the last few days.
She strode up the steps, and a butler greeted them at the door, his face expressionless. He asked for their names, and Sin said, "I am Lord Devlin Cendermane, presenting the Lady Lana Eleanor," and gestured at Lana, who stood behind her.
A faint bit of surprise flashed through the man's eyes, but he said nothing about it as Sin continued, gesturing to Caelei and then Thorn, "My sister, the Lady Caelei Cendermane, and our companion, Nalfeng roe Vinen."
From the corner of her eye, she noticed Caelei blink at the term. So she'd been right. Roe was her brother. Things were going to get very complicated very soon.
Really? Thorn growled into her head. Why are you calling me by his name? I hate that guy!
She grinned into his head, easily keeping her actual plan--to figure out whether or not she'd been right about the identity of Caelei's brother--away from him. He didn't need to know that information just yet. Exactly. And he's not here, so no need to be so angry. She winked at him.
The butler nodded, and someone behind him noted their names in a book before they were ushered inside.
They were led down a long, open hall to a set of huge, gold edged double doors. They opened onto a balcony, with a set of steps leading down into a large, opulent ballroom filled with people dressed in excessive, colorful finery.
"Announcing, Lord Devlin Cendermane, Lady Caelei Cendermane, and Nalfeng roe Vinen." The herald gestured for them to start down the stairs, which they did, though Lana didn't seem happy about being left behind.
When the man spoke again, his voice boomed across the room, tinged in grandeur. "Announcing the guest of honor, the betrothed of Sir John Phillipe Argeno II, Lady Lana Eleanor."
Sin almost scoffed at the pomposity, waiting at the bottom of the stairs for Lana to descend. As she did, Sin's eyes scanned the room, and she noticed a man making his way toward them. Ashy blonde hair, cold blue eyes, tanned skin. He was tall and by many accounts, would be considered handsome--but Sin recognized him from Andreas' memories, and there was no room for anything but hatred and disgust inside her as she watched John Argeno's cold gaze lock onto Lana.
YOU ARE READING
Shadowburn (2)
Romansa~It's hard to tell in the dark, if you've lost your soul or lost your heart.~ "She didn't appear to believe him--but she hadn't pulled away, her legs still around his waist, her arms still around his neck. Thorn kissed her again, long and deep, befo...
