Death Watchers

Honesty

Katherine knocked on the door a few hours later, calling that she needed me so we could ready for tonight's ball. Cole gave me a quick kiss before letting me go with his mother, promising he would be there to see my grand entrance. I giggled and assured him it wasn't a big deal, but he insisted.

Katherine and I walked in silence to her suites. Once we were inside, she went to the closet and pulled out a slim, silky dark purple dress. "This is for you, dear. I figured you'd want something more elegant after last time's exit. It's easier to run with these dresses."

I grinned. "Thanks, but I'm hoping I won't need to run this time."

"Oh? So Cole and you have sorted out your differences now? Is that where you went after breakfast?"

My cheeks heated. "Yes."

She laughed lightly. "I was wondering why the pool room was empty when I stopped by after excusing myself from the table. Mirrikh and Aidoneus have been old friends and I felt it was time they reconnect, since Mirrikh now has time to talk because he doesn't have to search for another in your bloodline. It helps when you're in the Underworld."

"Oh, I'm not staying."

"I know, dear. I just mean temporarily. It's nice seeing Aidoneus reconnect with his best friend. They have been apart for so long, each with their own searches."

"Katherine, can I ask you something personal?" I asked slowly.

She turned back to me, her face shocked. "I suppose."

I fingered the dress's fabric. "Why did you fall in love with Aidoneus?"

"Because he was charming. And he knew when to strike." Her expression turned inward as she took out a sapphire ball gown and made her way to the divider. "It was after my mother died. I was distraught, and I needed comfort. My dad wouldn't acknowledge me, instead choosing to work every minute he could, barely taking a single day off.

"Donnie found me after that," she continued. "He cared for me, comforted me, told me it was all going to be okay and I would see her again." I heard a sniffle and her voice sounded tearful. "He was the only one who understood. He helped me through the loss and then he helped me understand being a Death Watcher."

She stepped out of the divider, the gown shimmering around her like a waterfall. Her eyes were red from her crying. "And so we fell in love. Donnie and I had Cole, and then he had to go to the Underworld. He was summoned by this power and he just vanished, leaving me alone with Cole. I can't really explain it because he doesn't even know how it works.

"Anyway, and then I found Jim a year later and we started dating. When he asked me to marry him, I didn't want to. I didn't love him as I did Aidoneus." She looked at me, her brown eyes searching for understanding. "He didn't get me and I had to keep the fact of being a Death Watcher a secret. I had to, though. For Cole."

"I understand."

She smiled slightly. "Oh! I've held you up on changing!" She rushed over to me and gave me a little push toward the divider. "Change, dear! Or we'll be late!"

I laughed. "Okay, okay, I'm moving!" I yanked my shirt off, tossing it over the divider to show her. I changed quickly, the silk flowing flawlessly over my features. I oohed at the way the dark purple shimmered, almost as much as Katherine's sapphire. I twirled, but the skirt was too sleek to really twirl like the other dress. That was when I noticed the slit in the skirt, going all the way up to the middle of my thigh. How had I missed that?

When I stepped out, Katherine squealed and clapped her hands together, a huge grin on her face. "Oh, I knew it would be perfect!"

My grin was as big as hers. "I know! Cole won't be able to take his eyes off me, will he?"

"No, he won't!" She laughed again. "He'll probably be drooling like a dog the whole time and completely ignore those Shadow Women."

"Well, let's go then! We don't want our men waiting on us. I'm sure Aidoneus will be drooling over you as well."

"Honestly, dear, you misjudge Donnie. He is the perfect King, never letting his emotions show." She smiled conspiratorially. "But, I do think you might be correct tonight. Last time I wore this, at our anniversary ball, his eyes were glued to me. I swear. Even the servants, who are brain-dead, noticed."

Laughing, I hooked her elbow with mine and started out the door.

"Wait, dear!" she exclaimed, stepping away. "You're forgetting your mask!"

"Mask?"

Katherine handed me a deep purple mask covered with black feathers and shimmering with a line of diamonds on the brow. She put on a blue one, adorned with a single white feather. "Trust me, Jocelynn. Put the mask on."

"Fine. But can you tell me why they're required?" I slipped it on and peeked at her through the thin eye slats.

"It's a masquerade ball. It marks the near end of the festivities."

"How is Cole going to recognize me now? My face is covered."

She laughed as she led me down the stairs, having drawn me out of the room immediately after I put my mask on. "Jocelynn, a true man does not need to see your face to know it is you."

"So how does Aidoneus know you are you?"

"Dear, Donnie and I have been together for close to twenty-five years, minus the couple years between when he was summoned and when he took me down here. He knows what I look like by now." We stopped at the ball room door and Katherine heaved a sigh. She turned to smile at me. "Ready, Jocelynn?"

I smiled in return. "Ready as I'll ever be."

She threw open the doors with a flourish, the calm music blasting to us in a perfect melody. Taking my arm, she walked me in, smiling at me with a twinkle in her eye.