“Who have I become?” Phillipa wondered. “I’ve never harmed another living creature in my life. But this wolven enrages me, Ainslee. I despise what he has done to your kin. Fae fill the world with magic, and he seeks to steal it for his own use. It’s abhorrent what he’s done, and until now, I never considered that such a beast could be reasoned with. Being at the Monsters Ball has changed my perspective on that. But still, he must pay for what he’s done to you.”
“He will, my lady, even if you’re not the one to make him do it.” Ainslee’s color brightened. “Tell me about these magical monsters that you met. None of them caught your eye?”
“They were all very handsome. Some were charming, and others were alarmingly forward.” Which a piece of her enjoyed much more than she was willing to admit to her friend. It was scandalous behavior, and she’d already made one issue of The High Tea. “But I remind you, I’m married.”
“Of course, but you will wake up three days from now and you will have nowhere to go if you don’t promise yourself to one of these beasts. I understand your loyalty to Wesley, but his estate has offered you no shelter and no safety.”
“Surely, you have a little of that magic left.” But the truth was, Phillipa had no idea what she’d do when the Ball ended. She couldn’t entertain Ainslee’s suggestion because none of the monsters she’d met had any desires for a union. She couldn’t go home if she failed this Ball, and if she attacked the wolven, her reputation could never be repaired.
But the Wolven King was here, and she refused to let him continue his reign of terror over the fae. She’d hardly be able to concentrate on her tasks tomorrow, knowing Ainslee could be in danger.
Perhaps it was time to change her plan. She wouldn’t kill the Wolven King. But if she could convince one of the other monsters to do it…
She took off her dress, hung it in the wardrobe, and brushed her hair before bed. Being here, in the middle of the celebration with the dancing and the music and the food made her miss Wesley more than ever. He would love the Monsters Ball. He’d be fascinated by all the creatures in attendance.
“Ainslee,” she said as she snuggled against the pillow. “Do you have any magic to bring Wesley back to me?”
“My lady, I have. And I’ve used it so many times since he’s gone away. I pray that one of these nights, it will work.”
Phillipa woke with a mission. She would not let Ainslee’s magic go to waste, and she would not go home simply to be sent to the Royal Hospital.
The second day of the Ball passed in a whirlwind. There was breakfast with the ladies on the veranda. An afternoon of archery, where many monsters were impressed by the accuracy of her shot. She’d joined into a lively game of badminton as well.
“I can’t possibly rest,” she said when she returned to her room. She’d mostly come back to check on Ainslee. The fae had refused to stay cooped up in the room all day, declaring herself no one’s prisoner, but Phillipa had worried that the Wolven King would want to collect more magic. Phillipa could only hope that the spell Ainslee had cast last night was enough to keep him away. “I’m too excited about tonight. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way. I love spending time in the garden with you, but this is different.”
Ainslee was pastel and gorgeous, fluttering around the room with excitement. “Will you let a monster claim you tonight?”
“I…might.”
“Oh, my lady,” Ainslee landed on her shoulder. “I know that your heart is heavy, but if only you could see yourself today. You are positively radiant. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look this light and free.”
“The Ball is full of possibility,” she said. “And I’ve been in desperate need of some. What will happen after the Ball? When will I see you again?”
“Don’t worry about that now. Let’s enjoy every moment that we have together. Which dress do you plan to wear tonight, or do you think Master Bow has something even more fantastic for you?”
“The red dress,” Phillipa said without hesitation. It had gold embroidery at the neckline and a matching gold belt. “It’s so beautiful I want to make sure that it’s real.”
“You’ll have to thank the elders for that one.” Ainslee chuckled. “Sit, so I can help you with your hair.”
The fae spun her hair into an updo and helped apply a little rouge and kohl to her eyes. The dress glided over her body, feeling every bit as magical as it was.
“Where can I find you tonight? I know you won’t be able to stay cooped up in this room either, but I must know you are safe.” How Phillipa wished her friend could truly participate in the ball.
“I hear there will be an orchestra in the garden.” Ainslee flew to the windowsill. “If you can help me open the window, I’ll be able to fly there and back. Maybe I’ll find some other fae on the grounds.”
“That would be delightful. You can have your own Ball.” Phillipa cracked the window open. The day had been warm, and it would be a glorious night for outdoor dancing. “I’m so glad that I can experience this with you.”
“It is my pleasure, Phillipa.” Ainslee wrapped her hands around Phillipa’s pointer finger. Magic radiated from the fae. “This invitation was anything but a curse.”
The line to see Master Bow and his talented team was impossibly long. Phillipa waved to her new friends, and decided to take the opportunity to explore Broadstone Hall. It would be a shame to leave here without experiencing all the art, some rumored to be quite racy, and the library, which had volumes found nowhere else.
Maybe a book would calm her mind.
She entered the grand room, and took a moment to inhale the scent of leather and the delightful dust that came with any book collection. There was another scent she was unable to place as well. Phillipa loved to read, but she hadn’t read much fiction since Wesley disappeared. She pictured all the heroes to look like him and her mind was much clearer out of doors. So she stuck to books about gardening and nature.
But things were different here. Anything was possible, she reminded herself. She would allow herself to dream again.
She ran her hand along the leather spines of the books, considering the titles.
A hand clasped over her mouth. A furry, leathery—it wasn’t a hand, it was a paw.
The other paw was around her waist, pulling her against a beastly body.
She attempted a scream, but nothing came out. The beast chuckled.
“I hear you’ve been looking for me, Duchess.”
The beast loosened his grip only enough to let her turn and find herself face to face with the Wolven King.
Chapter Eleven
Phillipa
“I could kill you right now.” In theory, that was true. But there was no way the Wolven King wouldn’t feel her body trembling. Her heart pounding. She reached between her breasts, pulling out the silver pendant, her hand trembling as she flicked the cover away to reveal the dagger.
The wolven’s gaze slid to the weapon, and his lips curled into a grin. “You could, but you won’t.”
“You arrogant beast.” She was so infuriated that she was ready to jab it into his fine jacket, through his fur, and into his heart.