Or perhaps because she was simply the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen.
Her hair was swept back from her face and fell in loose waves down her back, the color reminding me of raspberries in the light of the Great Hall. The red domino mask was leagues above the veil, and even from where I stood, I thought her lips appeared darker, lusher. And that gown…
The sleeves were a gossamer crimson, as was much of the rest. Only the fabric from the bodice to the thighs was opaque. The remainder was translucent, and all of it hugged the tempting curves of her body.
Poppy turned, angling away from where I stood. Her hair ended just above the sweet, lush swell of her ass.
That gown.
It was the likely source of my lost breath because it was obscenely decadent and made for sin.
And my imagination ran wild, filling my mind with all the fun and various ways one could sin as I started toward her. The nape of my neck tingled as I wove in and out of the crowd, my heart thumping.
The slope of Poppy’s shoulders tensed, and then she turned. Her rosy-hued lips parted, and fuck…so much want seized me. Too much. The breeches and tunic were far too thin for what I currently felt.
“Hi,” Poppy said and then clamped her mouth shut.
I grinned as her cheeks pinked. “You look…” There really wasn’t a single word that would do her justice, so I settled for the best I could think of in the moment. “Lovely.” I turned to Tawny, and honest to gods, she could’ve been nude or wearing a sack for all I knew. “As do you.”
“Thank you,” Tawny replied.
I glanced at Vikter. “You, as well.”
He snorted, and Tawny laughed, but I felt rewarded when I saw Poppy’s smile.
She turned to Vikter. “You do look exceptionally handsome tonight.”
The older man flushed as he gave a faint shake of his head.
I moved to stand behind Poppy, as close as I could. “Sorry for the delay.”
“Is everything okay?” she asked, sounding nervous.
“Of course,” I assured her. “I was pulled to assist with security sweeps.” Which wasn’t entirely untrue. I did speak with Jansen to discuss the fires the Descenters planned to set. No one would be harmed tonight—well, no mortals, anyway—but many of the Ascended would find it difficult to return to their homes. “I didn’t think it would take as long as it did.”
Poppy appeared as if she wished to say something more but only nodded as she turned her attention to the dais. Music began playing as servants entered from the many side doors, carrying trays of fragile glasses and delicate foods.
“I need to speak to the Commander,” Vikter said, looking at me.
“I have her,” I told him.
Instead of reminding me exactly how important she was like he normally did, he only nodded before curtly pivoting. Relief swept through me. I wouldn’t have to work around Vikter and what that would inevitably lead to.
I moved to take Vikter’s place, standing at Poppy’s right. “Have I missed anything?”
“You haven’t,” Tawny answered. “Unless you were looking forward to a bunch of prayers and teary-eyed goodbyes.”
“Not particularly,” I commented dryly.
Poppy looked at Tawny. “Did they call out the Tulis family?”
Her brow creased. “You know, I don’t think they did.”
I bit back a smile. If they had, the Tulises would not have been able to answer. They were well on their way to New Haven.
Movement caught my attention. The Duchess made her way toward us, followed by several Royal Guards.
“Penellaphe,” the Duchess said, smiling.
“Your Grace,” Poppy replied so politely it was almost hard to believe I’d ever heard her curse.
The Duchess nodded at Tawny and me, her gaze sweeping over my form in the exact way I’d looked at Poppy. Would she miss her husband? I didn’t think so.
I smiled.
“Are you enjoying the Rite?” she asked Poppy. Apparently, it didn’t matter if Tawny or I were having a good time.
Poppy nodded. “Is His Grace not attending?”
My smile kicked up a notch.
“I believe he is running late.” The corners of the Duchess’s mouth tensed, giving away her worry.
She shouldn’t be.
The Duke was already here.
She moved in closer to Poppy, her voice low, but I heard her clearly. “Remember who you are, Penellaphe.”
My smile slipped from my face.
“You are not to mingle or socialize,” the Duchess continued.
“I know,” Poppy assured her as my hand tightened into a fist at my side.
I watched the Duchess move into the crowd of adoring Ascended and Lords and Ladies in Wait, that muscle ticking in my jaw again. “I have a question.”
Poppy tilted her head. “Yes?”
“If you’re not supposed to mingle or socialize, which are the same thing, by the way,” I said, feeling my anger fading a bit with the slight curve of her lips, “what is the point of you being allowed to attend?”
That small grin disappeared.
“That is actually a good question,” Tawny stated.
Poppy’s lips pursed. “I’m not sure what the point is, to be honest.”
Neither was I.
I looked out over the crowd, but after a few moments, my gaze was drawn back to Poppy—to her loose hair and that damn gown. Gods, why did she have to be so beautiful? So fierce?
Her hands were twisting together, and I looked at her face. She watched Tawny. A moment passed, and then she called her friend’s name.
Tawny twisted toward her. “Yes?”
“You don’t have to stand here beside me,” she said. “You can go and have fun.”
“What?” Tawny’s nose wrinkled. “I’m having fun. Aren’t you?”
“Of course,” Poppy said, but I doubted that. “But you don’t have to be right beside me. You should be out there.” She gestured at those on the main floor. “It’s okay.”
Tawny protested, but Poppy wouldn’t allow it, eventually convincing her that it was all right for her to leave. To socialize. Then Poppy smiled. Not a huge one, but I caught just a glimpse of white teeth. Her friend having fun made her happy—made her smile.
Fuck me.
I wanted her to have fun.
To be happy.
I wanted that smile.
And in a little bit, it would be a long time before she smiled again. Poppy was alone with no effort on my part. The relief I should feel was nowhere to be found.
I stepped in closer to her. “That was kind of you.”
“Not particularly. Why should she stand here and do nothing just because that’s all I can do?”
“Is that really all you can do?”
“You were standing right here when Her Grace reminded me that I am not to mingle or—”
“Or fraternize.”
“She said socialize,” Poppy said.
“But you don’t have to stay here.”
“I don’t.” She turned back to the floor. “I would like to go back to my room.”
I clenched my teeth. “You sure?”
“Of course.”
I stepped aside. “After you, Princess.”