“You have my word,” Rhess said. “For both of them.”
Kiva offered the slightest of grateful smiles — that being all she could manage — and then watched the young woman walk away with Tipp in her arms.
“He’ll get over it,” Zuleeka said. “The boy clearly loves you.”
Kiva had trouble responding around the lump in her throat. “I just hope that’s enough.”
Zuleeka placed a comforting hand on Kiva’s shoulder. After a moment, she said, “I feel dreadful asking this now — I know the timing is terrible, and we both need to leave, but I have to know.”
“What?” Kiva asked.
Zuleeka looked torn, but finally asked, “You said you spoke with Delora — I take it you went back to her as planned?”
“She didn’t help me.” Kiva looked at the bloodstained floor where Torell had been lying, turning cold as she realized, “But Tor would be dead if she’d given me more potion, so it worked out for the best.” She shuddered, then finished, “I’ll just have to learn how to control my magic without her help.”
And she would. Kiva was determined to learn every facet of her healing power, to be the very opposite of what her mother had become. Helping people, not hurting them.
“I was hoping she’d be more generous toward you,” Zuleeka said.
“Yeah, well, she really doesn’t like our family.” With a pointed look, Kiva added, “You, especially.”
Zuleeka shuffled on her feet. “I might have visited her more than I let on.”
“She wouldn’t give me the dagger,” Kiva said, figuring that was what Zuleeka really wanted to know. “I tried, but she was adamant.”
Zuleeka’s shoulders slumped. “I knew it was a long shot. I’d just hoped . . .” Shaking her head, she said, “Never mind. It doesn’t matter now.” She jerked her chin in the direction of the exit. “We really do need to leave.”
And then she started leading the way out of the warehouse, around more boxes and crates and barrels than Kiva could count — the building was much larger than she’d thought — before they finally stepped outside to find the sun setting in the distance.
“I need to grab something before the party, but I’ll meet you at the palace,” Zuleeka said.
“You really don’t have to come,” Kiva said, hoping her sister would stay away.
“Tor’s already not going to be there. It might seem odd — even rude — if both of us ignore the princess’s invitation.”
Frustratingly, Zuleeka wasn’t wrong, so Kiva blew out a breath and said, “I’ll see you soon, then.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
By the time Kiva finally made her way back to the palace, her feet felt like lead, her head was pounding, and she desperately needed a nap. But with the clock ticking down to the masquerade, she made herself wash quickly, scrubbing off Torell’s blood — amazed no one had noticed it — and donning her gown.
Mirryn had delivered her a mask, as promised, and while the shimmering delicacy of it was beautiful, it was nothing compared to the masterpiece that was Kiva’s dress.
Fashioned entirely out of a pale gold silk, the bodice cut low across Kiva’s chest and fit tight to her waist, before flowing out like liquid to the floor. What truly made it spectacular was the luminium beaded into it, like little specks of sunlight, leaving the dress — and Kiva wearing it — looking nothing short of radiant.
Coupled with her intricate mask and glittering slippers, when Kiva peered in the mirror before leaving her room, she had to do a double take, barely recognizing herself.
“What am I doing?” she whispered, frozen to the spot. But then a knock on her bedroom door had her jumping and hurrying across her room to answer it.
On the other side was Jaren, dressed in formal black from head to toe, with whirls and eddies of gold embroidery dancing along the collar of his shirt and the seams of his jacket, begging for Kiva to reach out and run her fingers over them. Over him.
From his boots to his black-and-gold mask, he was utterly magnificent, and try as she might, Kiva couldn’t take her eyes off him.
Not that she tried very hard, especially when she saw the look in his eyes as he stared shamelessly right back at her.
Heat pooled in her stomach at the desire on his face, at the sheer hunger that only deepened as his gaze raked slowly over her, like the softest, sweetest of caresses. Her skin felt like it was melting right off her bones, every part of her suddenly throbbing with want, with need —