Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Kerrigan’s stomach dropped. “I don’t really feel like they’re hiding right now.”
“It can get so much worse,” Valia said. “I hate dropping that on you on your name day, but the whispers are getting louder. I’m going to go silent again. I don’t want anyone to see me with you, which is why I won’t attend your party. I’m going to find who has the Collector, and when I find it, we will move.”
“Do what you have to do, but don’t get caught.”
Valia shot her a smirk that showed every ounce of confidence she kept hidden away. “I never have before.”
Then, she was gone, as if she had never been there.
* * *
A moment later, Benton and Bayton bustled in excitedly.
“The carriage should be here any minute,” Bayton said.
“Time to get dressed,” Benton said.
One tidied her hair and the other excitedly reached for her gown.
Kerrigan shook off the conversation with Valia. Something was coming. Well, she had suspected that for years. She just wished she knew what they were waiting for. But she let the anxiety pass and focused on what was before her.
Parris’s greatest creation—a Bryonican navy gown that was as elaborate and over the top as possible. She’d wanted to make a statement. A dress fit for a queen. And the dark silk sat perfectly atop the layers of tulle beneath. The bodice was off the shoulder with a deep V, stitched with actual sapphires until she glimmered in the firelight. Benton and Bayton spent hours straightening out her long red curls and then braiding it up into an elaborate updo with a thousand hidden pins. Her makeup was stunning and almost as extravagant. She added her House of Cruse brooch and diamonds at her ears.
“My lady,” Bayton gasped.
Benton bowed low at the waist. “You are a vision.”
“Thank you,” Kerrigan said with a smile for her friends.
“We got you a name day gift, miss,” Bayton said.
“Oh,” she said, startled. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“It’s not much,” Benton said. “But we wanted to send you out on your name day with our traditions.”
Benton handed her a small gift. She unwrapped it with care and found a star pin, a gold mark, and a knotted black ribbon.
“A pin of stars for a bright future,” Bayton observed, taking the pin and adding it to the updo.
“A mark for good fortunes,” Benton said. She slipped it into Kerrigan’s pocket.
“And a lover’s knot for true love.”
Tears pricked Kerrigan’s eyes at the thoughtful gifts. The promise of a good future when for so long, she could hardly envision it for herself. The twins took either end of the ribbon and slipped it twice around her wrist.
“Thank you. I cherish both of you so much.” She hugged one and then the other. “And I actually have something for you.”
“For us?” Benton asked in surprise.
“But it’s your name day.”
“I know, but I couldn’t help myself.”
She headed toward her wardrobe and threw the doors open. She removed two more purple bags from Parris’ shop. She handed one to each of them.
“I want you to come with me to my party. As guests,” she added quickly. “I want you to be there as my friends because you are my dear friends.”
They gaped at her as they took the bags. They opened them to reveal layers of navy, black, and silver in exactly their measurements. Kerrigan had borrowed their dresses to make sure Parris could get them exactly right.
“We … couldn’t possibly,” Bayton whispered.
“This is too generous.”
“You must attend. I insist.”
The twins looked at each other and then burst into tears.
“We would love to,” Benton said, dragging Kerrigan into a hug. Bayton followed.
Kerrigan wiped at her own tears. “There’s more.”
“More?” Benton asked. “Now, Kerrigan … a dress and a party are quite enough.”
Kerrigan removed the paperwork out of her study desk and passed it to the twins. One for each of them. It was the first thing that she’d done after she came back from the ceremony at the Draíocht. Now that she was officially the head of the House of Cruse, she could invite anyone she liked into her house and into Bryonica.
She watched the twins’ faces as they realized what they were holding. Shock and then more tears that ran harder.
“Kerrigan?” Benton asked, her voice warbling. “This cannot be right.”
“It is,” she assured her. “I am offering you an official place in my household as a member of the House of Cruse and tribe Bryonica.”
Bayton burst into tears. “Oh my gods.”
“This is … this is too much.”
“I wasn’t sure if you would want to accept,” Kerrigan said quickly. “I’ll understand if you still have allegiance to the House of Shadows.”
“No,” Benton said at once. “We have no affiliation with them.”
“We want this so much, miss,” Bayton said. She wiped messily at her eyes and pulled out a handkerchief to blow her nose. “You have no idea what this means to us.”