I rolled my eyes. “I survived Faerie. I can certainly make it through a ball—no matter what kinds of creatures are in attendance.”
“Very good, my dear,” Father said, bobbing his head. “You will be the belle of the ball, and by the end you will have found yourself a new mate.”
I lowered my arms and glared at my father.
“I don’t want a new mate,” I said between clenched teeth.
“At least this time you get to do the choosing,” Shalendra piped in, daring to step closer to me and my cursed silver ticket. “Maybe you’ll meet a wealthy gargoyle prince, or a shifter, or even another Fae.”
My body froze at that. What if Liri had been invited? Or worse, what if he’d arranged for my invitation? He had talked about meeting again. Somehow, I doubted he’d take “no” for an answer twice.
I shook my head.
“I’m not going.”
Father’s whole body jerked and his eyes narrowed to slivers nearly as thin as the parchment pinched between my fingers.
“You do not turn down an invitation to The Monster Ball.”
“Shalendra can go in my stead.”
Father sighed with aggravation. “Yet again you disappoint me, Aerith. Have you no sense of honor?”
My heart tightened, beating against my ribs like a fist—striking out again and again.
“Have you no shame, Father?” I fired back.
Father could plan and plot all he wanted. I’d already sacrificed myself once. I wouldn’t do it again.
Father tsked and shook his head. “Faerie changed you, my dear, and not for the better.”
“Whose fault is that?” I asked.
Shalendra gasped. “What’s gotten into you, Aerith? How can you speak to Father that way when he’s already been through so much—losing his mate, then scraping by to keep a roof over our heads? Now we could lose our home again because your mate up and died and you’re refusing to consider a new one. It’s not like you’re in mourning or anything. I doubt you shed one tear for poor Cirrus.”
Oh, so now she could say his name.
Shalendra moved to Father’s side and looped her arm around his, giving him a gentle squeeze.
My stomach heaved. It was a good thing I hadn’t eaten any of the stuffed mushrooms or mini pear tartlets being offered from trays in the parlor.
“There, there, darling,” Father said, patting Shalendra’s arm. “If Aerith won’t go, I’m sure Melarue would jump at the chance to attend such an illustrious gathering. She has complained about feeling bored in Sweetbell.”
Shalendra rolled her eyes. “She’s too wild for her own good. She’d probably end up marrying a goblin just for the novelty of it.”
Molten heat seared through my veins, causing spots to form over my vision. I crushed the ticket in my hand.
“You cannot send Melarue to the ball. She’s only just turned seventeen.”
Father huffed. “She’s old enough now and unlike you, Mel has a sense of adventure.”
I put my hands on my hips. “So, you would throw her to the wolves?”
Father lifted his nose. “I have no doubt Mel could hold her own.”
“Well, you can forget about sending her. It’s my ticket to do with as I please.” I moved toward a lantern as quickly as my fitted gown allowed and fed the silver parchment to the flame.
“No!” Shalendra screeched, eyes expanding in her face. She pulled away from Father and reached out a hand as though she had the power to call the ticket back.
Tiny bright sparks erupted from the parchment like a sparkler on solstice.
My smile of satisfaction was interrupted by a flash of light overhead.
No. No. No.
As with the first time, the light dispersed and a silver ticket fluttered down in front of me. I snatched it from the air as it floated past my neck and stared at the parchment in disbelief. The familiar calligraphy felt like a summons.
Father puffed out his chest. “Looks like it’s settled, Aerith. You’re attending The Monster Ball.”
Chapter Four
On the eve of the ball, Shalendra’s maid, Penelo, helped me get ready. I’d let Mel select my dress—a yellow ball gown with a sleeveless corset top.
“In case you find yourself lost in the dark amongst monsters,” Mel had said. “Remember you are sunshine.”
Tears had glistened over my eyes.
And then Mel had added, “And you’ll burn anyone who bothers you to a crisp.”
The burst of laughter that erupted from my lips had felt good.
Now I sat fidgeting on a low-backed cushioned chair while Penelo finished arranging my blonde locks into a soft bun with wispy strands framing my face. Next, she brushed golden shimmer over my eyelids and applied dark liner that made the blues of my irises pop.
Mel sat on the edge of my bed holding still for once as she watched every step of my makeover. Thankfully Father and Shalendra knew to stay away.
“What kinds of shapeshifters do you think you’ll meet?” she asked.
I held my youngest sister’s gaze in the mirror and shrugged.
Penelo hissed as the movement nearly bumped her arm while she held a mascara wand in front of my left eye.
“Sorry,” I muttered to Penelo before glancing back at Mel. “I don’t know. I doubt they’d shift at the ball.”
“So, they’ll look human the entire time?” Mel’s head drooped in disappointment.
I chuckled. Mel sighed then perked up a heartbeat later. The mirror reflected her head as it lifted and her eyes widened on mine.
“If I was a shifter, I’d want to be a raven so I could fly. No, no, wait. I’d want to be a jaguar so I could run really fast and roar at the stupid elves who call me Butternut.”
I jerked out of the chair and spun around, hands on my hips, ignoring Penelo’s sharp intake of breath as she pulled the mascara wand away just in time to avoid marking the yellow fabric on my gown.
“Who calls you Butternut?” I demanded.
Mel pressed her lips together and shrugged. She ran her fingers over the silk comforter on my four-poster bed, studying her hands closely as she stroked the smooth fabric.
“Well, whoever they are, they’re all a bunch of pit heads,” I stated.
Mel snorted and looked up at me with a grin. Her face fell a second later.
“Aerith,” she started softly, stopping to stare into her lap.
“What is it?” I asked, sweeping over to her side.
When Mel looked up, tears glistened in her eyes.
“Are you going to find a mate and leave me again?”
“Absolutely not,” I said, shaking my head vehemently. Penelo sighed, but my updo held. She’d pinned it well.
Penelo began putting away my hair combs and makeup. I glanced her way and cleared my throat.
“That will be all for now, Penelo. Thank you for your assistance.”
She looked up and frowned. I raised my eyebrows and watched her until she’d shuffled out of my room. I was sure she would have liked to stay and eavesdrop so she could report to Shalendra later. I closed the door behind Penelo and returned to Mel’s side, taking her soft hands into mine.
“I am not attending the ball to look for a mate.” I glanced at the door and lowered my voice. “Maybe I’ll meet a high elf looking to expand his royal guard.”