Hot Off the Presses: The Queen of Dawn by Jay Aury & Amanda Clover

Author:Jay Aury & Amanda Clover [Aury, Jay]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2021-11-14T00:00:00+00:00

Love and Betrayal

Lacey skipped down the painted world of backstage, feeling light as a feather. She was early in returning to the World Theater, but she hadn’t been able to sleep. To think! She’d be helping with the Queen of Dawn’s new performance! She’d been up before dawn, and the theater was still mostly closed. Of course, not to her, with the help of a quick lockpick. Karl had insisted she learn, calling it every reporter’s best tool.

Besides! She was an actress now. She got to be here.

Only a few stagehands were about, working on the sets for the big performance that night. A royal performance! Apparently, the king of New Larrin was going to be attending, along with most of the nobility. How amazing! She had to thank Marilyn for getting her a part in such a momentous event. Whatever happened would be the story of the decade!

She reached the starlet’s dressing room soon enough, but when she was about to knock, she heard a gasp and a whisper. Instantly she stopped, her pointed ears perking up. She tilted her head, keen senses detecting soft murmurs from within.

Her reporter’s instinct guiding her, Lacey moved closer, her steps as silent as leaves falling in a forest. At the door, she sidled close, and peeked through the crack.

In the glow of the lamps, before her vanity and in a loose robe and nothing more, Marilyn sat with a young stagehand. He was cute in that boy next door way, a simple workman’s smock unable to fully mask the firmness of his build, his face handsome with short, curly brown hair. Some of which Marilyn brushed back with a gentle touch.

The two held hands, he stroking hers as she touched his cheek, tilting his head. They leaned in, and lips met with a tenderness that made Lacey’s heart ache with emotion.

They broke apart, Marilyn’s expression pained. “You have to go,” she said.

“Another minute,” he whispered, stroking her hand.

“Evin…”

“Marilyn, please…”

“I can’t,” she whispered, turning her head.

Evin hesitated, but rose at last. He leaned in, kissing her again, lingering long, and then reluctantly they broke apart. Lacey sighed dreamily, then realized he was coming towards her.

She quickly stepped back as he opened the door, head bowed, so focused on his own troubles he never noticed the elf standing in the shadows. Lacey watched him go, and stepped through the open door.

Marilyn sat at the vanity, her chin in her palm, her eyes staring at her reflection. The gemstone in her necklace glowed fitfully, casting her face in its light.

“Congratulations!” Lacey chirped.

Marilyn whirled to her feet with a gasp, clutching the table as she faced Lacey, a hand over her pounding heart. “You… what… how much did you see?”

“Everything! Oh, he is so sexy! No wonder you have him on the side!”

Marilyn stared at her like a hunted rabbit, but finally her face fell. “I see,” she said, her voice low. Defeated. She turned and picked up a bottle of wine that had been resting on the vanity.

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