The Alice Curse by Megan Van Dyke

The Alice Curse by Megan Van Dyke

Author:Megan Van Dyke
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781648983542
Publisher: City Owl Press


25

To think Finn once looked forward to these balls. Before the queen set her eyes to him, each one excited him with its free and festive nature—so different from the White Court of his youth with its rules and formality. Plus, there were wine and partners aplenty. What more could he want? Now, he wished for nothing more than to hide in his burrow. He frowned at the mass of people filing into the expansive ballroom and tugged at the stiff collar of his uniform. The king’s commanders dressed in their finery, expected to attend the ball but also stay alert for trouble. Many of the Red knights bemoaned missing the celebration, being forced to patrol the outskirts of the court for any sign of trouble. He’d have given much to trade places with them.

The queen would be here. Eliza would be here. And though he longed to see her again, the thought of sticking to the shadows and seeing her dance with various partners was enough to make his teeth grind together. Red Court balls were often far from chaste, some couples and groups choosing to indulge their desires on the chaises spotted around the floor or even against a wall. Once the drinks started flowing, laced with preventatives to ensure the festivities didn’t result in a rash of children months later, any number of things were bound to happen.

Would anyone dare try for more with their new Alice? That was a sight he’d never be able to suffer.

A servant passed by carrying a tray laden with saucers of wine. Finn snatched one and tipped it back, letting the sweet liquid bubble and slide across his tongue.

“Drinking on the job?” Lizardo edged into Finn’s periphery.

Finn shot him a side-eyed look and took another sip. “One drink can’t hurt.” Ancient kings, I need it to get through this night.

“Hrmp.” The captain crossed his arms and stared toward the arriving guests. “So long as it’s only one. If there’s trouble…”

Yeah, yeah. He, of all people, knew what was at stake. “Have they been warned of the danger?” he whispered. Finn tipped his head toward the gaggle of people in their finery.

“Of course not,” Lizardo snapped. “And disrupt Alice’s ball?”

Alice’s ball… She seemed to loathe the idea of it as much as him. But then, he wasn’t surprised the king had ordered the threat to be kept quiet. Why cause a stir until it was necessary? Everyone knew that Alice’s arrival was a fraught time. Forcing all the guards to their posts this night wouldn’t be that unusual. It was probably why the king ordered them to don their dress uniforms rather than anything useful for battle. A clever illusion of happiness and security for all the people.

“Still,” Lizardo continued, “best to keep an eye out.” He slid his attention to Finn. “Interesting that you would request to be posted out here rather than at Her Majesty’s side.”

“I’m sure you’ll take up that post well enough.” The man did just about everything he could to look good in front of the queen.



Download



Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.