Page 73 of The Kings Game

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“I guess it depends. If these memories are mine, which we’re assuming they are because it makes the most sense, will regaining all my memories erase who I am now? Will I merge with my former self? What if I was a total bitch? What if I was this terrible goddess? I want answers, but at the same time, I don’t.”

“What are you going to do about Essos?”

She stands and takes my comb from my hand so she can get at the back. I sag with relief.

“What else is there to do? This me—Daphne Marie Hale—wants to know him better, but knowing that he knows who I am, that he could maybe, I don’t know, make the Calling stop and help me but doesn’t, feels wrong. Then again, if I was his brother’s wife, what purpose is there for keeping me around, if not to fuck with Galen? Essoshasto know who I am, right? He’s King of the Dead; this feels like something he would know. If Essos dismisses me, will I get my memories back? Methinks not, otherwise, he would have just done that. I want to put my full faith in Essos, but these secrets are a huge problem.”

Cat finishes the last of the knots and rests her hands on my shoulders. “You already know I think that, if it comes down to the two of them, Essos is the right call, but it’s super easy for me to have that opinion, being the one with no past life, and Galen doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies the way he does you.”

“You should feel these memories—there was such chemistry. My need for him was so extreme, and it wasn’t one-sided.”

“I hate to be the parrot here, but I guess we just have to wait for the Calling Ball.”

* * *

I hardly see Essos the next day, as Helene has him tied up with preparations for this teaser ball that she’s throwing. Each time someone approaches him, she shoos them away, including Sybil when they come with paperwork for him. I disappear to the gardens with a book, trying to find another world to disappear into that doesn’t involve being torn between these two brothers. I’ve been avoiding Galen because I hate these big feelings and the confusion that comes with him. He hasn’t said it, but I can feel his expectation that I’ll go along with him. I can’t blame him—he wants his wife back—but without my memories, I don’t feel like that person. It’s like he wants a version of me that doesn’t exist anymore.

When I return to my room in the afternoon to get ready, there’s a large box with a note on top. I open the envelope and find a gold notecard inside.

Please find your attire for tonight inside this box. Defy me and pay.

–Helene

I snort, but when I open the box, my amusement dies immediately. Resting on top of the tissue paper is a golden mask. One half is gold with some black scrollwork around the eye, while the other half is a full butterfly wing, grand and open with five different gems on the wings—three on top and two on the bottom. The weight of the mask presses on my hands, and I can hardly imagine what it’s going to be like to wear it. Gingerly, I put it on and turn toward my mirror to see how it looks.

I shouldn’t be surprised when it’s weightless on my face, but I am.

I set the mask aside and pull out the dress. I have to remind myself how to breathe while I admire it. It’s hard to believe that it fit inside the box. If I know anything about Helene, it’s magic.

There is so much skirt to the dress, I have no idea where to even begin to get into it. It’s lower-cut than anything I would have chosen for myself, with off-the-shoulder sleeves. The bodice is a shiny gold fabric, and the skirt is covered in gold sparkles and sequins, starting with more at the top and getting fewer and fewer as they travel down to the bottom of the dress. I look closer and realize that they aren’t sequins at all, but instead what I hope are only rhinestones, covering the tulle of the skirt. The dress is heavy in my hands, but I suspect that, like the mask, it will be weightless on my body. I set it aside and take my shower, almost wanting to take the dress with me so it’s never out of sight.

When I come back out, there’s another box on my bed, smaller this time, with another gold note.

Oops! I almost forgot!

—H

I open the box to find a simple drop necklace—a sapphire surrounded by tiny diamonds—and Art Deco chandelier earrings covered in diamonds and a solitary sapphire at the bottom of each. I pull shoes out of the box next and place them on the bed, just staring at them. They look like they’re solid gold with beautiful gold scrolls and laurels around the heels.

I pinch myself, because I must be dreaming. When that fails to wake me, I do the only thing I can, and get ready for the ball. I can only hope that I don’t suffer the same fate as Cinderella, and that I get to see this night play out.

CHAPTER26

To maintain the mystique of the masquerade ball, we’re all given different times to arrive at the party that only we know. It’s not like it’s hard to figure out who is who when I get downstairs, but I like the idea behind it.I’m not even allowed toseeCat while we get ready, let alone know what her dress looks like.

When I walk downstairs, I see Helene first. She’s easy to make out, bossing everyone around in her white dress. Calling it a white dress is too simple, though, because the back is covered in peacock feathers twisting up her skirt to the bottom half of her strapless bodice. The sweetheart neckline has feathers extending over her shoulder, and her mask is black with a peacock curling around the right eye, the feathers sticking out to the side. She’s stunning as she points and directs people toward the food, waving away the staff who come to take her place. From what I’ve come to know about Helene, I’m hardly surprised that she’s micromanaging to this degree.

A man approaches me and holds out his hand, a grey mask on his face. I smile at Finn.

“May I have this dance?” he asks, faking a deeper voice, and sweeps me onto the dance floor. I let him lead me around in a waltz. We don’t last long together before we’re interrupted by Galen asking for the next dance. Finn looks like he would rather eat rocks than say yes, but I nod my head, accepting.

We’re all supposed to pretend we don’t know who’s behind the mask, and I’m okay with that, enjoying the pretend mystery. I know that dancing with Galen means I’ll get a memory. I side my hand into his, and he pulls my body close as we start dancing.

We’re dancing closer than we are now, at another masquerade ball. Around me, the colors of the dresses swirl past, and everything is so sharp, it’s almost painful to look at. Galen whispers something in my ear, sending chills down my spine, offering to get me a drink, asking me to follow him. I nod, letting him lead me off the dance floor into a side room.

No sooner are we in the room than he’s kissing my neck and reaching up to untie my mask. I stop him, catching his hand in mine.

“Sir, a lady must maintain her mystery. How could I face anyone if I let you tarnish my honor while everyone dances in the next room?”


Tags: Nicole Sanchez Fantasy