The women rode in one carriage and the men in the other. Originally, Alyssa intended to ride with Jack and Lane, leaving the two couples to socialize and sparing her the uncomfortableness of being trapped in small confines with a flirting Cynthia. Unfortunately, she’d have to be blind to not notice the tension between Lane and Jack, even if she couldn’t imagine why it was there.

She suspected her poor lackey didn’t have much experience with old, grumpy men, splitting his time between her and other acolytes. Her second preference, riding by herself, would have been too selfish. The carriages available for hire in the Grand Market were fairly nice, with shuttered windows and plush benches, but far from spacious. Cramming six people into one, even for a relatively short trip, was borderline torture.

The current compromise was the best of the possible configurations, but it didn’t come without its trials. Specifically, an excited alchemist. “Oh, this is going to be so much fun!” Cynthia said excitedly as they rode toward their destination. “I wish I had more time to prepare. I would have ordered a dress and accessories. I hope I don’t embarrass myself in these rags.”

Alyssa looked at the Cynthia dress. As usual, the woman’s clothes skirted the edge of propriety. It was a tight black number made of a fabric that seemed to catch the light. It was laced up, but in the front, not the back. It wouldn’t have been so bad if the strings had been done tightly but they were purposely left loose. Combined with the low v-neck, a scandalous amount of skin was on display from her waist to her collarbone.

A diamond necklace hung from her neck, hoops dangled from her ears, and golden bangles covered her wrists. She caught flashes of red whenever Cynthia adjusted the white shawl around her shoulders or played with her dark hair with the slightest amount of wave to it. She looked gorgeous, as she always did. One did not dress casually as the face of a beauty company.

Then she looked down at her own scarlet robe, her work clothes, then over to Marie’s simple white dress. If the alchemist was wearing rags, what were they dressed in? Trash?

“And I would have gotten a gift. Nothing for the house as you say Kierra won’t be staying. A terrible loss for the Hall, but these things can’t be helped. Perhaps some bath salts. She mentioned to me she likes a good soak. Or maybe a good dagger.”

“Should we have brought gifts?” Marie asked, looking worried.

“No,” Alyssa said forcefully. “They don’t need anything we could get our hands on.” It was almost offensive how luxurious Lou and Kierra’s lives were.

“I see. Forgive me if I’m being oblivious or something, but what’s really going on tonight? The rumors of Lourianne Tome being dismissed from the Hall even reached me in the dark corner of Historical Studies.” Marie sighed, briefly lamenting the struggle in teaching such a mundane discipline in the most magical institution in the kingdom. “It’s not exactly something to celebrate…is it?”

“I have to agree. You would think they would take the opportunity to disappear into the night like proper scoundrels.”

Alyssa scowled as two pairs of eyes turned to her. “Why are you looking at me? I don’t know what goes on in those crazy people’s heads.”

“You have to be somewhat close to them. You’re getting us an audience with Kierra Atainna. I’ll have you know not even the king or the Guiness patriarch can manage such a feat.”

“For some reason, both of them have…taken a liking to me, I suppose. Kierra sees a kindred spirit in the traditions of the north, which is one reason in a rapidly growing list that I’m never going south of Harvest. My face is a good enough reason for Lou.”

Alyssa wasn’t arrogant about her looks, but she knew she was a good-looking woman. It was her green eyes. They were narrower than her mothers’ but slightly upturned at the ends. Cat-like had been used to describe them more than once. They made the rest of her rather plain features noteworthy, lending her a natural air of intimidation.

Most were unnerved by her gaze, but she always had unprecedented success with those who liked their women…aggressive. Lou was married to Kierra. Even Alana, a Victorian, was quicker to violence than most. It was obvious she had a type.

“Don’t underestimate yourself. I look like this—" Cynthia gestured to her face. “—yet the rumored most lecherous woman in the whole kingdom didn’t seek me out. You’ve got more than a pretty face, Ally.”

The redhead grumbled and turned away. “I’ve got nothing for a married brat.”

“Don’t be so quick to dismiss the possibility. There’s got to be a reason so many women are infatuated with Lou. Maybe the reason you’ve been ignoring poor Lane for so many years is because you want to try a different kind of meat.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Oh, for saints’ sake, not this again!” Alyssa turned her gaze to the ceiling, silently praying for saintly intervention. “For the last time, Lane is not in love with me.”

“Ally, please. You’re not blind. Or deaf.”

“You didn’t know?” Marie asked incredulously. “It’s so obvious.”

“Isn’t it? The man would have to pull out his heart and offer it to her to be any more obvious.”

“I’m not saying he doesn’t care for me.” That was obvious and though it would pain her to say so out loud, she cared for her doggedly loyal lackey as well. “But it’s a different kind of care. Not everything is about sex.”

Cynthia laughed uproariously.

“He hasn’t said a damn word about…affection. Hasn’t made a single attempt to come on to me, drunk or sober. Fuck, he doesn’t even steal glances at my chest. He outright denies any kind of attraction.”

“Probably because he’s terrified of you,” the alchemist replied after smothering the last of her chuckles. “Or of rejection. Confessing your feelings to the object of your admiration is never easy. I imagine your crush scoffing at the thought of you being together and treating you like a stupid adult or slightly mature child doesn’t help. If he tells you how he feels, it’s all over. You’ll push him away. I don’t think the poor man would know what to do with himself if he couldn’t follow around after you.”

“Have you had enough?” Alyssa asked drolly, tired of playing her friend’s game.

“Alright. I’ll let the matter drop with one last word. Keep your mind open to the possibilities. You’re not getting any younger, Ally. If you don’t want to settle down with a husband poised to spoil you rotten, at least have a little fun before you wake up with aching bones.”

-

Soon enough, they arrived in front of Kierra’s estate. And they weren’t the first ones. Arranged at the end of the drive were several other carriages, a group of people standing before them. It was obvious enough that they were there for the party, but they seemed hesitant to approach. Alyssa stuck her head out of her carriage and yelled out to them. “Oi! Why are you idiots blocking the road?”

The group shifted and someone stepped forward. A tall young man with neatly combed dark hair and a well-trimmed goatee. His face spoke of youth but there was an age to his eyes that gave him an air of maturity, an image aided by his dark shirt, dark leather vest, and tailored pants. It took a few moments of appraisal, but she eventually recognized the man as Arthur, one of Lou’s teammates from the qualifiers. He’d been a foul-mouthed, damn near psychotic piece of shit during his interview. Now, his manner was intense but reserved. Like a predator at rest.

“Sorry about that. Just need a moment to get these idiots moving.” At his words, she noticed that the group was divided, Arthur and three other people wearing too much leather making up one group while a young man that also looked familiar stood in front of two other boys, one which looked far too young to be invited to a party hosted by Lourianne Tome. “Come on, Will. More people are showing up so we’re not too early.”

The name jogged Alyssa’s memory. The young man was William, another member of Lou’s qualifier team. He smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his ear. “Ah, my apologies. I feel a bit silly now. One moment.”

Alyssa pulled her head back into her own carriage, huffing at the thought of spending the evening surrounded by brats. Soon enough, they were moving again and it was time to disembark. The first word that came to mind when she saw the house was colorful. Standing torches with globular tops lined the dirt road that led to the house, the colored glass throwing iridescent light over the garden. Alyssa abruptly stiffened when she saw the first menacing shadow, but it only took a moment to understand that they were only the shadows of manabeasts, flickering and dancing throughout the garden.

A servant waited at the front door, directing them to park around the side. If Alyssa only judged from his sickly pale skin and the dark bags under his darker eyes, she would think that the man had been trapped in a dungeon for a decade before being let out of the darkness to help with the busy night. His clothes spoke against such a conclusion, the purple jacket with golden buttons and dark pants the same high-quality as the uniform of Lou’s young steward. He wasn’t skinny and didn’t have any visible injuries. Alyssa was reasonably certain he wasn’t being mistreated. Despite that, he didn’t appear to be a very joyful person. An impression cemented by his greeting.

“The mortals walk into the dwelling of stars, unwary that they may be blinded by the light and cast into eternal darkness. Waking up means forgetting one’s dreams. Rebirth means that first the vessel must die. The bittersweet beckons, drawing those of desire like beating wings to flame.”

“…pardon?” William asked after the spiel.

The servant stared at him for several long moments. Then he sighed, a sound so tired and utterly exasperated, Alyssa had the impression the poor man who looked he hadn’t had a restful night in all his life was breathing out his soul.

“Mind your drink. The lady is not responsible for what you do because you don’t know your limits. Thievery will not be tolerated. Those caught taking things they shouldn’t will have their fingers fed to flocketts. Any questions?”

“What’s a flockett?” A girl wearing leather pants and a leather top that exposed her midriff asked, something Alyssa bet had to be uncomfortable given the cool night.

“Small creatures that eat anything, including people. Any more questions?”

“Who are you?” William asked. “I’ve never seen you before.”

“Nomad. Any more questions?”

Alyssa scoffed. “Can everyone shut up and go inside?” The small group all looked at her before turning to the servant. He watched them with a bored expression, holding his silence as he hadn’t been addressed. “Thank the saints. Hey, no more questions. Let us in.”

Nomad bowed, showing both formality and a grace Alyssa would have never expected. “Welcome to my lady’s home, where troubles politely wait at the door. May this be a night you never forget.”