I’m standing in the middle of my bedchamber in Banehallow Palace, Russia.
My best friend Genesis and the royal lycans planned to go back to Russia for a little while right after high school graduation. They invited me to come along as a sort of grad trip.
Not life’s greatest plan, but that was Penny Ruiz’s plan.
The day you turn eighteen is the day you can sense your mate for the first time. So, my birthday a few weeks ago was a big deal. That’s why I planned a big party.
If you don’t find your mate on your eighteenth birthday, people talk behind your back.
So, I invited all the good-looking boys I had a crush on. Well…that was basically all the unmated werewolf boys at our school.
I know, call me boy crazy, but I was hoping one of those boys would be my mate. I was just being thorough. I’m a very dedicated she-wolf.
But three hours into the party, my excited mood was gone. I shook hands with every unmated male there and didn’t feel the slightest spark with any of them.
So, with nothing better to do, I accepted the royal invite.
I’m all decked out in a Sue Wong strapless purple dress. The bodice is exquisitely embroidered and beaded, while the gown fully feathered. A pair of four-inch, feathered, white Jimmy Choo stilettos grace my feet.
The stylist and the ladies who did my hair and makeup just left, and I’m standing here by myself, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
Olga dried, combed, brushed, and hot-ironed my short, dark hair till it framed my face in a straight, shiny cascade down to my chin. Then she added a flapper hair band with shiny beads across my forehead and soft feathers on the side.
They’re holding a party for Genesis’s new mate bond with Prince Constantine, as well as the return of Caspian, Lazarus, and Serena.
Caspian is actually Prince Caspian—the crown prince. Also Constantine’s cousin.
There’s a brief knock on my door, and Genesis breezes in before I tell her to come in. Her wonderful, familiar scent wafts in the air along with the light, flowery smell of an expensive perfume.
She looks glamorous and breathtaking in a long, peacock-green-and-gold dress. Beautiful peacock feathers adorn the length of it.
There are more peacock feathers in her red hair, which is swept up into an elaborate updo with a few wispy tendrils framing her flawless face.
Genesis was a werewolf like me until her bond with Constantine triggered her transformation. Now, she fits in with the lycans here as if she always had, beauty and all.
She is followed closely by Serena, who looks stunning in a long, red, flowing strapless silk dress with a slit that goes all the way to her thigh, showing off her perfectly long, tanned leg every time she takes a step.
The bodice of her dress is covered in soft, red feathers. Her bright-red lips match her dress, and her golden-blonde hair is swept up to the side, leaving one shoulder bare.
“You look breathtaking!” exclaims Genesis as she takes my hand in hers and twirls me around.
“Look who’s talking,” I laugh. “You two look absolutely gorgeous! I feel like a purple bird.”
“A beautiful purple bird,” chimes Serena.
Together, we walk out to meet Constantine and Lazarus, who are waiting for us in the grand hallway just outside the ballroom.
Our entrance is different from everyone else’s, since the left wing of the palace is reserved only for Crown Prince Caspian, Prince Constantine and his mate Genesis, Lazarus, and Serena.
And little old me too…for some reason.
Lazarus only has eyes for Serena, but he spares me a look after complimenting his mate and then kissing her affectionately on the cheek.
“You look absolutely beautiful, Penny.” He smiles, offering me one of his arms while Serena hangs on to his other.
“Yes, you look gorgeous,” agrees Constantine, giving me a little bow.
“Thank you.” I smile. “You guys clean up pretty well yourselves. Could be better, but ehh…not too shabby.”
“Oh, stop. You’re making me blush,” says Lazarus, deadpan. The three of us girls burst out laughing while Constantine grins, shaking his head.
Lazarus and Constantine are actually a lot more than “not too shabby.” They’re actually looking very spectacular. A sight to behold.
Lazarus is in a dark-red, high-collared, eighteenth-century gentleman’s suit, so dark it appears black in the dim light of the hallway. One side is trimmed with gold buttons.
Constantine is wearing a black velvet classic frock coat trimmed with green silk damask similar to the color of Genesis’s dress, and antique-style gold buttons.
These men can wear such ostentatious ensembles and still look jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Not that I’m going to admit that to them. “Not too shabby” is all they’re getting from me.
Most of the time I feel like the men treat me like a pesky but highly amusing little sister.
Speaking of the men… “Where’s Caspian?”
Genesis leans to look at me around Constantine and grins mischievously. “He had his arm twisted by Queen Sophia to escort Lady Celeste to the ball.” She giggles. “I think he would much prefer to escort an abominable snowman…or even you, Beany Penny.”
I groan inwardly. Caspian gave me that nickname. I still have no idea what Beany means. Gosh, I hate that nickname!
“Serves him right for calling me Beany Penny,” I reply. “Just as well…we might kill each other before the party’s over tonight.”
Genesis’s eyes light up with mischief, and she says, “Oh gosh! If the party gets too boring, the three of us could start—”
“That’s why we intend to keep you two away from Caspian for the sake of the ball and the safety of everybody attending tonight,” interrupts Constantine quickly, though he sounds amused rather than annoyed.
“Debbie Downer,” mutters Genesis teasingly as we straighten up just before two uniformed men open the massive, heavy doors to the ballroom for us.
“I thought I was your chunky monkey,” mutters Constantine from the side of his mouth.
Genesis’s reply is lost to me as the sound of beautiful live music resonates around us. I feel my breath catch in my throat as we step farther into the room and descend the stairs.
The ballroom is like nothing I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s massive. Sparkling crystal chandeliers hang from the high ceiling. There are two sets of staircases, one of which we are descending from, and there are balconies with golden banisters all around.
There are fresh flowers and feathers in different colors in big silver pots by the walls. Each is illuminated with its own golden glow of lights.
Underneath the curve of the staircase at the other end is a little platform where an orchestra dressed in gold and cream and outrageous feathers is performing.
Near our staircase is a wider and grander platform that separates it from the rest of the room. On the platform, there are several intricately carved chairs with two royal thrones in the middle of the arrangement.
Guests dressed to the nines stop and stare when we enter the room. Everyone is wearing feathers of some sort. Some are more outrageous than others.
It’s a good thing their attention is more on Genesis and Constantine.
Not long after, King Alexandros and Queen Sophia enter after the announcement is made. I’ve met them before, but seeing them now in their formal attire, I can only stare at them in awe.
The men bow and the women curtsy, but as soon as they’re seated, King Alexandros waves his hand dismissively and the merriment continues.
Queen Sophia looks beautiful in a yellow-and-gold silk dress. She’s a very beautiful lady with blonde hair, green eyes, and a charming smile that looks a lot like Caspian’s.
King Alexandros is a distinguished, good-looking gentleman with dark hair and dark eyes. I think Constantine looks a lot more like King Alexandros than Caspian does.
I feel like a little girl playing dress-up at an adult party. Everyone looks so sophisticated and flawlessly beautiful. Of course, most of them are lycans. Otherworldly creatures.
Even Genesis looks like she belongs here, though I’m sure she’s not much more experienced than I am with events like this.
She’s talking quietly to Queen Sophia now, while Constantine’s attention is taken by King Alexandros.
I realize that we’re in the area for the royals, dignitaries, and top-ranking officers. I am none of those, but nobody seems to be making a fuss about it.
Still, I feel uneasy. A werewolf among lycans. I’m a confident woman, but even I have my limits.
I try to slip away quietly, but Serena grabs my hand.
Then she snatches a drink from one of the attendants flitting around with trays of drinks and hors d’oeuvres. I just wave the man away when he offers me a glass.
“I start yawning as soon as they start talking about politics and militaries and finances,” comments Serena.
I can see that Lazarus’s attention is taken by a couple of older gentlemen.
“I feel like an outsider here,” I confess quietly.
“You don’t look like an outsider, sweetie. Trust me. If anybody said otherwise, they would have to deal with me,” she says playfully, but I think she means it.
“But I think this area here is for the royal family and such,” I protest.
“It’s for the royals and their closest friends and confidantes. You are that to Genesis and more. You’re our friend too and—oh my…would you look at that.”
I twist around to look at what she’s staring at behind me. Caspian just walked in with his date.
So, that must be Lady Celeste. She barely comes up to Caspian’s shoulder. Her light-brown hair is in an elaborate twist, and her deep-purple dress is covered with shiny crystals and feathers. Lots of feathers.
Caspian is dressed in a dark-purple velvet jacket with an elaborate deep-purple silk cravat. His top hat also has feathers at the center.
He’s dressed a little more flamboyantly than most men in this room, but he carries the look with such confidence and regal bearing that I can’t fault it.
Admittedly, they look good together, but judging by the cold, haughty look on his face, I don’t think Caspian really likes this arrangement.
“Poor Caspian,” I mutter to Serena, and I hear her choke on her drink. I don’t sound at all sincere.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate Caspian. Not at all. To be honest, I’m quite fond of him. Not that I’m going to admit that to him.
Caspian is truly an enigma. Despite his drop-dead gorgeous appearance and cocky, obnoxious, immature, royal son-of-a-bitch attitude, he has a complex personality.
Once he decides that you’re worthy and accepted within his tight circle where only a few are allowed, you’ll know.
I know exactly when he accepted me. It was when he threw his first insult at me. I insulted him right back because…well, because I’m me.
He looked at me with a raised eyebrow. I raised an eyebrow right back at him. We both tipped our chins up almost in unison.
We have an understanding, Caspian and I. We show our mutual fondness and respect for each other by trading insults and making each other’s lives as unbearable as possible.
I have a feeling Lady Celeste wouldn’t be winning his trust and affection anytime soon, though.
While Serena chatters away, I just nod while my eyes roam around.
Suddenly, I gasp. Literally gasp like one of those girls in old movies.
Behind Serena is the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.
