Chapter 144
Chapter 144
Avery’s POV
I was still so angry from finding Zara and Dierdra plotting in the corridors, and frustrated with myself at being caught. I hadn’t even heard what they were discussing, so it truly was useless intel.
I stared out at the swirling dance floor, feeling a black melancholic mood descending over me. Coming here had been such a waste of time. Instead of being able to question Zara about my mother’s whereabouts, I instead learned that she was coordinating with Gideon’s true mate.
It all was falling into place now. The convenient timing of Dierdra’s arrival right before our wedding. The mark on her neck that I knew was false but which Gideon wouldn’t believe me about.
Knowing Zara was behind it all made so much sense. She wanted me gone, and she was working with the Rogue King to accomplish it. My enemies were all in league with one another and against their concerted efforts I felt helpless and childlike.
Now I needed to entertain myself at this ball for the next two days, which should have been easy with so many people and so many diversions, and yet I was forbidden from interacting with any of it. I didn’t see Gideon at the moment, but I was sure wherever he was, he would soon appear and glare at me for existing.
My fingers clenched in the tulle of my skirt as I tried to contain my frustration.
“May I offer some refreshment?” came a low baritone from beside me. I turned, startled, and found the tall red-haired Alpha from earlier holding out a cup of punch.
I took it gratefully, with a smile, “I’m so sorry about earlier, Gideon ah… he’s a bit possessive, you see p>
Reynaud raised an eyebrow intriguingly, “You don’t say p>
I laughed and sipped at the cup. It was refreshingly cold and tangy.
“Oh yes, sometimes I think he’d forbid me from breathing if he found it displeased him p>
“I doubt anyone could find you displeasing, Luna Avery,” Reynaud smiled that charming smile, “Your mere presence has made this inexorable ball so much more entertaining p>
“I don’t think anyone’s described me as ‘entertaining’ before…” I grimaced, “Usually it’s words like tedious, annoying, or insufferable p>
“You don’t strike me as any of those things,” Reynaud murmured in my ear, moving a bit closer. I could smell his cologne and feel the lapels of his jacket brushing against my bare shoulder as he leaned towards me.
The heat of the room felt like it was turning up a notch. I fanned myself with my hand and swayed a bit.
“Would you like to dance?” Reynaud was asking, but I shook my head ‘no p>
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Chapter 144
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“I’m actually feeling a bit overwhelmed,” I admitted, “It has been a very long day p>
“Perhaps you’ll allow me to escort you to your rooms then?” the Alpha offered, solicitously.
I tried to parse through whether that would be something Gideon would be mad at me about later, and then decided that he didn’t need to know. Reynaud was just being a gentleman, something that Gideon
didn’t know anything about.
“Really, anywhere out of the crush would be fantastic,” I admitted, “It’s just so warm in here,” I tossed back the dregs of my punch and dropped the cup onto a nearby table, “I actually don’t know where I’m staying p>
“Ah!” Reynaud exclaimed, “Well, that’s easily solved. I know where your rooms are, as it happens. Let me direct you right away p>
Once more, he hooked my arm into his, politely ignoring my somewhat graceless stumbling as we walked out of the ballroom into the hallways beyond.
“I’m so sorry I’m so clumsy,” I laughed, as I tripped up the curving staircase he led me towards, “That long drive must have made my body more tired than I thought p>
“Truly you’ve had an exhausting day,” Reynaud caught me around the waist at the top of the staircase and carefully pulled me away from the edge, “Do you think you can make it a bit further p>
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