Chapter 44

Sienna’s POV

I was more nervous now than I had been for the Alpha Ball. This charity event felt like a huge deal — especially because I was speaking at it.

Especially especially because it was all for the orphans.

There was also the fact that I’d be spending a decent portion of the night sitting at a table with Julian, who I’d barely interacted with in weeks. There was a stress mounting itself on my shoulders, leaving me tense and short of breath.

Pull yourself together! I yelled to myself, my eyes straying to the stunning dress that Lucius had tailored for me.

It was as black as the darkest night, the main material made of silk, its halter top sparkling with an array of diamonds.

Real diamonds, apparently.

Lucius must have spent a fortune, and he wouldn’t let me say no to the dress. He also wouldn’t allow me to pitch in for it.

So I’d reluctantly taken it as a gift.

Okay, be honest. You love it, and you wanted it the moment you laid eyes on it.

I did. I really, really did.

I reached for the dress, slipping into it, gazing at the way it hugged my body so elegantly. It was simple, yet still looked wildly expensive.

The halter top clipped into place, and I fanned out my hair along my back, taking a long moment to stare in the mirror.

I’d aged many years in the span of a few months, and I looked good. It was like a portion of my youth had faded amidst all the things I’d had to deal with, being forced to grow up so fast.

My breath caught in my throat as I reached for the bracelet my mother had always worn, day in and day out — it was a symbol of Nightwind, the true heart of it.

So tonight, I’d wear it in honor of her and my father. Tonight was for them.

I turned away from my dazzling reflection in the mirror, ready to take on the heaviness of the night.

As I step out of my room, I see Asher waiting out in the dining room with his back to me. He’s suited up, and I know when he turns to face me, I’m going to completely lose any train of —

Yeah. Thoughts? Gone.

Brain? Mush.

I don’t know what he did differently, but he was next level handsome. His suit was embroidered with the colors of Nightwind, winding along his shoulders and down the buttons on the front.

The wave of his sandy blond hair was tamed more than normal, becoming a gentle ripple that fell perfectly against his jawline.

“Hi,” I said, unable to hide my smile. It was the first time I’d smiled in his direction in quite a while.

He could be yours, you idiot, if you’d just talk to him.

No, I was not going to go down that road.

Because yes, he looked absolutely amazing. More than amazing, and I couldn’t quite find the words to describe him, nothing that did him the justice he deserved.

But this was all fake. And now, it was time to keep faking everything even more.

“Wow,” Asher murmured, his eyes quickly scanning up and down me. The dress really was perfect for me, there was no doubt about that.

“Thanks,” I smiled, turning my gaze from him to the floor, heat rushing through me.

Please not now. Please.

He would smell it on me. He probably already did.

“Let’s go. You’ll dazzle everyone there,” he said softly, linking our arms.

My heart skipped a beat, and for a minute, it was like the old days when there was an undeniable spark between us that we both clearly acknowledged.

You want that back.

I ignored the little voice singing in my head, following Asher out the door and to the event.

As we approached the heart of Blackmoon, my heart started to pound harder. Flashes of what happened at the Alpha Ball flit through my head, leaving a sour taste in the back of my throat.

Julian wouldn’t though — not after what happened last time. The fact that all of that led to the downfall of one of his best investors…

He wouldn’t dare.

We step inside, and my eyes widen, the size of the space shocking me. It was done up so elegantly, an array of tables covered in a red velvet sheet scattered throughout the first half of the room.

Behind that were a number of pedestals with glass boxes on them, displaying all the things up for the first round of bidding.

I skimmed over a lot of the items, nothing really catching my eye until I saw a gorgeous silver and ruby necklace.

It was so intricate, a thousand different parts to it, and it shimmered in the twinkling lights of the chandeliers from above. I was completely drawn to it, and the sad truth was I could never afford to bid on it.

“That’s beautiful,” Asher murmured, leaning towards the glass to get a closer look at the stones embedded into the necklace.

“Yeah,” was the only thing I could manage to get out, my eyes glued to the piece of jewelry. I could only dream of owning something like that.

The plaque in front of it read the necklace of the allies, with no other information given about it.

“Must cost a pretty penny,” Asher chuckled, turning his attention away, though I still couldn’t seem to.

“A stunning piece, isn’t it?” Lucius voice startled me from my obsession with the necklace, and I glanced back to him.

Oh god, he looks way too handsome.

He was already criminally good looking — now, all done up and suited up, he was an actual model.

“What’s the story behind it? Necklace of the allies?” I asked, curiosity burning in me.

“It’s one of the most important pieces of jewelry in my family,” Lucius explained, a distant look in his eyes.

“Your family?” My eyebrows shot up, and he nodded, obviously proud.

“It was my great great great grandmothers — one of the biggest voices of the allies. She led countless revolutions against the rogues.”

“And you’re auctioning it?” I couldn’t stop the way my eyes widened, wondering why he would sell away such a beautiful work of art.

“It’s what she would want. Especially with all proceeds going to their aid.” He sounded wistful, for good reason.

“That’s amazing,” I smiled back, having completely forgotten that Asher was next to me until he tightened his grip on my arm.

“I’m sure that’ll raise a lot,” Asher spoke up, and I tore my eyes from the necklace to look over at him.

He looked annoyed. Was it because of Lucius?

“It’s about time to start the first round of bidding. Your speech will be after that.” Lucius met my eyes, that same admiration burning in his own, directed right at me.

“I’m nervous and excited.” I glanced over to the table I’d be sitting at, that sour taste rising to the back of my throat again at the thought of sitting next to Julian.

“Well, here goes nothing.”

I broke from Asher’s grasp, giving him a gentle nod, and headed over to my seat that was right next to Julian.