She carefully opened the envelope, revealing a smaller gilded letter. The size of a postcard, it slipped into her palm with ease.
The invitation was almost identical to the one Ryker had first gotten to confirm his place in the Choosing. Mere months had passed since then, yet it felt like centuries ago.
On the front, scrawling black letters read,You’re Invited!
Brynleigh hummed and turned it around. Written in the same cursive as the front was an invitation to the Reunion, set to take place a week from today.
“There you go. Seven days.” She tapped her index finger on the edge of the envelope for a long moment before looking up at him.
“All the pieces are falling into place. You do your army thing,”—she spun a finger in the air like a little tornado, which he found ridiculously endearing—“and I’ll work on the rebels. We’ll trap them before they harm anyone else, putting a stop to this once and for all.”
She sounded so sure. So confident.
Ryker admired and loved that about her, but unease crawled up the back of his neck. Would it truly be that simple? He hoped so.
He wanted nothing more than to put this entire portion of theirlives behind them when the Reunion was over. He wanted to bring Brynleigh to his cabin and spend weeks enjoying life by the lake. He wanted long nights in front of the chess board, playing—and winning—against her.
He wanted laughter, joy, and peace, and he wouldn’t stop until they’d achieved that.
It was so close that he could practically taste it.
CHAPTER 31
A Return to the Hall of Choice
“You look positively stunning,” Hallie gushed from her seat in the limo beside Brynleigh.
Davis, Ryker’s driver, had picked them up half an hour ago from the Fortune Elf’s house. He had successfully navigated the traffic of downtown Golden City while the two women enjoyed a glass of Faerie Wine and chatted.
Brynleigh had been nervous about seeing her friend again, agonizing over asking Hallie if she wanted to ride with her to the Reunion. In the end, she’d messaged her friend, and the Fortune Elf had agreed to get together this afternoon.
Ryker and Therian, Hallie’s husband, were busy with last-minute plans for tonight. They would meet their wives at the Reunion. Ryker had called an hour ago, letting Brynleigh know he was taking Marlowe for a run before coming to meet her at the Hall of Choice.
It had been a long but fruitful week. Brynleigh had attended yet another rebel meeting and deceived even more of them into thinking she was on their side. She’d gone with Ryker to deliver the cipher and book she’d stolen to the army’s code-breakers. It looked promising, and Ryker seemed confident it would give them enough evidence to arrest and convict several suspected rebels.
She’d even braved Waterborn House and Tertia’s wrath yesterday to visit Ryker’s father. Tertia had been cold, which was expected, but Brynleigh had enjoyed seeing her father-in-law. He’d opened his eyes, and Ryker had been happy all night, even after Brynleigh beat him twice at chess.
None of that had been as scary as pulling up to Hallie and Therian’s house had been earlier today. Their quaint neighborhood looked like it had been lifted from a storybook. Laughing children ran on emerald lawns. Parents sat on porches, watching their offspring play. Even the houses seemed to radiate happiness.
Brynleigh had felt out of place. There was a reason that vampires didn’t go in the sun. With hearts as black as ink, they didn’t deserve to experience the beauty of daylight.
She’d been so nervous that her friend would hate her, but it turned out Hallie was a far better person than Brynleigh. She’d forgiven her, and they’d hugged and spent the afternoon together.
Now, they were pulling up to the Hall of Choice, where four other limos were lined up in front of the entrance.
Brynleigh ran her fingers down the black shimmering silk of her floor-length gown. “You think so?”
She’d picked up the dress a few evenings ago. It had a high halter neck and long, fitted sleeves that came past her wrists. The back was practically non-existent, giving plenty of room for wings if she set them free. Although most of the other women would probably be wearing heels, Brynleigh had opted for a pair of flats. She wore her necklace and tracking bracelet, both pieces of jewelry hidden by the dress.
“I know so.” Hallie took a generous gulp of her wine and swayed in her seat. “Ryker is going to lose his shit when he sees you.”
Brynleigh snorted. She had never heard Hallie swear, but apparently, all it took was one glass of wine to loosen the Fortune Elf right up. “Thank you. You look beautiful, too.”
Hallie’s dress was a pale pink, glittery cloud. It was strapless, with a tight bodice before flaring out at the hips. Layers of tulle formed a full, fluffy skirt. The back was low, allowing room for the elf’s wings. Her white hair was styled in loose waves over her shoulder, and diamond earrings studded her lobes.
“Thank you.” Hallie swallowed the last of her wine as the car inched forward. There was only one limo in front of them now. “You know, I’m glad the Choosing is ending. It was nice, and obviously, I’m grateful for the experience, but it’s been…”
“A lot,” Brynleigh finished for her friend. “I couldn’t agree more.”