“I have to go, M.” She looked at me, pleading and watching my face as though she thought I might say no.
“Let me get dressed, I’ll take you anywhere.” I rolled out of bed and winced, a headache born of shared tears.
“I have to go to the funeral ball. I have to say good-bye. My stepmother will be there.”
I understood. Ari’s stepmother wouldn’t lay a hand or spell on her under my protection. If her stepmother wanted to try going a few rounds with me, I’d welcome the opportunity. My only real concern was my bad history with celebrations. They almost always ended in disaster, which I attributed to bad luck, and Grimm attributed to me not being able to keep my mouth shut. “We’ll go together. I’ll take care of everything.”
We sat together in silence, because grief didn’t come with words. I thought about my own family and wondered. Would they have called me if someone died? They hadn’t called for anything else, but part of me felt certain that Mom or Dad would have called if something awful had happened.
Later I went to my bedroom to make a call. “Grimm, did you know?”
“I heard, Marissa. Please convey my sorrow to her.” He didn’t bother coming into view, which meant he was doing a thousand other things at once.
“I’m taking her to the funeral ball on Friday in Kingdom.” I wasn’t asking if it was okay.
“Of course. Would you like Evangeline to come along? Your track record at parties leaves something to be desired.”
I thought about the second, and last, time Grimm threw a birthday party for me. I got to find out what a radiation decontamination procedure felt like. The best gifts may be experiences, but that one was definitely not the best present ever. “That would be great. When do I get to come back to work?”
Grimm snapped into view, his face pale and hair disheveled. “Princess Arianna is my responsibility now, and therefore yours. Take care of her, and I promise I will have you back to work as soon as possible.” He sounded more tired than ever.
“You find the Seal?”
“We are looking everywhere.” Grimm’s chin was set, and the look on his face was nearly a scowl. If I didn’t know better, I’d have said the most powerful magic wielder in the city was powerless.
Twenty-Three
EVANGELINE SHOWED UP early on Friday, knocked on my door, and marched right past me to squeeze Ari until I thought she would choke her. She stood a foot taller than Ari, but they managed it. Evangeline put her hands on Ari’s shoulders like she was a child. “I brought a dress for you.” Evangeline nodded toward me. “And I’ll keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn’t ruin things.”
Ari’s voice was hoarse. “Thank you.”
We dressed, and I understood why Evangeline had brought a new dress for Ari. Almost all of her outfits looked fit for a rave rather than a funeral, but not this one. It was magnificent. Forget sweeping trains and all that; they aren’t comfortable or easy to move in. This was sheer and black with a liquid shine. It looked like someone wove a fabric of tears. Looking at the dress made me sad. On the shoulder it had a golden emblem sewn in thread I think was real gold: her family crest. I preferred black slacks and shirt.
On the way there Evangeline actually drove somewhat somberly, proof in my mind she was set on being nice. When we pulled up outside the ballroom, my nerves about got the best of me. See, I might have mentioned balls didn’t usually work out well with me. The first one ended with police in riot gear. The second one ended with a fire, and the last one, with the hazmat squad having to wash down everyone.
Evangeline let us off at the front steps and waited for the valet while we went on in. She didn’t have an invitation, but then again, she never did. Men had trouble saying no to her when she had her veil on, and they had trouble saying anything when she had it off.
“Lady Arianna,” said the doorman. “I’m delighted to see you.” She gave him a hug, which was completely against ball protocol.
“The Princess Arianna Thromson, and guest,” called the announcer, and a low buzz swept across the ballroom. Kingdom balls were like high school lunchrooms, except alcohol and cleavage were mandatory. They ran on gossip as much as Glitter, and I’m certain Ari was the subject of many tales. Just another reason for me to dislike them.
“Arianna,” said a woman, and I felt a storm rolling in. She was dressed in black, of course, and her hair was red like Ari’s, but that’s where the similarities ended. She was as tall as Evangeline, and her eyes were dark brown, almost black. Her makeup was perfect.
“Gwendolyn.” Ari made no attempt to hide her contempt.
“I will always be Mother to you.”
I gave Ari a squeeze. It wouldn’t do to have a throwdown on the stairs. She relaxed a little. “I’ve come to see Dad.” She shook my hand off and disappeared into the crowd.
“Have we met?” asked the queen, and as she did, I had this feeling. Her voice seemed familiar, her face was alien and repulsive, but I couldn’t quite place her.
I gave her my best smile. “Of course we have. You didn’t think I’d forget, did you?” It wasn’t the answer she was expecting, for sure, and I took the opportunity to go after Ari.
Funeral balls were one of the creepier parts of Kingdom. They’re a holdover from the old days, when people would gather together and bury the dead, but having a coffin at one end of the ballroom inevitably killed the desire to dance near it. Ari stood alone, waiting her turn, and I joined her.
She latched onto my arm like a drowning woman grabbing a rope. “I can’t do this.” Her makeup was sealed with Glitter, but magic didn’t work well against grief. She was starting to streak from the tears.
I took her hand and we approached the coffin. As was traditional, a bin of polished rocks sat beside the coffin, and I took a handful. At one time kings had been buried with diamonds and rubies, but that had two effects: It encouraged grave robbing and it drove up ghoul dental bills. These days they used pretty rocks.
He was older, starting to turn gray. Maybe in his fifties, but he had a regal air about him even in death, and I thought I could see a hint of Ari’s chin. I left a handful of stones and let her stand by the coffin. She took his hand and leaned in to whisper to him.
“I don’t think we had a chance to complete our conversation,” said the queen, who had come up behind me.
I made no attempt to hide the threat in my voice. “Leave her alone. If you put a hand on her, you’ll find out what color the emergency room walls are this week.”
She sneered, staring down at me like a few inches of height made a difference. “I know who you are. You’re the little tart he sends around to do his dirty work.”
Evangeline sauntered up, her every step drawing the attention of each man she passed. “I’m the big bitch he sends around. You look like you bruise easily, Your Highness.”
Ari turned away from the coffin, her face set with determination. “What do you want, Gwendolyn?”
“You will call me Mother. I want you to come home. It’s time to begin your training, under my care.”
“I am not coming back.” Ari crossed her arms and stepped back.
“This discussion is not over,” said the queen, and she reached out to grab Ari’s hand. Several things happened at once. Evangeline swung at the queen’s hand, a simple downward smack with her palm. Evangeline was fast. The queen was faster, pulling her hand back before Evangeline could touch her, and backhanding me.
The blow wasn’t hard. It caught me off guard and off balance. I fell backwards, my hand caught the rope and pulled the entire vase of stones over on me. I’m telling you, at balls it’s like I’m cursed. The good news was no one was staring at Ari or Evangeline. They all stared at me as I clambered to my feet and walked away. Warm blood trickled down my lip where the queen had struck me.