Page 170 of To Scale the Emerald Mountain

The deep magic living within my chest seems to purr and grow brighter, soft tendrils of light reaching towards him. I inhale deep, taking in his heady masculine scent and a shiver runs up my spine with the overwhelming intoxication of it, making my mouth water.

Alec’s gaze doesn’t break when he speaks directly into my mind for the first time.I am yours, Ellya.

My cheeks blush with his hidden meaning, reminding me that what we are and what we have will be so much more.

All I have to do is reach out and take it.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

ELLYA

Cescily crafts an elaborate half updo in my lilac hair, curling pieces to frame my face.

I wince as she works. Her fingers are not nearly as gentle as Nana’s, or Makhoi’s, but her talent is undeniable. I sit in my vanity chair facing my mirror, watching her masterpiece unfold as she prattles away happily. “I am so happy you are joining us for dinner.” Another tug as Cescily brushes a strand of locks before twirling them around a heated rod. Her short hair took mere seconds for her to brush out and run some sweet-smelling pomade through.

Cescily’s dress hangs on the washroom door next to mine; a form fitting black number with silk panels under the arms, painted like a monarch butterfly’s wings when she raises her arms over her head. I assume our dresses were made by the same tailor.

“Garrick and his family won’t be joining, Anahleise has been showing signs of labor,” Cescily tells me.

“Maybe the baby and I will share a birthday,” I say, wincing as she roughly runs the brush through the bottom layers of my tresses that wave above my shoulder blades.

“That’s exactly what I’m hoping for!” She taps the brush against my shoulder. I wince again. “Two Samhain babies in the family? How perfect would that be.”

“Yes, Cessy. Prefect,” I grumble as I stand.

She tries to push me back down in the seat, but I resist. “I’m not finished, Elly!”

I laugh and swat her away. “Well, I certainly am.”

Cescily retrieves my dress and removes it from the hanger. “The costume train is removable. There are buttons hidden under the silks to take it off.” She shows me the row of large buttons hidden under the faux feathers before holding the dress out for me to step into. After she’s secured the long line of buttons down my back, I slide on my black flats and pick up my silk mask while Cescily dresses.

“Why couldn’t mine just slip over the head like yours?” I ask her.

Cescily responds with a lilting laugh before telling me, “Please, you should know by now that anything Alec has for you will be grand and over the top.”

Putting the mask to my face, I secure the ties at the back of my head. I turn to the full-length mirror and check myself from every angle. Turning back to Cescily, I wear a wide grin. “It is grand, isn’t it?”

I tune in to Alec’s presence entering the room before he speaks. “Only because it is you who is wearing it,” the deep, silky voice calls from the door.

Turning quickly, I find him leaning against the frame, his hands dug deep in the pockets of his pants.

Alec is wearing a finely tailored black suit that hugs his muscles in the most delicious places. As striking as he is in the suit, the true nature of his Samhain costume is what made me gasp. Heisn’t wearing a mask like me and Cescily—instead his entire face and neck are painted black and white to resemble a skull, a vibrant shadow of death. His hair is slicked back and painted silver with long streaks of gold.

Cescily claps her hands excitedly. “Oh, I love it!”

“It is the same as it is every year, Cessy.” Alec removes his hands from his pockets and strolls towards me.

“You look…” I begin, but my words taper off. I finish by swallowing hard instead.

Alec chuckles before adding helpfully, “Dashing? Ravishing?”

“Both.”

He scans me head to toe before snaking an arm around my waist, pulling me close. “There are no words to accurately describe you, Ellya. You are perfection.”

Alec runs the tip of his nose down my neck, and Cescily groans. “Can you not while I’m here?”

“If you do not want to see me show affection to my mate, do not be here,” he says against my skin, but I push him away.