Page 20 of Until the End of Ever (To the Cruel Gods #2)

“Kleos, dear. You have flour on your nose, your hair, and your tits. Not something a gentleman should mention, but you pushed me, so here we are.”

I glanced down. “Oh. I suppose I should brush off.”

“Off you go!”

Right off of the kitchen, the dining hall was already almost full.

Conscious of the flour everywhere—including my tits—I might have felt awkward if the Regis House allowed it, but I was fairly certain there was a spell against awkwardness in place.

The hall where they were all gathered would have felt grand and austere if it hadn’t been for the many games, and jokes, and glasses of wine.

It was a lot. A lot of noise, a lot of laughter, a lot of people, and a hell of a lot of food, but literally no one seemed to care about the fact that I’d walked in lightly covered in flour.

I was surprised to note some of the casual attire; a week in Lucian’s company had convinced me that these people never wore anything worth less than a small vehicle.

A glass of wine was thrust into my hand, and complete strangers were asking about my day as I progressed through the throng, aiming for the hostess.

Everyone was just too bloody nice, in fact—to a point where I had to wonder if it was suspicious. That was, until an older woman in black and red stopped me.

“Is the flour on your hair what passes for fashionable these days?” a little old lady asked, tilting her head. “I never can keep up with the trends.”

“Oh, no. I was?—”

“Here you are, darling!” Cassiopea spotted me, and came to the rescue. “I do hope Andrea isn’t bothering you. My mother-in-law can be cantankerous.”

The older woman straightened her spine. “Cantankerous my left ass cheek! I just asked the bint if the flour was a statement. I’ve certainly seen you wear stupider things.”

“And on that note, begone, hag,” Cassiopea said, her smile remaining warm, and her eyes, filled with amusement. I’d seen her pissed earlier today. This wasn’t it. “Go bother your son. Or mine, if you’d like.”

“Never mind them . Where’s that dragon of yours, hey? I want to give him a hug. Did you actually say they wanted to eat him over the phone?” she added, frowning.

Moments ago, I would have guessed the two women despised each other, but currently Andrea was teary, and Cassiopea took her hands.

“Upstairs, with Lucky and some of the kids. I wanted to let them get to know each other, but I’ll call them down to dinner soon.

None of your teasing with him, understood? The rest of us can take it.”

Andrea pouted. “I tease everyone. Reach my great age, and you may earn that privilege.”

“You’re seven years younger than me, darling,” Cassiopeia pointed out with a sigh.

Oh .

That was going to mess with my brain.

Andrea swatted Cassiopea’s arm. Twice. “Not all of us have the blood of a bloody god directly inserted into us from conception. And mentioning age is unkind . Just for that, you owe me a youth potion.”

Cassiopea rolled her eyes. “You know we stock them for you. You can take as many as you’d like.”

“They don’t agree with my stomach.” She harumphed. “I’ll take the wrinkles over bad winds. Besides, they do nothing for my knees or back. And what excuse would I have to be cantankerous if I didn’t look the part?”

I grinned at the two women, finally understanding. The grandma wasn’t a bully; she was having fun. I wouldn’t have recognized that if it bit me in the butt. None of my family joked with each other. Except maybe Gideon and I.

“Kleos has been slaving away in the kitchen for as long as my husband. I’ve been a dreadful host for long enough, and he’ll be upset if he hears. Go bother someone else.”

“Fine, fine, take her away if you must. And tell my grandson to come find me!”

Cassiopea offered me her elbow, and I took it gratefully. “Let’s get you to a guest bedroom. Ever so sorry; it seems no one had anything to do tonight so everyone said yes to my invitation—and showed up early.”

She didn’t seem to care.

The hostess was stopped many times along the way, but finally dragged me up a flight of white marble stairs, gleaming blue in the strange eerie light that seemed to come from within the ceiling, walls and floor, flowing like water.

“You do look lovely, and tonight is casual, so you may not want to change, but if you’d like to, feel free to help yourself.”

I hesitated, but suspecting Kaelius would be cross if I didn’t mention it, I said, “Your husband told me I should ask you to lend me something from your hundredth anniversary? You don’t have to,” I quickly added. “He just said?—”

Cassiopea grinned. “He likes you, then. Good. Please, dress however you’d like. This is a guest room, so there should be a little of everything in the wardrobe.”

Then she was gone.

I didn’t see a reason to get changed—other than a lot of pacing in the Guard and then baking, I hadn’t done much today, and as Cassiopea herself had said, tonight seemed a casual affair.

Heading to the bathroom, I brushed off the flour, opting to change my top after all: it was black, and unsalvageable without soap.

I was standing in front of the open wardrobe in my bra when a change in the air, or perhaps a faint whiff of his scent, alerted me of Lucian’s presence.

I turned, fining him leaning on the doorway, that wicked smirk firmly in place as he watched me.

“I’m half naked,” I pointed out, making a point of not crossing my arms over my chest.

He’d seen it all in any case, and I wasn’t going to act like a shy little ingenue.

“A quarter, at most,” Lucian retorted with an amused chuckle.

I rolled my eyes, redirecting my attention to the wardrobe. It was a family habit to store clothing for guests, apparently.

“Does your family host this kind of party often?” I asked, looking through the many silks and cashmere and grand gowns for something I could pair with my black jeans.

“Party?” he repeated, his steps approaching. “It’s not a party unless a thousand invitations are sent and we open up the ballroom. This is just a casual dinner.”

I shook my head. “And that explains everything there is to know about you.”

“Are you telling me there aren’t constant entertainments in the house of the great Magister Valesco and his White Witch?”

I snorted. “You don’t know my parents. They rent restaurants and entertain outside the house.”

“I don’t think we’ve ever rented—well, anything.”

Again, he was being so much himself I could only laugh.

Lucian was right next to me, his back on the wall. I only then noticed he was holding a large flat box, closed, handing it to me. “Pick something dark to show off the diamonds.”

“More diamonds ?” I squealed, watching the box in his hands suspiciously.

It was quite simply too large. I didn’t trust it one bit.

“You won over my father. Believe it or not, he’s the hard nut to crack in the family. He doesn’t really accept bribes or flattery. For him to like you, you have to show who you are.” He opened the lid.

I didn’t faint. That’s all there was to say about my reaction. The undignified squeal coming out of me, followed by a high-pitched, “I can’t wear that!” were downright hysterical.

Inside the box, there was a strange, unique piece of jewelry, or perhaps armor, if it wasn’t considered regalia.

I didn’t know how to define what I saw. Metal, but as soft and malleable as silk, braided in large squares, the piece formed a cape of sorts.

At each intersection, a bright diamond gleamed.

I wanted to study it. Worship it. Stare at it for hours. I could not wear it. Certainly not at a casual affair.

“It forms a constellation?” I guessed.

He grinned. “Cassiopea. Father made it. He’s not one for jewelry much, but he wanted her to feel comfortable putting on some plain, regular clothing, from time to time. Mother always feels like she has to put on the show, remind the world who she is.”

A feeling she had instilled in her son.

“With this, she could go out in yoga pants.”

“No one would wear a literal constellation of bloody diamonds with yoga pants.”

“Shows what you know.” Lucian pulled out a simple, dark blue long-sleeved blouse, which, under the cape, would make it seem like the night sky against stars. “This will do nicely.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. This is a casual evening . I saw other people in jeans!”

He shrugged. “We Regises don’t really do casual. Or when we do, we elevate it.”

Lucian was still in his duster, with his fancy leather fighting gear underneath—though he’d brushed off all the dirt from the dragon hunt. He looked like a prince on his way to rejoin the head of his army.

“Well, I’m not a Regis,” I reminded him.

“Yet.” That wicked smile made me shiver, as he leaned in and whispered, “But if you keep pushing your luck, you certainly are at risk of getting kidnapped by dark wizards.”

I huffed, throwing the navy blouse on. “You say that.”

“And somehow, you think I’m joking. Hands up.”

Feeling like a ten-year-old, I complied, letting him slide the top on me.

On the mirror inside the wardrobe’s door, I could actually see that the overall effect wasn’t as terribly excessive as I’d feared.

The diamond did a strange thing, twinkling in the light in a way that made me want to smile. But it didn’t look like an eye-wateringly expensive piece that belonged in a museum. The overall effect was just… nice .

It should have been criminal, really. I knew I was wearing at least my annual salary. It shouldn’t feel like something I could throw on with bloody yoga pants .

“You love it,” Lucian noted, looking at my reflection in the mirror.

My expression made that plain.

“No wonder you hate Geraldine’s necklace.”

I winced. “I don’t hate it. It’s just…a lot. And old-fashioned. And a little girlish? I can think of better things to do with that many bloody diamonds.”

Like a constellation cape. Damn, I wanted my own. I wondered if Kaelius would be pissed if I stole the design. Maybe I could do it with sea glass.

“In all seriousness, you ought to tread carefully, Valesco. I wasn’t forthcoming as to the reasons why you’re safer in the manor.

It’s your business, and we’re not shouting from the rooftop that we’re looking for solutions.

So my family has made their own assumptions.

” Lucian lifted one finger. “You won over Mother when you said fuck you to the council and hunted her down to help with Elias. And she’s desperate for grandchildren.

On top of that, Father wants you in his diamonds.

Enough said.” The middle finger joined the other two.

“And my grandfather would sell his soul to ensure you keep baking him treats. You can expect them all to demand I promptly abduct you.”

I rolled my eyes. “At least your grandmother doesn’t like me.”

“She has arthritis, knee issues, and a bad back. She doesn’t like anyone.” He snorted. “Except Mother, perhaps. I’m supposed to go get the brats for dinner. See you downstairs. Do attempt not to twine another unsuspecting Regis around your little finger in my absence.”

If he was being ridiculous, so would I. “Not promising anything.”

Nevertheless, he was right. I’d never felt as welcomed by anyone outside of my own family. Scratch that: anyone at all. Something told me these people opened their arms to anyone crossing their doorsteps.