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Chapter 25

“No! You can’t think of wearing that!”

“Why not? I always thought blue was my color.”

“Dark blue. Navy, cerulean. What are you doing bringing robin’s egg out?”

“You don’t like it?”

“I abhor it!”

Gwen leaned against the wall, listening in. Rosamund and Indearie were in Rosamund’a room. No doubt trying on clothes, and having a wonderful time. While she was outside, trying to buck up the courage to just knock on a door.

This was ridiculous. She’d talk with them tomorrow. She turned around.

Millie knocked on the door. “Tea!” she called out. “I have tea!”

Indearie opened the door, dressed in a maroon cloak with an orange hat on. She smiled. “Millie, how many times have I told you that you don’t need to…”

She trailed off, looking past the maid. “Gwen? What are you doing here?”

Gwen shot an angry glare at Millie. The maid ignored it, handing the serving dish to Indearie.

“I, I…” Gwen said. Great responses. “I was just in the neighborhood, and thought I’d drop by.”

“Perfect!” Indearie exclaimed. She set down the three tea cups, and grabbed Gwen, pushing her into the room. “Thanks, Millie!”

“My pleasure dears.” Gwen caught a knowing smile flash across the maid’s face before the door closed behind her.

Indearie led Gwen to the closets. “We have been up all this time trying to find the perfect ‘Duke Everwynn’s back party’ dresses.”

“There’s a party?” Gwen asked.

“Well, he may not know it,” Rosamund said. She walked out of the walk-in closet. Dressed in an emerald gown, complete with a set of ruby earrings and necklace. She looked to Gwen, and nodded. “But that may simply make it the more successful.”

“EXACTLY!” Indearie said. “But we don’t know if it should be color-coordinated, or simply set in a certain style. What do you think?”

“I think that’s the dumb…I mean,” Gwen backpedaled. “I think we’d want something simpler, right? Because the duke always seems to prefer something more laid back and refined rather than flashy?”

Rosamund and Indearie stared at her. She coughed, and reached for a tea cup. Yup, horrendous idea.

“Indearie…” Rosamund began. “Do you think it’s possible for us to move the piano out towards the south lawn?”

“How fast would we want it there?” Indearie asked.

“By midafternoon.”

“I’ll set it up.”

“Wonderful,” Rosamund said. She walked over to a piece of paper on the bedside table. “Then we remove the dancing, and the play. Perhaps music, drinks, and a light afternoon celebration?” She crossed out and made notes as she went along.

“And games,” Gwen said quickly. “Lawn bowling and darts?” she had no idea what they were, but always read about rich people playing lawn bowling and darts. Croquet was mentioned a lot, too, but she never liked the idea of a mallet you couldn’t attack people with.

“Definitely games.” Rosamund looked up at Gwen, and frowned. “As for you…”

She reached into the closet, and pulled out a red dress. “Try this on. Let’s see what your color palette is.”

Gwen smiled, and walked into the closet.

“What are the boys wearing?” she asked.

“Good question,” Indearie asked. “What are we making the boys wear?”

“I’m thinking suit jackets,” Rosamund said. “With lapels.”

“No!” Indearie said. “Full tuxedoes!”

“With thirty buttons!” Gwen shouted.

“And bowties!”

They laughed into the night, and kept looking through clothes.

Tomorrow was going to be a spectacle.

Gwen hoped it would only get better.

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Dead by the Book

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I didn't ask for a destiny.

Especially one that says that I'm supposed to destroy every god in existence.

It made the name William Creed a curse. Made me turn tail and run from the only home I knew. Left my friend, my favorite ghost, and hoped that the gods would just forget about me.

But now I'm back. Chasing the one good paycheck I've seen in years. Chasing some kid who's in way over his head, searching for a book that could break reality.

I'll have to take on dragons, the undead, a whole cosmos of deities, and my own mother.

Welcome to God Street. Where miracles become realities.

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