Page 127 of A Whisper of Cinders

How could I forget about that? I nearly ripped all the clothes off my body and almost did the same with Aramis. The thought alone still sends a pulsing beat through my core.

I manage to nod.

“Well, during the ceremony, the emotions you feel are more intense, strengthened by the moon’s essence. Your powers are stronger too, it is a night that empowers us all.”

“So basically, it’s a horny night with fae high on power and sex?”

They all laugh and I join them as I start digging into my food.

“Something like that, yes,” Ami responds with a wink. “It might be a good idea to pick out a nice outfit, something you can dance in.”

My smile falters and it’s suddenly hard to swallow down the food in my mouth.

“Mai?”

I look up, the girls all noticing my change in mood. “It’s nothing really…”

“You can tell us.”

“Yes, we are your friends, okay?” Neo adds and my heart swells with the love I feel from them.

“I have never been to a party before…” I push around the food on my plate, taking forever to pick up a piece of cucumber. “I don’t really know what to wear.”

Neoma lets out a high shriek, making some of the fae at other tables turn their heads towards us. “You do know what this means, right?”

“Uh…”

“Scratch all your afternoon plans, we’re going to search for an outfit for you.”

I look at the girls, one by one. “All of you?”

“Of course,” Ami confirms. “It will be fun and we love to help you. You have two hearts to steal, you know.”

I throw a grape at her head — which she of course catches — and quickly look around to see if they are not around. But I know they’re not, I would’ve felt it somehow.

Their presence is like a second and third heartbeat next to mine. It’s faint and only there when they are near.

We finish our lunches and head into my bedroom.

“It’s strange.” Neoma notes as she makes a turn where she stands.

“What is?”

“Your room. It doesn't represent you yet.”

Siri walks over to my windowpane where a few plants now stand. “These are definitely new. They are pretty rare too, so are the flowers.” She looks over her shoulder at me. “Where did you get these?”

“I didn’t, they were just there one day,” I explain as I walk to stand next to her. The other two are already opening up my closet and hunting for my perfect outfit.

“How peculiar,” Siri whispers as she hoovers closer over the plants.

“What is?” I step closer, trying to see what she is currently so fascinated about.

“Could you move back for a second?”

I take a couple of steps back, seeing how my bed is already piled full of clothes. Ami and Neo seem to have some sort of discussion about what is appropriate or what is meant to be seen in the bedroom alone.

“You can come back.”