Page 136 of A Sunwoven Ascent

Oh, thank heavens.

Kaldrek still hadn’t released Ivan’s hand. The man was beginning to dip at the knees, his composure slipping as pain took hold, while Holden stood beside them with an almost amused expression as he watched him squirm.

“In fact,” Kaldrek added, his voice low and dangerous, “you will correct the story you so carefully spread about her and Mr. Stonebridge.” He faked a smile. “And then I will decide what to do with you.”

Holden gave Kaldrek’s shoulder a light pat just as Lady Celeste approached. Kaldrek released Ivan at last, straightening his waistcoat as though nothing had occurred. Ivan snatched his hand back, flexing his fingers, his expression tightening as he struggled to regain composure.

“Enjoy your evening, Lord Baddick,” Kaldrek said.

“It’s Bavrick,” Ivan hissed.

Kaldrek smiled faintly. “Is it?”

Before Ivan could respond, Kaldrek slipped his arm around Evelyne and guided them away, steering them toward the far side of the ballroom as Lady Celeste reached Ivan. Evelyne had no doubt her mother would resolve the situation swiftly—especially if she summoned their guard, Marcel.

Evelyne’s heart was still racing. Her pulse thudded in her ears as they moved, her thoughts scrambling to catch up with what had just happened.

How many people had seen that?

She led them toward a smaller table set with desserts at the back of the room, hoping for a moment of distance. Aurelia joined them almost immediately.

“Well,” she said lightly, “I do believe Heidara and I did our very best to distract as many of the gentlemen as possible while you all handled whatever that was with Lord Ivan.”

Her tone grew kind as she reached for Evelyne’s hands.

“Are you all right? I cannot believe he was allowed inside.”

“I’m fine,” Evelyne said.

She wasn’t. Not even close.

But at least Kaldrek hadn’t killed him.

Yet.

“Oh, thank goodness,” Aurelia said, recovering quickly. “Well then—smiles all around. If you occupy yourself with desserts, you won’t be expected to speak nearly as much.”

She gave Evelyne a wink before turning and drifting back into the crowd, effortlessly reclaiming attention as she went.

She truly was the perfect distraction. So much so that Holden didn’t move. He simply stood there, watching her walk away as though the rest of the room had ceased to exist.

Evelyne snapped her fingers in front of him. “Lord Holden, are you still with us?”

Holden groaned, dragging a hand down his face.

“I need wine,” he muttered. “Now.”

***

To Evelyne’s surprise, the remainder of the evening passed without incident—aside from Callista Evermere setting her sights on Heidara. She descended on her with relentless curiosity, picking apart every detail of her attire. Where she sourced her fabrics in Centaro, how she had learned to dance, what pastimes she enjoyed—Callista clung to her like a parasite, all smiles edged with poison.

What frustrated her most was that none of it worked.

Heidara remained untouched by it all. She smiled, curtsied, sipped her wine, and laughed easily with any gentleman bold enough to approach. Evelyne suspected Alaric’s constant presence gave her the most comfort… or perhaps it was simply the knowledge that she could end any one of them in seconds if she wished.

Evelyne could not help but admire her. Heidara played the part of a noble lady flawlessly, all to help secure a future for Evelyne and Kaldrek. She looked beautiful, truly, but Evelyne knew this was not where she belonged. Beneath the poise, her friend was likely counting the moments until she could rip off her corset and be free of it all. Heidara would spend the night at Alaric’s family manor, her first away from the pack, and though she appeared at ease, Evelyne suspected she and Alaric were both eager for a moment alone. Perhaps that was all she needed to fully relax.

As the guests began to thin, Evelyne realized the evening had been a success. Even her mother had allowed herself a few smiles when their eyes met. Cillian had already retired, which was no surprise, since he had never cared for prolonged social gatherings. He was likely already in his bath, preparing for bed. Evelyne’s own feet ached from hours of standing and dancing. The thought of removing her shoes and sinking into a bath was nearly overwhelming. Kaldrek told her he intended to walk the estate’s perimeter before checking on his pack. He would return in the morning, though she knew being away from them for too long unsettled him. She barely had the energy to bid him goodnight, but she asked him to check on Oathroot as well. She could not shake her anxiety over leaving them out there alone. It was the only way she would find any rest.