Excerpt
Chapter One
The rain drummed against the glass pyramid above their heads in the Musée de Louvre, matching the endless chatter of the guests at the wedding reception. Moriganne sipped her champagne and tried to keep her heart rate from soaring while Andromeda went on about the Delacroix painting in the Denon Wing.
"Are you even listening?"
"Huh? Yeah, I mean no, sorry," said Moriganne, hugging her arm to her chest. The bridge had been aching all day.
Andromeda stood by her side in a matching lavender bridesmaid dress, not a tattoo or modification in sight, hair dyed black and twisted into bouncy curls. Her sister looked out over the crowd of tuxedos and expensive dresses.
"What gives? It's not like it's your first party."
Moriganne rubbed her elbow. "Lost in thought, I guess."
"Montanhas?"
"I can't seem to escape it," said Moriganne.
"It's only been five months," said Andromeda. "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. Besides, you're doing better than Ivan."
As if on cue, they heard his too-loud laughter near the bar. Tuxedo shirt half untucked and eyes smudged, he was swaying dangerously near the fountain. The other guests avoided him as if he were contagious.
"I don't know if he'll ever be okay," said Moriganne softly.
"I wish I'd been there with you," said Andromeda.
"No you don't," Moriganne said harshly, then hearing the tone of her voice, she said, "I'm sorry. I wish I hadn't been there."
Kitty appeared suddenly at her side. The lavender dress hung loosely on her thin frame, and her short-cropped hair had been artfully spiked. There was something different, more dangerous, about her since the events in Montanhas. Moriganne couldn't place it, but she felt unexpectedly nervous around her younger sister and not because she thought she was spying on her.
"I can't believe Monique married that douche bonnet, Magnus Dreadmarsh. If there's a more disgusting old money family, I don't know what it is," said Kitty, holding a glass of champagne that hadn't been touched. "If Ivan were here he'd say that their old granddad buttfucked a demon or something."
"I have heard that," said Andromeda, smirking.
The newly married couple was touring the reception, arm in arm. Their mother looked resplendent in a pearl white gown with a train that would have made a peacock jealous. Magnus had peppered gray hair that looked like it had been styled by the gods. He was handsome and fit.
"Who are they talking to?" asked Moriganne.
Kitty tilted her head. "That's the princess of Sweden. You met her a few years ago. I think I recall you saying you'd like to punch her in the balls."
"Yeah," said Moriganne, trying to ignore the ache in her elbow. The tattoo at least wasn't visible beneath the concealing enchantment, but she felt like it didn't like being hidden and was punishing her for it.
"Has anyone figured out when they even met?" asked Andromeda.
"Who cares?" said Kitty. "It's old money marrying old money. At least Vic seems to be taking it well."
The old man was telling a story to an engaged group that hung on his every word. His circle included Ares, who was never far from their father's side these days.
"He'd never let you see if he wasn't," said Moriganne, hating the bitterness in her own voice.
"Well, if it isn't Monique's three beautiful daughters," said an older man with a strong resemblance to their new stepfather.
"Leonidas," said Kitty, offering a handshake, which brought a raised eyebrow as it looked like he was about to lean in for a hug.
"Please, call me Leo," he said, smiling magnanimously at them.
When it was Moriganne's turn to shake his hand, a sharp stab hit her elbow. His eyes creased briefly but his smile never faltered.
