My mother smiled, making her eyes twinkle. “It’s so good to see you, honey.”
“You, too. Both of you. Come on in and see the shop.”
“What about the luggage?” Aunt Martha asked.
The driver had just come around from the trunk with several large bags that he added to the steamer trunk already sitting on the sidewalk.
“Um, I thought you were only coming for the ball. Did you change your mind? Are you staying over?”
Aunt Martha laughed. “No, silly, this is just for tonight.”
“Wow. You two really need some lessons in packing light.”
My mother shrugged. “There is no such thing as packing light when you’re bringing gowns.”
“You should have sent all that through the Santa’s Bag.”
My mother gave me a look that said I wasn’t grasping the gravity of the situation. “That’s fine for toys and reports and care packages, but these are custom-made gowns and the royal jewels. Not to mention the shoes your aunt and I had made in Paris. I’m not letting any of that out of my sight.”
I just smiled and nodded. “I completely understand. Good thing the building has an elevator.”
By six thirty, we were all finally in my apartment and almost ready. I say almost because there seemed to be an endless number of small things that needed doing. Makeup touched up. Shoes buckled tighter. Then looser. Then back to where they started. Tiaras to be adjusted, diamonds to be given one last polish, rings to be added, then subtracted, then, you guessed it, added again.
Of course, it had taken us longer than I’d anticipated to get started because my mom and aunt had spent more time in the store than I’d thought they would. They loved Juniper and probably would have spent all night talking to her if I hadn’t reminded them that she was going to be at the ball as well.
I also got the sense that my mom and aunt were very conscious of the fact that they were representing the Winter Court, as it were. Sure, I was the Winter Princess, but they outranked me. There was no question that they were going to be scrutinized this evening.
They really had nothing to worry about, though.
My mother’s ensemble was a gorgeous, iridescent deep blue gown. The fabric was a fae weave, designed to capture the brilliance and movement of the northern lights. And it did. With every step she took, a multitude of colors danced across her skirts. I’d worn a dress of the same fae fabric in black to the party Elenora had thrown in honor of the Sandman’s visit, but this deep blue was breathtaking.
Mom paired the gown with the Frost tiara, earrings, and necklace, a breath-taking collection of hundreds of carats of diamonds set off by fiery blue opals, the largest of which sat at the center of the necklace and was easily the size of my thumb. She also wore a diamond bracelet that was about an inch wide. A simple silver filigree mask completed the outfit.
She looked every inch the queen she was.
My aunt, on the other hand, had decided to go full-on Mrs. Santa Claus. She knew it was what people would expect, and she wasn’t one to disappoint, especially not at a costume ball. Her red velvet dress was trimmed in white sequins and adorned with a large black patent-leather belt, complete with a bejeweled black rhinestone buckle. To further gild the lily, she’d added her favorite ruby and diamond hair clips, necklace, and bracelet.
The look was perfect on her. A very over-the-top version of her, but just what the ball called for. Together, my mom and aunt looked exactly like what they were: the best part of the Winter Court. Beautiful, regal, magical, and lovely.
Pride overwhelmed me that these amazing women were my family.
But I’ve kind of glossed over what else was in that steamer trunk. My mom and aunt had brought me a gown. I’d been planning on wearing my beautiful ice-blue coronation gown. They, however, had other plans. Secret plans.
They’d had a new dress made for me. And it was spectacular.
Pure white silk covered in a snowflake pattern of beads, pearls, and crystals, the off-the-shoulder gown could have easily gone in a very bridal direction, if not for the body-hugging shape and the strands of additional beads draped down the back and off each shoulder. Those made it more femme fatale than blushing bride.
With the addition of my personal snowflake tiara, the matching snowflake earrings, and a wide diamond bracelet borrowed from my mother’s collection, I was the embodiment of snow.
I added the white bejeweled mask they’d brought me and stood in front of the mirror. I was a little breathless at their gift as my mother clasped the final piece of jewelry, the snowflake necklace, around my neck. The centerpiece diamond was a rare, pale blue cushion-cut stone about the size of a dime. I’d never worn the full snowflake set before. “You guys…I had no idea you were doing this. It’s amazing.”
Aunt Martha clasped her hands in front of her chest. “You look like a winter dream, Jaynie.”
My mother stepped back, smiling and maybe a little bit teary. “You look beautiful. And you deserve it. You’ve been working so hard, and we’re so proud of you.”
“I—”
A knock at the door interrupted me. I stiffened, realizing it had to be Sinclair. Introductions would be next. I smiled nervously, and all my previous concerns came walloping up over me. I took a breath and headed for the door. “I’ll get that.”
“Ooo, that must be your escort for the evening,” my aunt cooed.
“Yes.” What else could I say? After everything they’d done for me, after how they’d proclaimed their love and pride for me, I just hoped they didn’t freak out about the man on the other side of the door.
Wasn’t every day you introduced your mom and aunt to a necromancer, after all.
Sinclair’s costume of snow at midnight made perfect sense now that I saw him in it. Essentially, his suit was a tux that had been designed to go from standard black at the shoulders to pure white from about his waist on down. That color change wasn’t a gradual blend, however, it was done with a pattern of falling snowflakes, and each one had been decorated in small, iridescent crystal. The bottoms of his trouser legs were completely bedazzled as if the snow had piled up there and frozen over. He even had on matching bedazzled shoes. Which I was secretly coveting. His mask was simple black satin and added a hint of roguishness.
The outfit was impressive, not just for its cleverness but because he was bold enough to wear it. I couldn’t imagine Cooper or Greyson in anything so…glittery. But his suit could not have complemented my gown better if he’d tried.
His eyes widened and he took a step back. “You look…wow, I don’t have the vocabulary to do you justice. You look beautiful and ethereal and way too good to be going out with a guy like me.”
I laughed softly and blushed a little. “You look perfect. And very handsome.” And he did. The black and white of his tux was perfectly suited to his silver-streaked hair. And there was something undeniably sexy about a guy who could wear a costume with that much sparkle on it and still look like he could kill you with a glance. The man was the most interesting combination of classy and dangerous. Like James Bond, if 007 could wield death magic.
And while I knew I shouldn’t be comparing Sinclair to Greyson or Cooper, I was a little. At least to Greyson, because there wasn’t as much road to travel between vampire and necromancer as there was between summer elf and necromancer. Plus, Greyson was very much the bad boy. Sinclair, on the other hand, had that going for him too, but in a much more polished, grown-up way. He wasn’t so much a bad boy as he was a dangerous man.
My mother cleared her throat, and I jumped, reminded that I was not alone. “Sinclair, won’t you come in and meet my mom and my aunt?”
I opened the door to let him in, turning to face them as I did. “Mom, Aunt Martha, this is Sinclair Crowe. My date for the evening. Sinclair, this is my mother, Klara Frost, the Winter Queen, and my aunt, Martha Kringle, the Mother of Christmas.”
He bowed. “Lady Frost, Lady Kringle, it’s my honor and privilege to meet you both.”
He straightened, smiling. “It’s not difficult to see where Jayne gets her good looks. You ladies are absolutely stunning.”
Aunt Martha beamed. Outside of dessert and my uncle Kris, there wasn’t much she loved more than a compliment from a charming man, and Sinclair had charm to spare. “That’s very kind of you, Mr. Crowe.”
“Please, call me Sinclair, if that’s not too informal. We’re going to be spending the evening together after all.”
“Sinclair it is, then,” my aunt said. “And you should call us Klara and Martha.”
My mother was a bit more reserved. “What is it you do, Sinclair?”
“I own a doughnut shop.”
“Mom, remember that box I sent last week?” Sinclair had made up a large box especially for me and shrink-wrapped it so that the doughnuts would stay good and fresh. Then I’d sent it through the Santa’s Bag. I considered it hedging my bets, and I was hoping it had worked.
My mom looked at me. “Zombie Donuts?”
“That’s the one.”
“Horrible name.” She smiled. “But fantastic doughnuts. We enjoyed those very much, and now I know why Jayne sent them. Your shop must do well.”
Score one for the princess.
His mouth curved in a humble smile. “It does all right. I’m so glad you enjoyed the doughnuts.”
My mother extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sinclair. And very kind of you to accompany my daughter to the ball this evening. Your costume is a perfect match for Jayne’s.”
He shook her hand. “Thank you.” He glanced at me, his gaze filled with pleasure. He’d hit the nail on the head with his choice in tux, and he knew it. “It’s almost like we were meant to be.”
I smoothed the skirt of my gown as I smiled. Things were going well. “This dress was a complete surprise, too. My mom and aunt Martha had it made for me. But we do look like a pair now, don’t we?”
“We do,” he answered. “And I’m glad you approve of my tux.”
He turned back to my mom and aunt. “If you ladies are ready, there’s a limo waiting for us downstairs. There’s also another box of doughnuts in there. In case anyone forgot to eat dinner.”
Aunt Martha let out a small gasp. “Dinner! We haven’t had a bite since lunch.”
I laughed. “There will be food at the ball, you know. But probably not doughnuts.” I hooked my thumb toward the door. “Let’s go.”
Spider was sleeping in my closet, and Buttercup had promised to come check on him when she closed the shop, so I decided not to disturb him with a kiss goodbye. Also, black cat hair would not be the best accessory for this gown.
Sinclair offered his arm to my aunt, who took it and immediately started asking what flavors he’d brought. They headed for the elevator while my mom stayed with me as I locked the apartment.
“He seems nice,” she said.
“He is. Very nice.”
“But? What aren’t you telling me? It has something to do with the darkness around him, I’m sure of that.”
Snowballs. Why did my mother have to be so perceptive? I made a little half-frown and kept my voice low as I answered. “He’s a necromancer.”
There was no point in hiding the truth, and I’d much rather she heard it from me than someone at the ball.
Her brows lifted a tiny bit, but more like she was mulling the news over as opposed to being surprised by it. “I’ve never met one before, but I’m glad I have now.”
“You’re okay with it?”
“Is there a reason I shouldn’t be?”
I almost sighed in relief. “No. There isn’t.”
“Unless he does something to give me a reason not to like him, I have no issues with you keeping company with Sinclair. And unlike Cooper, who’s already got one black mark against him from your college days, and the vampire, who I can’t speak about at all, at least Mr. Crowe is actually here for you this evening.”
My mouth gaped open. So much for my big secret. “You know about Cooper and Greyson?”
Her smile was a little sly and very knowing. It was a smile I’d seen all my life. “Honey, I’m your mother. And you are heir to the Winter Throne. Do you really think I’m not keeping tabs on you?”
Who in town was providing her with this information? Birdie? I didn’t quite believe that. Birdie wouldn’t have been able to keep quiet about her connection to my mother. “But you never said anything.”
“And tip my hand?” She snorted softly. “Child, please.”
“Well, you must also know that they both have very good reasons for their absence this evening.”
“I do. But you’re my daughter, and you will always be my first concern.”
“You two are going to make us late,” Aunt Martha called out.
Sinclair was holding the elevator. “Ladies, far be it for me to hurry you along, but…Elenora is waiting.”
“Right. Coming.” I tucked my keys into my evening bag and hooked my arm through my mother’s. “Have you told Dad any of this?”
She laughed as we walked toward the elevator. “Have you seen him here? Because if he knew you were dating the boy who broke your heart in college, he’d have issued a royal decree about that one.”
“I’m sure.” We stepped onto the elevator, and Sinclair let the doors close. My father wasn’t known for his subtly when it came to his opinions on things like that.
Once we were in the limo, the subject thankfully changed from my love life to the ball and the doughnuts Sinclair had brought. He explained what each one was, describing the flavors so we could pick the one we thought we’d like the best. There were three of the Dr Preppers. The man had only known me a short while, but he learned fast.
We managed to make it to the ball without getting a smidge of icing on our fancy clothes, something I considered a personal success. Sinclair walked us to the double doors of Elenora’s mansion, and we presented our invitations to one of the two doormen there.
They immediately opened the doors wide and bowed. “Welcome to the Black and Orange Ball.”
The four of us strode in like rock stars and were escorted by one of several hosts to the main ballroom. I tried to brace myself for seeing Lark, but the place was fairly crowded and her DJ booth was up on one of the balconies. I could see her, but she wasn’t looking my way. She was bent over her equipment, holding the earpiece of some headphones to one ear. A guy with deep blue hair and a matching goatee stood beside her, watching her like he was waiting for a command. That had to be Lance, the boyfriend. Not my cup of tea, but good for her. I could only see them from about the rib cage up because of the equipment.
I stopped looking. I couldn’t lie. I was happy that she was a floor away. And even though Cooper had said she liked to walk around in the crowd, I hoped maybe she wouldn’t do that here. Who knew? Maybe Elenora had asked her to stay in her booth. Leave the guests alone. That would be just fine with me.
With that small bit of business behind me, I focused on how beautifully decorated the ballroom was. It had been transformed into a cross between a jewelry showroom and a winter wonderland. Long strands of crystals with large, rhinestone snowflakes at the ends hung from the ceiling. Stark-white trees were swathed in more rhinestone ornaments, crystal strands, and loads of fairy lights, making them sparkle.
Enormous arrangements of white and ivory flowers in tall crystal vases were positioned at various spots around the room, some with more swags of snowflakes between them, making a canopy over some of the entrances.
Strategically placed projectors cast moving snowflakes over everything, and the servers were all dressed in white as well, with white masks. Drifts of fake snow throughout added another convincing wintry touch.
The only other nod to Halloween besides the masks on the servers were the pumpkins that seemed to be everywhere, and they were all painted white then covered in fake snow crystals or bedazzled in patterns of rhinestones. I approved. The place was beautiful.
Judging from the ooo’s and ahh’s, my
mom and aunt thought so too. Most of the people around us were also admiring the decorations. I scanned the crowd for familiar faces and saw quite a few, but where was the hostess? Elenora was nowhere to be found. Maybe putting some finishing touches on something.
I glanced up at the DJ booth again, unable to help myself. Lark’s boyfriend was at the balcony’s edge, staring down at the increasing crowd and bobbing his head to the music. As for that, it wasn’t anything like what I’d expected. It had a gentle, sort of techno-tribal beat, and it wasn’t so loud that you couldn’t talk. I imagined the dancing would come after dinner, and then the party atmosphere would turn up a notch. Right now, the vibe was more cocktail hour than rave. I was good with that. I loved to dance, but my gown wasn’t exactly made for getting one’s groove on.
Sinclair leaned in. “Really something, huh?”
“Yes. Elenora has outdone herself.”
My mother nodded. “The decorations are impeccable.”
The crowd had thickened considerably in the few minutes since we’d arrived. The party was in full swing now, and a new team of servers was mixing in with trays of small bites and glasses of champagne.
Aunt Martha was busy flagging down a server with champagne. “Let’s have a toast,” she said.
We all took a glass, then Aunt Martha raised hers. “To seeing my darling niece again.” Then she looked at Sinclair. “And making new friends. And doughnuts.”
He grinned as he raised his glass. “Hear, hear.”
We all took a sip as the music quickened and the lights dimmed. Lark’s voice filled the space. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the event of the year in Nocturne Falls, the Black and Orange Ball. Please join me in greeting our generous hostess this evening, who is debuting her very own spectacular piece of ice, the inspiration for tonight’s theme, the Heart of Dawn. Here she is now, the gracious Elenora Ellingham.”
A spotlight focused on the top of the stairs. Elenora stood in the center of the beam, smiling. She waved to the crowd as she began to descend. With her regal posture and stiff-armed wave, she would have fit right in at court. Applause went up in great waves, but I had no doubt where all eyes were focused.
Miss Frost Cracks A Caper: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 4) Page 9