Familiar with the Warlock - Viola Grace Page 0,14
will be on our way.”
Maven looked at him and noted that the chiffon she was wearing had stuck to her skin. “I look like I just washed onshore.”
Argo spluttered into his teacup.
Olmin stood her up in front of him and rubbed his chin. His wolfy aspect reminded her of why he hadn’t been facing her during the last little tease episode.
He took her hand and narrowed his eyes, he whispered softly, and she couldn’t quite make the words out, but the light, fluttering clothing was replaced with heavily beaded fabric, a black corset covered with trees and leaves, her boots crept up her thighs, and the skirt was made with two panels of heavy silk held in place with an overskirt of beadwork that fell to mid-calf. Her new cloak was red silk with heavy embroidery as trim.
She looked down. “Um, this is rather fancy.”
He grinned. “Good, this is a fancy event, and we want you comfortable.”
He got to his feet, and his work shirt and trousers turned into a coat and tails. His were all black, Argo’s shirt was white, and each of them had a beaded rose in their lapel.
She looked from one of them to the other as red ties took shape to complete the look.
Olmin smiled. “Argo, you have the tickets?”
Argo reached into his pocket and fanned out three tickets.
“Excellent. Then, I believe it is time to go to the ball.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her.
Argo snapped his fingers, and a basket appeared. “You have to complete the outfit.”
She looked into the black and glossy basket. She pulled the dark gingham to one side and blushed at the collection of cuffs, toys, and objects she couldn’t identify. “I am not sure that I want to be carrying this around all night.”
Argo leaned in. “You won’t need to hang onto that all night. I am sure we can find somewhere to put it.”
She exhaled in a gust. “Right. I still have work in the morning.”
They both paused, and then, they spent the ride to the ball trying to convince her to call in sick the following morning.
“No. I am not parting with my sick time.” She crossed her arms and crossed her legs. When Argo gave her a narrow-eyed look and reached for a water bottle, she shrieked and lunged at him to get it out of his hands. Hydration had never felt more inappropriate.
By the time they were at the event, Olmin had to press a kiss to her forehead to extend her mask down so that she wouldn’t be identified. The magic crept over her skin, and even makeup was evident as her lips felt slick. She touched her lip, and the crimson was apparent on her fingertip.
“Wow, you really went all out.”
Olmin grinned. “It will help us be on our best behaviour.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Let’s see how that works out.”
Argo smoothed a hand over her back as he preceded them and handed over their invitations. Their costumes were assessed, and the host nodded. “Please, enjoy yourselves.”
He turned to Olmin. “There is a private party at table sixteen who wishes a private word.”
Olmin raised his wolf brows and then nodded. “Thank you.”
Argo took her inside and steered her to the bar. He ordered a cherry cola for her and handed it over with a lot of ceremony.
Maven smiled. “Thank you.” She fished out the cherry, dangled it into her mouth, and after a few seconds, she took out the knotted stem with a smirk. Argo looked like he was going to break into a sweat or grab her and haul her off.
She asked him if he was going to have something to drink before a sly expression overtook him. After he had ordered, she grabbed the front of his suit. “Let me get seated, or I will beat you to death with the ball-gag in my basket.”
He was laughing his ass off as they walked through the party and walked near table sixteen. Olmin was sitting and talking earnestly to a man who wasn’t a man to Maven’s vision. She blinked and stared, but there were two people in the space occupied by the one body. Weird.
The woman sitting next to them was listening with a rueful smile on her face, and to Maven’s astonishment, she knew her. It was Krys from work, which meant that the man next to her must be the CEO in a demon mask. Krys was dressed as an angel with a gauzy dress