here.
She pauses before us and my lungs decide to stop working.
“Lark, Beck.”
“Good evening, Malin,” Beck says. His voice sounds rougher than normal and not at all happy.
I lick my dry lips and swallow to moisten my throat. “Hello, Mother.”
All those hours of practicing, and this is what you say? Really, Lark?
She places her soft palm against the side of my cheek. “Darling girl, there’s no need to be nervous. You’re among friends.”
Beck shifts his weight forward and bumps into me. I teeter on my silly high-heeled booties, but Annalise steadies me.
“It’s a pleasure to see you this evening, Mother.”
“It’s a pleasure to see you too, Lark.” She laughs, a sweet, rolling laugh that fills me with dread. She shouldn’t be laughing at my greeting.
Annalise wraps her arm through mine, as if we have been life-long friends, instead of meeting just moments earlier. “Can we move Lark to our table? I’d love for her to join us.”
Mother’s gaze flicks between Beck and me. “Surely, you’re more comfortable here?”
Table Ten is hidden away from the action of the main room. And despite the slight of not being included at the head table, it feels safe. Still, a part of me wants to sit with Mother. Where Beck and I belong.
From behind me, I hear Beck say, “It would be an honor to sit with you, Malin.”
Annalise gasps softly and her arm tightens around me. Her presence is like a lead weight pressing down on me, holding me in place.
After a moment of silence, Mother bats her large blue eyes and smiles. “Of course.” She touches her wristlet. “Carter, have two more settings added to my table.”
“Mother,” I say with a shaking voice. “We’re happy here. No need to change things for us.” I don’t want her to think I’m fussy. Or difficult.
“Come now, Love. Don’t be silly,” Mother says, linking her arm through my free one so that I’m sandwiched between her and Annalise. “You too, Beck.”
Beck looks first to me and then Mother. “Yes, of course,” he says too brightly.
Annalise and Mother exchange knowing glances.
I should be excited, but all I feel is worry.
#
Every so often, my legs shake. I’d like to say it’s from standing in my shoes, but the truth is, it’s probably nerves. Standing in the receiving line, next to Mother, isn’t exactly what I planned on doing–I never practiced for it.
I peer through the crowd at Beck sitting alone at the main table. He opted out of the line, but I wasn’t given the option. Mother simply informed me I would be joining my family and Annalise’s at the greeting. And once Mother commands something, that’s the way it is.
When he sees me staring, Beck flashes a smile in my direction. My internal jitters slow down a bit, but I really wish he were next to me instead of across the room.
More guests move past us, leaving small gifts on the table before Annalise. And more people clasp my hand and tell Mother how glad they are to see me here, in the family line, where I belong. Their words, meant to compliment, somehow have the opposite effect and I feel like even more of a fraud.
I fidget with my handbag. The gift from Beck and me is tucked inside. But after seeing the pile of impressively wrapped presents, I’m not entirely sure I want to give it to my brother and his new mate. After all, who really needs potholders when you have servants to cook for you?
Every so often, Mother leans into Annalise and whispers something I can’t hear. I’m wedged between Mother and Callum, and he’s constantly looking over my head at the two of them. Like our mother, he’s blond and tall. But he has none of her charisma. He’s hard, cruel, and smug.
And from the scowl on his face and the dirty looks he keeps giving me, he isn’t happy about my placement in the line.
“I’m impressed, Lark,” my brother says. “You left your lap dog behind. Perhaps you’re finally coming to your senses.”
I swivel my head to get a better look at my brother. His lips curl back, exposing his gleaming teeth.
“What?”
“Oh come now. You’re nearly sixteen, surely you’ve–”
“Callum! That’s enough.” Mother snaps and the line of well-wishers grinds to a silent halt. “You will not berate your sister.” Her eyes flash with agitation. “And you will treat her birth-mate with respect.”
The bright lights and too curious stares eat away at whatever shreds of confidence I have left. I want to