Page 69 of Librarian

“You don’t have to force it,” Eddy reminds me, helping me step into the fabric. “Or even take him back.”

I clutch the dress to my breasts, and she laces it up behind me.

It’s good that she can’t read my expression, because I’m pretty sure it doesn’t reflect the same resoluteness I force into my voice as I reply, “I’m not planning to.”

“Okay.” Her agreement comes too easily. “Fuck him. Good riddance. You’ve got five better boyfriends anyway, right?”

Tiny leaden weights drop through my stomach with each supportive word. “…Right.”

I just need to grieve what could’ve been and move on. Not seeing him every day is a good thing. Honestly, what was I thinking, allowing him to even think he had a chance at repairing what he broke?

It’s never coming back. It was all toxic anyway. I’m better off without his brand of love.

Eddy finishes yanking me into the dress, then walks around me to inspect her work. She stops, eyes widening as she takes in my face and wordlessly drags me into a hug.

“I’ll kill him,” she says.

My hoarse chuckle just makes her hug me tighter. “Maybe later. Killing off our allies while arcandom is falling into civil war is ill advised.”

It’s also another good reason why I should turn my mind from all things Leo. I don’t need more heartbreak distracting me.

When Eddy finally releases me, I look down at the dress and smooth my palms across the fabric. It’s got alternating panels of black lace and heather-grey tartan, all flowing neatly down into a ruffle skirt that barely makes it to mid-thigh.

“This is short,” I comment, checking the length in the mirror.

Should I adjust it? My fingers twitch.

“It’s Valentine’s,” she dismisses. “The point is to get laid.”

A light chuckle comes from the other side of the room.

“I can help with that.”

I whirl, grinning when I see Dakari leaning against the doorframe.

“You look stunning, baby girl.”

I cross to him with open arms and an easy smile. “You’re here.”

He’s been coming and going more than the others, and it sets my teeth on edge even as I understand the necessity of it. Talcott is one of the largest houses, and while Abe left things in good order, it’s a large burden to shoulder.

He nods. “Finally got my family to stop arguing long enough to get shit done, but then there’s the mess that Benny left of enforcement.”

I expected as much. “If they remain in disarray, they’re not going to be much help.”

“At least they can’t get in the way,” he says. “I’ve exiled every Talcott that Benny had evidence against, but enforcement is splitting in two, taking sides and screaming at each other.”

“You’re both talking about work again,” Eddy protests, handing me a pair of heeled boots that are taller than anything I’ve ever worn. “This is a party, not a war meeting. Shoo. Go have fun. I’ll meet you there when I’ve done my face.”

Dakari offers me his arm to lean on while I zip up the boots and pin her with an exasperated look. I have no doubt that rushing us out the door is a ruse so she can sneak out and find Lydia before the dance.

Sighing, I let her get away with it this time and allow Dakari to lead me from her room, only to pause when we pass mine. In Eddy’s haste to get rid of me, I’ve neglected my own makeup.

“One second, I just want to?—”

I twist the handle and step back in surprise.

Red and pink streamers fall from above the door. There must be hundreds of roses. Vases are everywhere, crammed onto every surface, and velvety red blooms overflow from all of them. Magic, some are even floating in mid-air.