His Word...Discovery ~ Book One in the Trusted Saga ~ (excerpt)

Title : His Word...Discovery

Book One in the Trusted Saga

Release Date : Available now (buy links in "Books" heading)

EXCERPT ...

Levi visibly stiffened, and I turned to face the woman behind me.

I couldn’t help but recognize Fifi Jackson, even in her elaborate costume. Dressed as a belle from the old American south, her sapphire satin ball gown, and gold lace trim, shimmered under the lights. Her famous blonde locks were upswept, ringlets cascading down her back. With a golden mask, and long sapphire feathers adorning her hair, she was simply exquisite.

Flanking her was the escort that Sebastian had mentioned. Resplendent in a black tuxedo, and sapphire blue waistcoat, the gentleman wore an extravagant Venetian carnival mask.

Gold filigree covered his chin, cheeks, and nose, and around the edge leading to the top of his head, yet underneath showed not skin, but a smooth sapphire material. The headpiece was quite large, with blue feathers surrounding the whole mask, flowing over the back of his head.

His ensemble was topped with a flowing black cape that was lined with sapphire satin. They made a striking couple.

“Hello, Fifi,” Levi replied casually.

She flipped open a matching fan, and fluttered it in a highly theatrical fashion.

“And who do we have here?” She looked me up, and down with narrowed, ice-blue eyes.

“Fifi, this is...Precious.”

I inclined my head at her with a small smile.

“Why of course she is!” she cooed in her fake accent. She waved her fan at me. “Charmed, I’m sure,” she said snidely.

Then she turned back to Levi, without bothering to introduce her escort.

“You’ve been avoiding my calls, Darling.”

Levi sighed audibly.

“It has been a busy couple of weeks, Fifi. I’ll be sure and get in touch with you soon.”

“How soon?” she persisted.

“At the beginning of the week. This isn’t the place for this.”

“Don’t think you can dismiss me,” Fifi suddenly hissed. “You don’t want to make me angry.”

I looked around us, and realized that a coterie of partygoers had moved in closer. Some were gazing with blatant interest in our direction, and some weren’t, but it was obvious that their ears were perked, in order to catch as much as they could of this confrontation between the once affianced power couple.

I squeezed Levi’s taut arm anxiously. He glanced around, and turned back to regard Fifi.

“I don’t recommend making a scene, Fifi”, he said sternly, “Unless you want this splashed across the society pages. You might not come off as being the poor, defenseless victim this time.”

Realizing that we were the center of attention, Fifi plastered on an enormous fake smile, and laughed loudly.

“Yes, I would love to have a dance with you, Darling! Just to show that there are no hard feelings between us. You don’t mind, do you...Precious?” she asked me archly, almost as an afterthought.

She plucked Levi’s glass out of his hand, and shoved it at her escort. He promptly turned, and deposited it on a nearby table.

“Of course not“, I responded coolly. Bitch.

Levi flashed me a grateful, and harried look as he escorted Fifi toward the dance floor.

“It looks like we’ve been abandoned,” said Fifi’s date.

These words were the first he had uttered during this entire encounter, and

I glanced up at him in surprise. His voice was muffled under the mask.

“No matter,” I countered amiably. “I’m sure they’ll find their way back.”

“Would you do me the honor?” he asked me politely, gesturing to the dance floor.

I smiled, and he took my glass, and set it next to Levi’s.

“Why, thank you, kind sir!” I laughed, curtsying, and trying out a fake southern accent of my own.

He flipped his cape back with a flourish, and presented me with his arm. I took it, and soon we were in the midst of the other dancers. After my waltz with Levi, I felt much more capable of keeping up, and not embarrassing myself on the dance floor.

“So what should I call you?” I asked lightly. “Or is that against the rules at a masquerade?”

“I loved it when you called me, Sir,” he responded silkily.

Suddenly, I felt a chill run up my spine. Goosebumps broke out on my arms. As if he was aware of my uneasiness, his hand tightened against my back, pulling me closer to him. Not nearly as tall as Levi, he didn’t have to lean as far down, before his lips were against my ear.

“How have you been, Precious?” he purred. “Is that what you’re calling yourself these days?”

My heart froze, and my feet felt leaden as I stumbled. No. Oh, no! His arms practically carried me as he lifted me, and twirled me on the dance floor.

“You thought you could escape me, didn’t you, Cherub?” he continued on conversationally, as if I hadn’t just turned into a lifeless mannequin. “I looked long, and hard for you, but I never imagined you were right under my nose all this time.” His hand slid down, and gripped my rear end savagely with steely fingers. “I would recognize this ass, and those marvelous emerald eyes, anywhere.”

With a cry, I broke free, and staggered backwards. I couldn’t draw a breath, and the room started spinning as my knees buckled underneath me. The moment the room started to go dark, and I hit the floor, I could hear the startled gasps as the other dancers drew back, and circled around me.

© Copyright Carol Delmornay 2016.

All Rights Reserved.