Dark Angel (The Gilded Blade #1)

Promenades and Parasols

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“I think it may rain again later,” Daisy looks at Kora as she climbs out of the Edevane carriage, which has pulled up out the front of the iron gates encircling Regents Park. Other carriages line the street as people make their way into the royal gardens. Thick clouds blanket the sky above. The familiar smell of dew lingering.

Kora nods, grabbing her parasol and the small basket she prepared for them. Daisy follows her out before Clarence exits, closing the door behind him and dropping into the muddy road. “Lead the way, girls.” Pushing Kora and Daisy gently forward and trailing behind them as they enter the park.

Droplets of water coat everything. Plants growing wildly, while leaves and flowers wilt from the impending winter weather. Blankets have been spread out across the lush green lawn, as Mortals and Marked kinds picnic together and promenade around the central lake. Women dressed in long-sleeved dresses of fine silks and fabrics, lace cuffing their bodices and skirts as they carry parasols. Delicate white gloves covering their hands.

Men stroll beside them in dark-coloured waistcoats and trousers tucked into high glossy boots. Mortals always have a lady’s maid chaperoning behind them, but the Marked kinds don’t deem that tradition important enough. Most Mortal customs don’t seem imperative to the Marked kinds, but they try to honour most of them .

“Matthew and Lewis are over there.” Daisy says, pointing at the two boys passing a ball between themselves along the ground. Alice sits quietly on a blanket, watching the two of them.

They approach and Alice’s lips curl into a small smile as Daisy sits beside her. Kora places down their blanket, setting up the food she prepared as Clarence goes off to join the boys. “Did you want some biscuits, Alice? I made them fresh this morning.”

“Yes, please.” Her voice is so delicate and soft, like a bird.

Kora hands her some. She’s so thin, her bones are jutting out beneath her skin, and her eyes are large against her slimmer face. Kora always prepares extra food for Alice and Matthew. “I have some drinks too. I found a raspberry one I think you’ll enjoy.” Handing it to her as well.

Alice’s grin widens into a thank you as she places everything in front of her and begins munching on the jam filled biscuits.

“What, you aren’t even going to offer any to me?” Daisy glowers, taking some biscuits from Kora’s hand and stuffing one straight into her mouth.

Kora’s brow lifts. “Do I even need to?”

Daisy giggles as she chews on her mouthful of food. Swallowing, she adds, “Jordan and Valarie should be here shortly. Also, Charles may show his face, since he overheard Matthew and I speaking about today’s plans last night when we were grabbing refreshments.”

Kora groans, rolling her eyes. “Of course he will.”

“Are you still not over your little tiff I saw out there on the floor? I still can’t believe you just left him out there. No doubt it was deserved, though. Charles never knows when to shut his mouth.” Daisy says before biting into a sandwich Kora pulled out from the basket.

“I’d never leave in the middle of a dance, but Charles needs to work on his manners, that’s for sure.”

Her friend tsks, “You should know by now-oh what are they doing! ”

She’s on her feet in an instant, rushing over to Matthew and Clarence who are rolling around in the damp lawn. The sodden grass staining Matthew’s crisp shirt. She pulls Clarence off him as Lewis just chuckles at the sight. “What are you both doing?” glaring between the two of them.

Matthew’s mouth tightens as Clarence lifts a brow, his arms crossing in front of him. “Clarence kicked it in my face!”

Daisy looks, seeing the faint red mark appearing on Matthew’s cheek. She looks at Clarence for an explanation and he just shrugs. “Not my fault you can’t catch a ball.”

“The ball is to stay on the ground. That’s how it works.”

“So, I can’t kick it in the air to make it more exciting?”

“No, you can’t!” Matthew shouts at him.

Clarence just smirks as Daisy shakes her head, stepping between them. “All right. No more playing. I am taking the ball off you if you’re going to act like children.”

“We’re not children.” They both retort.

Daisy plucks the ball off the ground. “You’re both acting like it right now. Come and eat something. Kora made some very nice food and…”

Matthew is off, walking excitedly towards the blankets at the mere mention of food. Daisy rubs her forehead as Clarence snatches the ball off her. “I was handling that.”

“By rolling around on the ground like a pair of animals?”

His jaw clenches tightly. “He started it.”

Daisy scoffs a laugh. “You really are a child still at heart.” She leans in closer, her lips brushing the shell of his ear. “Just one of the many reasons why I love you.”

Before he can react, she’s pulling away, biting her bottom lip and walking back towards the others. His trousers tighten at the front as his blood rushes south and Clarence shakes his head, forcing the thoughts away while he’s in public .

Swallowing, he trails behind her, catching sight of Jordan and Valarie approaching the group.

“You’re late!” Daisy calls out, embracing Valarie tightly.

“That was Val. She couldn’t choose a dress to wear,” Jordan mutters as he walks past them towards the others.

Valarie giggles, spinning in her light pink and white dress. “I chose the right one, eventually.”

“That you did. You look lovely,” Lewis says, standing in front of her and brushing a piece of hair behind her ear. “Do you want to walk with me?”

Valarie peers behind him to Jordan, who nods once. Another giggle bubbles out of her throat as Lewis takes her arm in his and they set off towards the edge of the water where other couples are strolling arm in arm.

Clarence approaches Jordan, holding his hand out to him as Kora, Daisy and Matthew talk between themselves. “I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Clarence Hamilton.”

Shaking his outstretched hand, Jordan’s posture loosens slightly. “I’m sorry, I don’t. It’s been a very long time since I was in London, so I barely remember anything about it.”

“That’s very understandable. How are you finding London so far?”

“It’s defiantly livelier than Oxford, that’s for sure. There are more people, and more things to do.” Jordan admits to him.

Clarence’s smile is warm as he pats Jordan on his shoulder. “You will fall in love with this city, believe me.”

Jordan’s eyes move off his onto Kora’s as she laughs with Daisy and Matthew on the blanket. Her auburn hair falling around her in fiery wisps. Eyes bright and a single dimple showing in her cheek. Jordan can almost feel his stony heart beginning to thaw as he watches her. “I think I will too.” Jordan hushes out.

Her hazel eyes catch his, and Jordan can almost feel the sensation running along his skin again. After catching her last night, and feeling her energy mixing with his own, Jordan needs to know more about her. He’s never been this entranced in a girl before.

“Clarence,” Daisy says loudly from where they’re sitting, “you have to try one of these.”

Clarence strolls over, plucking a biscuit from her hand and biting into it. He gives a soft groan of delight. “Superb, Kora.”

“Always making the best sweets.” Matthew says in agreement.

Clarence wipes his mouth before turning back to Jordan. “Do you remember my sister, Kora?”

Jordan’s gaze meets hers and he sees the twinge of pink staining her cheeks as she bites down on her bottom lip. “We met again last night at the soiree. It’s lovely to see you again, Kora.” Her name escaping his tongue so effortlessly and smoothly, like melted butter.

“It’s good to see you again, Jordan.” She says, nervously tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. She can feel the swarm of butterflies appearing in her stomach once again.

Kora can feel Daisy’s glare on within an instant. It feels like a spotlight shining solely on her, burning her skin like fire.

He sits beside Kora on the blanket, trying one of her biscuits for himself as Daisy turns her attention onto Clarence. Kora’s skin tingles from their close proximity.

“You made these?” he asks, almost in shock.

She nods to him as a gentle smile gleans her face.

Jordan polishes off the rest in one bite and grins, his dimples deepening. “Delicious.”

“Thank you.” She breathes out.

His turquoise eyes study her, moving up and down casually before landing on hers once more. “Your dress is pretty.” He admits coolly.

Kora feels Daisy’s stare once again, and she smiles softly, “Thank you.” Kora repeats as if every other word has escaped her vocabulary.

Jordan smirks. “You’re welcome.” Kora blushes as Jordan looks to Alice, who is on his other side. “How are you, Alice? And how is your training coming along? ”

Alice lets out the smallest, shyest giggle Kora has ever heard. She’s so much smaller than Jordan, but she looks up at him, almost in awe. “I am still learning how to block properly. Matthew and Kora are teaching me.”

They dive into a conversation, and Kora listens momentarily before she feels a hand touching her gently. Spinning, Matthew is beside her, his brows creased as he watches Jordan and Alice speaking. “I’m glad she’s talking with him.” He admits so quietly only Kora can hear him. “I’m worried about her.”

Kora’s heart sinks a little as she sees the concern interspersing throughout Matthew’s features. Her hand reaches out, wrapping itself around his in a comforting way. “I know you are Matthew, but she will be fine.”

His jaw feathers at her reassurance. “She’s not eating enough anymore.”

Kora knows that since their mother died, Matthew’s been watching over his little sister. Their father doesn’t seem very present, but Matthew talks about Lawrence. Kora’s also the only person Matthew is able to confide in when it comes to Alice, who is his biggest concern in life.

“I made sure to bring her some food.” Kora offers and Matthew nods slowly.

He rubs at his jaw, all amusement and happiness removed from his face. “Kora, if I lose her…”

“You won’t, I promise. I’ll help you as well. I’ll make sure she eats enough, and that her training doesn’t suffer. It’ll be fine, Matthew.”

Her hand laces with his as they sit slightly away from the others. It’s never in a romantic way with Matthew, but in a best friend’s sort of way. As if holding onto her keeps Matthew focused and grounded. They’ve always had this unspoken bond between them that Matthew will always cherish .

Kora goes to say something else when she catches sight of Charles rushing towards them.

Matthew groans softly, “He said he’d come.”

Charles reaches them a few seconds later, huffing for air. “There’s been-an attack.” He puffs out.

Kora’s glower drops as jumps to her feet, “Who? When?”

“Last night. The Night Guard found-Clara on her way home-from the soiree. She was killed-and carved.”