Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
Elias stroked a dangling sapphire-and-silver earring. “Yes. These belonged to Mother.” He smiled. “They are one of my favourites.” And one of his mother’s belongings that he’d hidden away when things had started to disappear after Empress Emmeline became his stepmother.
His father smiled. “They were your mother’s favourite too. She always wore them. Almost every day.” He stared at his son. “You really do look just like her.”
The empress turned away.
Because she could remove all the portraits of his mother from the castle, she could remove all her things, but she could not remove the emperor’s memory of his first wife, whom he still loved just as he loved his second.
And the empress hated that. Hated that she still competed with a woman who’d been gone for twenty years.
Perhaps that was why she hated Elias. Because he acted as a living reminder of his dead mother.
And not only did he remind the emperor of his mother, but the people adored Prince Elias as they’d adored his mother.
Many throughout Voltaria and even Zephyrias called for him to be future ruler instead of Matteo.
Elias’s mother had been called the lightning empress. Which was why Elias had been called the lightning prince.
Servants came and took their finished plates. Colette had forced herself to finish her sea urchin. Elias had not touched his. Around them individuals began to rise. Several approached the newly married couple at the front table.
Elias stood. “Well, we should make the rounds. Come, Colette.”
She jumped to her feet and followed him. She glanced back towards the table as they made their escape. “Empress Emmeline is not as … nice as I thought she would be.”
Elias laughed. “No.” He took her arm. “Avoid her as best you can.” Especially since Colette hadn’t developed a thick skin or the ability to lie fluently. And she had secrets that needed keeping.
“That painting is so impressive!” Colette exclaimed as she stared up at the vaulted ceilings, painted to depict a sunny sky with clouds.
Elias smiled at her. She seemed to be always so in awe of everything. His chest twinged. He did not wish to be the one to toughen her up and cause her to lose that sense of wonder in her eyes. “Yes. The monks have done a good job designing the upper part of the monastery.”
He scanned the crowds, finding himself once again seeking out Prince Gerard. He currently spoke with his newly married brother.
“I’m going to get us some drinks,” Elias said to Colette.
Moments later, when he returned, he found Colette speaking to a young dragon. Elias gave him a once-over. He appeared to be of an appropriately similar age to Colette. She giggled and blushed as the young man spoke.
Elias stopped a little distance away, allowing his ward to flirt. But he kept his eyes on the two as he sipped his wine.
“Prince Elias!” a lady, surrounded by several others from Botanial, Voltaria, and Zephyrias, exclaimed.
“Good evening, Lady Marigold. I haven’t seen you in years.” Elias smiled. “You haven’t aged a day!”
“You charmer!” Lady Marigold laughed. “And you have grown up completely!” Her eyes softened. “You know, you look just like your mother.” She placed a hand over her heart.
Those gathered around her murmured their agreement and nodded.
“I hope you don’t mind me saying that.” Lady Marigold touched his arm.
“Not at all. I take it as a great compliment.” Elias smiled.
His stepmother had tried once to make him feel bad for looking like his mother, saying it was a pity he did not look more masculine, like Matteo. But how could Elias regret resembling his mother?
As it was, if he squinted when looking in the mirror, he could almost believe he was seeing her. Almost.
“Unfortunately, I lack her magical ability.” Elias pouted. “But I have some skills.” He looked around at those who stood by him. He placed down the goblets of wine on a small table. “Would you like to see a trick?”
Then he spotted Prince Luther behind everyone. Their eyes locked.
“I hope this brightens your wedding feast, Prince Luther.” Elias lifted his hands. “May your marriage always be filled with love and … sparkles!”
Light flashed and danced on his hands and then shot into the air above. Those gathered around gasped and clapped.
So much power surged within Elias. A weaker sorcerer did not have even a tenth of his power. And many weaker sorcerers could not control that little amount without their engraved bracers.
But here I am, showing everyone a tiny glimpse of my ability. Holding the storm of power back with so little effort. And they all have no idea. They all think me weak and powerless. How wrong they all are.
He exhaled and smiled as everyone clapped.
“Thank you.” Elias laughed as he stopped.
He gave a wry smile. “Unfortunately, that is all my powers can achieve. I may have been born a rather pathetic lightning sorcerer. But it makes for a pretty party trick.” He flicked his hair over his shoulders before once again lifting his hands and creating his sparkles.
From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed the dragon warrior, who watched Elias and his sparkles. Elias’s breath caught.
Does he know? Can he feel that this same magic was the one that struck him down?
Elias let the sparkles stop and met Prince Gerard’s gaze.
Of course not. He had no idea it was me. How could he?
His fingers spasmed as if wanting to show off his power once again. But this time he wanted to reveal his true power to the dragon warrior.
Elias looked away. What a foolish urge! Still, he found himself turning towards Prince Gerard and taking a step, letting the strange pull he felt guide him. Elias wanted to learn more about the dragon warrior.
And Elias was not betrothed yet. He could flirt a bit. Perhaps they could find somewhere quiet to get to know each other better. He took another step towards the man.
“Well, it is our wedding day,” Prince Luther said, voice raised. He had his hand in the crook of Warden Onyx’s arm.
Everyone turned towards the prince. Warden Onyx stood beside him, face stony and blank.
“And since the night draws ever later, I think it best that my new husband and I retreat to our rooms whilst we still have energy.” Prince Luther winked. “After all, we still need to seal this marriage.”
Warden Onyx’s face did not change. He did not appear to be a man looking forward to consummating his marriage.
Laughter, clapping, and cheering broke out. Prince Luther and Warden Onyx strode away. Prince Luther threw a smile over his shoulder. He gave a little wave as the two left.
Elias huffed. He really did not know what was going on with the two of them. But thankfully that continued to be none of his concern.
He looked to where Prince Gerard had been. But the dragon had disappeared. He glanced around. He could see him nowhere.
Where did he go?
He saw Colette, still engaged in conversation with the same young dragon. She nodded, waving her hands around as she spoke. Then she giggled at something the young man said.
Hope she doesn’t give her heart out too quickly. And she better not be sharing secrets she shouldn’t be!
Although, Elias doubted she would. Perhaps he should try to find out a few details about this young dragon. Elias continued to make small talk with the nobles from Botanial, Voltaria, and Zephyrias. At the same time, he studied the dragon with Colette.
Was he related to the royal family? Was he some minor lord?
The back of his neck prickled. He turned. Prince Gerard stood at the other end of the banquet hall, talking with his older brother and sister. He stared straight at Elias. When Elias turned towards him, his gaze darted away.
Elias smiled.
Perhaps I’m not the only one intrigued.