Chapter Sixteen
The invitation had arrived while I had been at Merle's.
It had been tied to the handle of my door—an elegant, cream colored scroll, the crest of Tavari pressed into the wax seal that held it closed.
The same mark was branded upon the Priestesses of Soli, and carved into the golden breastplates of the KingsGuard—a flaming sun with four points.
That same scroll lay upon my desk the following day, almost mockingly as Rena applied makeup once more to my face.
It had been an invitation to attend a royal celebration in honor of the quest the third-born Solerian Prince and his companions would be embarking upon. It had been signed by King Artius Soliel himself, highlighting that as one of the companions, I would be a guest of honor.
The thought had the contents of my stomach curdling.
I had never come face to face with the King of Tavari before, had never even seen a portrait of the man.
After the assassination of Queen Mishana, every portrait of the royal family within the kingdom was ordered to be burned.
The common people, at least those that had no interaction with the royals, had no idea what they looked like.
It was why I had no clue that it was a Solerian Prince that had waltzed into my shop that fateful day.
To face this man that caused so much grief within my life seemed impossible. How could I keep myself together long enough to hold idle conversation and pleasantries when just the thought of him sent fear and rage coursing through my bones?
"There we are," Rena said, pulling me from my thoughts. “What do you think?"
As always when Rena worked her magic, I looked stunning.
My eyes were lined in a green shade that blended out perfectly and highlighted my grey eyes beautifully.
The flush of my cheeks was soft, natural, and my lips were painted a stunning rose.
A dusting of golden shimmering powder had been added to highpoints of my cheekbones and eyes, giving my face a sharper look.
As I turned, my long black hair was pin straight and swayed as it brushed the bottom of my spine.
It would be left unpinned today, a request I had made—a shield for what was to come.
Rena moved across the room to retrieve a garment bag from the back of the door, removing the covering as my eyes fell upon the deep viridian satin that flowed out, so dark it was nearly black.
"Rena," I murmured as my fingers reached out to brush against the soft material. “This is..."
She gave a conspiratorial smile. “There wasn't enough notice for us to go shopping together, so I'm afraid I can't take credit for picking out this beauty."
My brow rose. "Then who did?"
"Roan," Rena stated simply, unaware how the air was sucked from my lungs at that name, the last name I had expected to hear at that moment. "The man can be such a brute that I sometimes forget he was born noble, before his father was stripped of his titles. He does happen to have exquisite taste."
The dress fit like a glove, hugging every curve of my body.
It was strapless, tightening all the way down to my hips in a flattering v shape, before flowing into a beautiful skirt.
A slit travelled high up my thigh and I was delightfully surprised to find that it had a sewn in holster to strap in a dagger while still keeping it hidden from sight.
Had that already been there, or had he requested it be added specifically for me?
My necklace, thankfully, was long enough to be hidden beneath the neckline of the dress, and I prayed no one asked of the silver chain. The necklace alone wouldn’t mark me a Luanthian, but there was something vulnerable that coursed through me when the pendant was on display for others to see.
Hands smoothing out the fabric, my eyes lingering, I was hardly able to fathom that he had picked this dress for me specifically.
It would have been something I picked myself, as if he had truly considered what would compliment me best, from how the color highlighted the natural olive of my skin, to how the fit accentuated the curves of my figure.
"Ready to go?" Rena asked, linking arms and giving me a little smile.
l nodded once, murmuring a compliment for the beautiful, shimmering golden gown she wore before we headed out the door.
My nerves were like an angry nest of fire wasps within my belly, buzzing like a storm beneath my skin, stinging and suffocating. I sucked in a breath as I entered the grand hall, arm in arm with Rena.
The high towering ceilings were littered with brilliant, shining golden lights casting a beautiful glow around the room.
High, golden pillars lined the open space, while vines with blooming white flowers wrapped around them.
A guard was standing before each one, great, golden helms covering each of their faces.
The party already seemed to be in full swing when we entered, a fact I was entirely too grateful for as the guests, too engrossed in the celebration, hardly paid us any mind.
Nobles dressed in beautiful gowns and lavish suits and tunics were dancing and drinking sparkling beverages as they laughed and conversed.
A group of musicians were on a raised dais in the far corner of the room, playing an enchanting, lilting tune.
But it was the magic that entranced me.
It was everywhere, buzzing in the air, my shadows whirling within to meet and match it as it prickled over my skin.
Everywhere I looked I saw the blessed magic of Soli.
Even Rena’s warm, golden light emanated from her skin, as if she were glowing.
Fire danced in every corner of the room as little jeweled stones floated through the air following those who had cast them, little balls of golden light sticking to the dresses of the noble ladies who passed. It was stunning.
While people with blessed magic walked the streets of Amori City, never had I seen such a large display of abilities.
Rena pulled us further into the chaos, my head ducking as we passed a woman whose flames arced over the crowd in a dazzling burst of cascading cinders high above. My throat tightened as I watched them disperse within the air, never once touching another in the sea of awed spectators.
“Such a show off.” Rena’s lips pursed as she grabbed two flutes of some sort of alcohol from a passing attendant, shoving one into my hand. “I hate the showboating of these events, but it’s necessary for appearances.”
Her golden light shimmered and flared as she brought the drink to her mouth, downing it in one go. I followed suit, placing the empty flutes on the tray of a different attendant. My mind spun as I tried to take in all that we saw, all that we passed.
I wouldn't get drunk, not surrounded by these people, but I needed something to take the edge off of my anxiety. Needed to loosen the tension that knotted my muscles, to blend seamlessly into this crowd of aristocrats.
Rena introduced people as we went, faces and names blurring together as I struggled to truly focus in on the moment. Conversations of the quest became dull as similar questions were asked over and over.
Bran joined us soon after our arrival, his steady presence ever constant at my side. He answered any questions asked, his charm so enrapturing that the nobles hardly looked twice at me.
When the group currently occupying our time bid their farewells and well wishes, Bran leaned in close, whispering, "Are these people making you want to jump from Mount Hellenis too?"
My mouth twisted to hold back the laugh that threatened to slip past my lips as I responded, "A bit."
"I hate kissing ass," Bran muttered, pausing thoughtfully before a wicked grin graced his face. “At least metaphorically."
A laugh slipped free before I could stop it, my hand slapping his chest lightly. "Hush, before you get us into trouble."
"Did you hear of the Luanthian prisoners stolen away by rebels?"
I sought the voice that had spoken, my curiosity piqued as I moved towards the pair that were gossiping. An older woman, her face pinched with displeasure, dripping in diamonds and wearing a black chiffon gown, was who had spoken.
"A sordid affair indeed," her companion, a large man with a ruddy complexion and impressive mustache, bemoaned. "These rebels are growing too bold. To steal prisoners just on the outskirts of Amori City? Blasphemous, l'd say."
I approached then, hand gripping my glass as I laid a hand over my heart, feigning concern. "Prisoners stolen by rebels? How horrid."
The woman’s gaze was shrewd as the man shifted uncomfortably, his beady eyes travelling about the room to search for more prying ears. "Well yes, but—"
Laying a hand upon his arm, I asked, "How many?"
"Well six from what I heard, but I must say you are—"
"Six?" My gasp was sudden, my mind whirling as I tried to keep my composure, to continue the role of an overly nosy aristocrat. “How ever did they even manage that?"
The woman spoke this time, her gaze alight at the prospect of gossip with someone who did not already know the story.
"I heard they were brought to the palace grounds for some reason or another, accompanied by the Captain of the KingsGuard and some of his men.
" Her pinched face glanced around before she leaned closer.
"They say that when the prisoners were being taken back to Hewstone Prison that the Captain did not make the journey with them.
He sent four guards in his stead, and they were attacked while traveling the road out of Amori City. They didn't even stand a chance.”
My head spun with the new information, my mind dizzy with it.
Mirabel.
It had to be Mirabel and the others.
The blaring of trumpets caused me to jolt, nearly spilling the glass held in my hand, the music and conversations instantly halting.
Butler Nott appeared in the entrance, his back straight and regal as he announced, "Make way for His Majesty, King Artius Soliel, by the grace of our Goddess Soli, King of Tavari!"