Chapter Sixteen #2
The crowd instantly fell into a wave of bowing and curtsying, like the rippling of water, and I followed suit, my attention fixed on the floor.
"Rise, my friends."
The voice was deep and steady, yet I felt as the hairs of my neck stood on end. Slowly I rose, my heart hammering in my chest.
Calm yourself, little shadow.
The shadows hissed, slithering through my mind, brushing against the fear that threatened to overwhelm me.
You are shadow-blessed.
A daughter of the Moon,
a King of Sun and Flame,
damned by all,
will bring no harm to you tonight.
A tight, shallow breath released as I made myself relax. The tension in my muscles eased ever so slightly as I truly took in the man before me.
And a man was all he was.
The King was tall and broad, his build that of a seasoned warrior.
Where Prince Kairen was lean, this man was built like a bear.
His dark hair and beard were peppered with grey.
His upturned eyes were a pale golden color, not nearly as bright as his sons.
He had a gruesome, jagged scar that marred his brown skin from the crown of his temple to the top of his full lip.
His extravagant fur cloak was shimmering in the light as a matching golden, four-point crown rested atop his head.
What beast was slain for fur like that?
I caught sight of another man I did not recognize, only a step behind the King.
He was the spitting image of his father, but with Prince Kairen's bright golden eyes.
They were narrowed as he eyed those around the room with a calculating gaze, rather than warm and inviting.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as those eyes met mine, lingering for a moment before moving on.
Leaning closer to Rena, my question was a murmur. “Is that the Crown Prince?"
She hesitated before shaking her head. “He will not be attending tonight. That is the second born, Prince Kassius." Rena's voice was tight with trepidation. "He might be family, but he's a brute and bully. Be careful around him, Syra."
I nodded once, throat tightening. Noted.
It wasn't until I caught a head of white hair entering the ballroom that I felt my body loosen slightly. Goddess, did he look divine. Dressed in a simple, collared black shirt unbuttoned at the throat and a fine jacket over it, paired with matching black pants.
He looked like a God of Death. One of the nine Demon Princes reborn into flesh and blood come to wreak havoc. A walking sin.
Prince Kairen walked side by side with Roan, their heads close together as they whispered something back and forth. An argument perhaps? Yet neither looked angry, just intense.
The prince was dressed similar to his older brother, wearing a fine satin tunic the color of glistening rubies, laid with intricate golden thread and matching flowing pants.
It was that silver and green gaze that found me first in the crowd, sending my heart hammering once more in my chest, a jolt that had me blinking rapidly to clear my mind as he drank me in.
His eyes traveled from my hair, to my eyes, to my quivering, stained lips.
My hands began fidgeting with the satin fabric as his gaze travelled to where my dress dipped and hugged my breasts, to the curve of my hips, and finally to the slit that showed off my tanned, toned leg.
I saw his eyes darken and hands clench before my gaze snapped back to King Artius as he spoke, his tone dripping with the authority that only a royal could muster.
"I hope that this celebration will bring as much joy to you as the occasion for it has brought me," his head held high and proud as he spoke.
"My third born son, Prince Kairen Artius Bruno Soliel, has been prophesied to liberate our kingdom from this sickness, this disease, that has been subjugated upon us for the use of dark magic within Tavari—Luanthian magic. "
I willed myself to relax as his lips curled around that word, Luanthian, as if it burned his lips as it passed between them.
"To my son, Prince Kairen, and his companions who l now bid to please to step forward.
" Prince Kairen moved to kneel before his father and I froze.
My whole being locked and refused to budge even an inch.
Bran gripped my arm as he moved us forward, leading me to kneel beside him as he took his own place beside the prince.
I felt a presence kneel to my other side and I knew it was Roan.
Without even looking, I could feel him. He was just beside me as I kept my eyes glued firmly to the floor.
Had he been punished for those stolen Luanthians? Had he stayed behind that day of the second trial because of me?
The white robes of a Priestess of Soli stepped into the view of my lowered gaze and my throat felt horrifyingly tight, as if my airway was locked..
Goddess, I was going to pass out in front of all of these people. Why had no one warned me that this was going to happen?
They think it an honor, little shadow.
My eyes closed as that voice, that presence I knew so well, soothed my quaking soul.
They think you a child of Sun and Earth,
they do not know you are of Night and Shadow,
that you are a blessed Daughter of the Cursed Moon,
that you hide among them.
Waiting.
Waiting.
Waiting.
Waiting for what? I wondered back, vaguely hearing the prayer that the Priestess said over us, pushing it away as I focused solely within myself. To the magic that dwelled there and calmed my racing heart.
To take back what is rightfully ours.
The words were hissed so forcefully, so menacingly, I nearly gasped.
"Rise, chosen children of Sun and Earth," the Priestess exclaimed, "for the blessing is done."
The five of us stood, rising slowly to our feet, heads still bowed in reverence.
The King’s booming voice startled me as he moved to clap Kairen roughly on his back.
"This quest shall be one written into our history books, to be remembered for eternity, as a Solerian Prince will be our deliverance from the evil that is The Fever.
This curse cast upon our people over a century ago, this plague we have long since suffered will finally meet its end.
Be joyous tonight, my people, for this is a night of celebration! "
Cheers sounded throughout the room, so loud my ears rang with the raucous noise. King Artius moved to sit upon his throne as the music and dancing began anew, the transition so smooth that it seemed as if it had never halted.
A voice, smooth and baritone, came from so close I could smell the harsh mint of the speaker's breath. “A dance, my lady?"
Glancing up into the golden eyes of Kairen's burly older brother, I stared at his large, thick hand held out to me in offering. I couldn't simply refuse him, could I?
My eyes searched frantically for Bran, my lips desperately straining to scowl, despite my best efforts to appear cordial. When they did land on him, I could see Bran was too busy flirting with a man dressed in a powdery blue suit, his smile coy and dashing, to come to my rescue.
Swallowing, I placed my hand in his, without any other option. He led me past Prince Kairen and Captain Delmar, my back stiffening when Prince Kassius caught the darkened fury brewing in Roan's gaze.
He gave him a lopsided, cunning smile, his arrogance like poisonous little needles pricking my heart.
"Don't worry, Luanthian dog," his large hand moving to pat Roan's shoulder as we passed, "perhaps the lady will take pity and allow you a dance after I'm done with her. Soli knows no noblewoman in this room would deign to let those cursed hands touch them.”
Blood rushed to my head, my thoughts racing back to the night we had first met, my steps freezing. Hesitating.
Trained you well, have they, little guard dog?
Dog.
Dog.
Dog.
My own words echoed, haunting as they raced and spun through my mind. That look of anger, of hurt, the cold mask that had fallen over his features as soon as I had uttered those words. How sharp they must have been.
Dog.
My patience snapped, arm immediately falling from Prince Kassius' grip as I gave a wonderfully bright, forced smile. His confused look quickly melted to rage, his cheeks reddening with it, as I took a step closer to his brother and Roan.
Curtsying deeply, I kept my voice light and sweet as honey.
"I apologize, Your Highness. I just remembered there are some urgent details of our quest that I need to discuss with Captain Delmar, matters that simply cannot wait.
" My eyes lifted to meet his rage filled golden ones.
"Please do seek me out later for our dance. "
As if I’d actually allow him to catch me alone once again, but I’d take great pleasure in making a game of it.
He was stiff as I straightened out, his lips pursing as he dipped his head. A picture of sophistication and aristocracy masking the wrath that brewed beneath. "Of course, my lady."
I held out my hand, gaze still holding the Prince's, my voice still honey sweet. "Captain?"
A cough came from Prince Kairen, the laugh within it poorly masked.
"My lady."
That voice was dark, sinful and deep, washing over me like a cold autumn rain. Invigorating and utterly delectable. His hand was warm beneath mine as he led us towards the crowd of dancing nobles that parted like a sea as we entered.
The wide berth they gave us should have bothered me, should have worried me as their sidelong glances lingered upon us, but it didn't. Not as he spun me into his grip, his hand still holding tightly to my own, his other moving to rest comfortably in the dip of my hip.
He leaned in slightly, a wicked little smile curved his lips as we fell into step with the music.
"I thought I wasn't allowed to dance with you, little menace? "
"I suppose an exception can be made tonight," I grinned, my eyes meeting his, sparkling with mischief. "It is a celebration after all, is it not?"
His body was strong beneath my hand as we moved, his steps light and quick as he led us around the dance floor. His confidence deliciously contagious as he spun me.
"I heard some Luanthian prisoners apparently went missing." The question in my voice was soft, hesitant as to what his response would be. "Were you punished for not seeing them back to Hewstone?"
"No."
His answer was short, clipped. I decided not to pry more as the song went on, our bodies perfectly in tune with one another and the gentle music that floated throughout the opulent room.
My breath hitched as he leaned closer once more, the scent of rain and cedar enveloping my senses. "Did I mention that you look stunning tonight?"
Raising a brow, I fought the flush I felt rising to my cheeks. "I suppose I have you to thank for that, with the dress and all."
"The dress is hardly the reason, Syra."
I stumbled slightly as my name slipped from his lips. He had never spoken it like that, only using it in times of distress, never so freely. It was always little menace, or Apprentice Sommers.
The song came to an end and Roan stepped back, bowing deeply as I curtsied in return, his lips pressing upon the back of my hand. Warm, soft, and ever so gently, like a whisper of wind. My chest tightened when I saw exactly where his lips had met.
Precisely against the scar that now marred my hand.
"Thank you for the dance, my lady."
Let us do it again, my heart sang, but I bit my lip, forcing the words to stay within. It wouldn't be appropriate to have another dance, it would draw too much attention. More than enough guests were already focused more on the two of us than the festivities.
He turned then, disappearing within the crowd to find his way back to Kairen as I was swept into another dance with a different nobleman, my eyes searching for that shock of white in the crowd with every turn and spin.