Chapter 14
“This ball is going to be the death of me,” Osta groaned as she bounded into the living room, dropping garment bags and releasing her golden hair from its knot.
“I’m glad you’re finally seeing reason,” I murmured, toying with the cork from a vial on my apothecary belt.
“Well, it’s not the ball itself. Just Thearna. You have no idea how many needle injuries I have right now. My hands look atrocious,” Osta said, holding them up for inspection, a disgusted look forming on her face.
“You’re being a little ridiculous, Osta. Your hands look fine.” I attempted a small laugh despite my sour state.
“All of this better be worth it. Thearna promised she would try to bring me along with her, but she’s still waiting on her own invitation to come.” Osta plopped down next to me at the brown makeshift box we called a dining table.
“Osta, have we learned nothing? I don’t even know why you would want to go to one of these things.” I was being unfair, but I couldn’t help it. Talking about the Tribute Ball made me think of the General, which gnawed at the growing pit in my stomach .
“You know I don’t want to work under Thearna forever. I need to start building a client list. And events like these are my only way to make a name for myself. It’s the only way I can show off my own designs,” Osta asserted, placing her hands carefully on the chipped tabletop.
The Tribute Ball happened once a year and celebrated the advancements of the Guard.
Well, at least that was the reason for its creation centuries ago.
Now it was just an excuse for a party–another exclusive event that required a royal invitation.
I couldn’t understand why anyone would subject themselves to that kind of nightmare.
Surely, the General was frothing at the mouth for the attention such an event would bring him.
I winced at the thought. Even insulting him didn’t bring the dark satisfaction that it used to.
“I just don’t think it’s safe, Osta. Especially after how everything ended with the General,” I said, my tone just above a whisper. I glanced over at Osta as she popped a raisin into her mouth.
“If he was going to retaliate, I think he would have done it by now,” she said, meeting my eyes. “It’s been a week.”
“Maybe.”
I couldn’t bring myself to believe that he was done with me.
“Oh my, have you seen the time?” She shrieked as I peered toward the window. The room had gotten dark, only illuminated by the muted rays of the setting sun.
“We need to get ready! Eron and Jacquelina are expecting us soon.” Osta flew from her chair and ran to the hallway. “Don’t worry, I picked out an outfit for you already,” she chirped before skipping into her bedroom.
Hopefully the General wouldn't choose tonight to show up and arrest me.
Or kill me.
Or both.
I walked over to my bed, eyeing the outfit that Osta had so kindly chosen. The simplicity of it could only mean one thing. She was taking it easy on me. I smiled.
Usually, Osta would take this opportunity to style me, and run with it, hoping to persuade me into one of her more adventurous designs. I had almost fallen into that trap one too many times.
Sighing, I lifted the pale green dress off the bed. With its long sleeves, modest neckline, and flowing knee-length skirt, it was a thoughtful choice. I promised myself to thank her for it later.
Shedding my work clothes, I slipped into the garment and made my way to my tiny desk, stealing a glance in the mirror. My curls framed my face in a wild halo. Groaning softly, I sank onto the stool.
After a few long moments of trying to slick the icy strands back into a neat bun, I gave up. It would just have to stay wild and unruly tonight. Not exactly waves, but not fully curled. It lived somewhere in the static-ridden middle.
I wandered to the living room and stepped into my brown flats. When I thought about the walk to Eron’s I found myself wishing for a boat. The canals would prove a much faster route.
Eron lived at the end of the Central district, but it was still a long trek.
We trudged off into the night, my arm linked with Osta’s.
Nerves crept in as I surveyed the busy street.
I shuddered as a few wandering eyes fell upon us, pulling Osta along.
Osta was oddly quiet, lost in her own thoughts.
And I didn’t want to be alone with mine anymore.
After half an hour, the gaps in the cobblestone told me we were nearing our destination. Our friends lived further out from the city center, where the rigid architecture of Luminaria faded into more simple dwellings.
Osta and I approached their small townhouse, eyeing the repairs that Eron had recently made to the exterior. It was quaint, but charming, with vines cascading down the front of ivory-painted wood.
Most of the buildings this far out were in various states of ruin, but with Eron working as a delivery man and Jacquelina opting to stay home with the newborn, the choices were limited.
Eron worked his ass off, serving long hours and weekends, taking up extra shifts whenever he could just to make sure his family maintained some semblance of a comfortable existence.
Service work was really the only option for Riftborne.
If you could find work in the first place.
Jacquelina had tried for years to make it as a vocal instructor for kids, but no one would hire her.
Before the baby, when the couple was trying to save as much coin as possible, she dressed in costume and sang on the street, accepting tips from generous passersby, keeping her Riftborne mark hidden carefully behind a glove.
Osta looked over, giving me a reassuring smile before knocking on the door. “Hey, just try not to think about it tonight. Let’s have fun,” she stated, observing my less-than-stellar mood. I shook my head, trying to dispel the disappointment from earlier.
“Don’t worry. I plan on drowning my sorrows,” I teased, forcing a smile.
“Okay, that’s what I like to hear. About time you actually let loose,” Osta replied before wincing, realizing the implication of her words.
“Well, maybe not around the baby…” she added, eyeing me gently.
My arm looped around her shoulder in reassurance.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be on my absolute best behavior,” I said as the door flung open, revealing the familiar face of Jaquelina.
She had always been the most beautiful of the Riftborne kids that shared our group home.
Her caramel skin glistened in the moonlight, exposing her delicate features.
Raven-colored hair spiraled down her back in tight coils.
My eyes traveled the length of her body, taking in her long violet gown that flowed out just above her ankles.
There was no indication that she had given birth to a child just weeks ago .
“I’m so glad to see you two! It’s been far too long.” She gave us a welcoming smile and reached out to embrace us.
“It has been too long. I’m so happy you invited us over. Now step aside and let us meet that baby!” Osta cooed, bouncing on her heels and eagerly looking past Jacquelina into the house.
“Of course, come in!” She moved aside and Osta rushed past her. I smiled and stepped over the threshold.
“Fia, I haven’t seen you wear your hair down like that since you were little. It’s lovely. Really, it suits you so well,” Jacquelina remarked, her voice like a melody.
“Ah–thanks.” I tugged on one of my curls. “It absolutely wouldn’t cooperate today.”
“Well, that sounds about right. Just as stubborn as the head from which it grows.” Her vibrant laugh echoed through the entrance. She nudged me with her elbow before closing the door.
I couldn’t help but smile as she led me to the dining area. It was a simple room with walls the color of the sea. Candlelight shimmered through the space, revealing a wooden table set for four.
Osta’s laughter and squeals reverberated through the house as she and Eron entered the room. Osta arms were wrapped around the newborn, her eyes already gleaming with adoration.
“Fia, meet Leila!” Osta said breathlessly. For a split second, I worried whether she was in too high a state to be holding a baby. I labored a smile and walked over, attempting to hide my hesitation.
“Hi Leila, it’s nice to meet you.” The words came out clumsily, and I looked around at Eron for approval. He just rolled his eyes and smiled.
“It’s just a baby Fia. There’s no need to recoil in terror.”
Everyone laughed, including me. I had always been sort of awkward around children. I had no idea how to interact with them.
As Jacquelina put the final touches on dinner, I took the opportunity to practice my baby etiquette, attempting to join in with Osta as she mused over features that absolutely came from Jacquelina and the golden flecked eyes that mirrored Eron’s.
I tried my best to mimic her sentiments, but it still felt so odd coming from my mouth.
Luckily for me, the beginning of dinner marked Leila’s bedtime.
Eron passed out glasses to everyone and filled them with wine the hue of garnet.
I took a sip, letting the velvety liquid swirl in my mouth, tasting notes of vanilla, spices and winter berries.
It warmed me instantly. It wasn’t magically enhanced, like the wine from the Bloodthorne Highlands, but it would do the trick.
Jacquelina danced into the room with steaming platters of root vegetables and a tray of roasted quail that smelled of honey and herbs.
My mouth watered. A home-cooked meal was a delicacy that Osta and I rarely experienced these days.
We weren’t the most talented chefs, so our diet revolved around baked potatoes, smoked sausage and fruit.
We really needed to learn how to be better adults.