Chapter 20
They were the epitome of regality, vibrantly draped in emerald silks. The King bore a roaring smile and a full head of peppered hair.Though his eyes seemed gentle, they nearly glowed in shades of violet.
Beside him, the Queen emanated radiance, bedecked in a cascade of jewels. Her blonde tresses were meticulously styled in perfect ringlets that flowed down her back effortlessly. It contrasted her hauntingly onyx eyes, which seared into me. She wore a more curious expression.
Both monarchs sported golden crowns adorned with green stones. Their presence was overwhelming.
The King had found his Queen forty years before, and songs of their love story were sung throughout the realm, both by bards in lowly taverns and by orchestras at Royal banquets.
The songs spoke of a love at first sight, so powerful that it forced the King to abandon the woman who had been promised to him since birth.
He risked everything to marry a member of a distant noble family from the furthest reaches of Sídhe.
Even now, the King looked at her with such pride, it was almost uncomfortable to witness.
Osta and I shared a quick look of panic before dropping down into a bow. The King, with his booming voice, chuckled. We rose to see the three of them beaming with amusement.
“How adorable, my dears, but there’s no need to be so formal,” Queen Ophelia remarked, casting a glance down at my Riftborne marking and cocking her head to the side. I shifted my weight nervously.
“Fia, is it? Laryk was right. You’re hard to miss.” Heat rushed over me, embarrassment blushing my cheeks. I was starstruck and I hated myself for it. The Guard may have been responsible for the destruction of Riftdremar but it was the King who sent the orders.
The king smiled. “You both look absolutely radiant.”
Osta was frozen solid beside me. She wasn’t even blinking. I nudged her softly.
“Your highness, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. What a lovely ball! Everything is just absolutely perfect.” Osta’s voice went up an octave. I feared she would soon faint.
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” The King responded before looking past us as if he’d lost interest in the conversation. The Queen’s eyes remained locked on me.
“Ashford, we will speak later. It was nice to meet all of you. Fia, welcome. We’re overjoyed to have you in the Guard. I’ve heard you have great potential.” He patted Laryk on the shoulder before taking the Queen’s hand.
“Yes, of course. I’ll come find you after dinner,” Laryk said with a tight smile.
“Pleasure,” I managed to get out as they walked away.
“Osta, darling, are you alright?” Laryk was holding back laughter. I looked over at her. For once, she was paler than me. She nodded shakily.
I helped steady her as Laryk guided us to the table. It was full except for a few empty chairs on both ends. The ones already seated were chatting amongst themselves, alcohol pitching their voices loud enough to easily overhear.
“Did you hear about the Riftborne joining the faction?” One of them attempted to whisper.
“I did hear about it, and it seems to be true.” Laryk leaned in, whispering back in the same tone.
The two guards spun around in their chairs, eyes widening as they saw him.
“Oh–General, I didn’t realize you were standing there,” one of them blurted, heat spreading over his face.
He brushed off the response before directing his attention to the entire table.
“Everyone, meet Fia. Fia, everyone.” He gestured back and forth between us with a flick of his wrist. I didn’t want to read into the exchange, but a part of me felt like he was setting a precedent. Normalizing my attendance.
My skin simmered at the heat of their eyes on me, but I managed a small wave and a gulp. Osta and I sat down, and Laryk took his place at the head of the table. Callum sat to his left. We made eye contact, and he gave me a slight nod.
I scanned the length of the table, taking in what seemed to be fifty members.
A majority of the guards throughout the Keep wore white dress shirts, but everyone at this table wore black.
Although the smallest faction in the Guard, I couldn’t fathom the stores of power that lined the seats before me.
Perhaps this was an army all on its own.
To Laryk’s right sat a woman with crimson-red hair who seemed to be… Was she glaring at me? I quickly looked away and turned to Osta who was already introducing herself to the boy beside her. He bore a round face and chestnut hair. I could tell he was taken aback by Osta’s presence.
“Fia, this is Val, and that’s Gentry across from you!” She chirped, gesturing between us.
When did she have time to get their names?
“Welcome to Venom,” Val said with a grin .
I gave them a shy smile as I said hello. They didn’t seem worried about the markings on our left hands. In fact, they didn’t seem concerned about us at all.
Dinner went by slowly, but I didn’t mind. The food made me feel like I had never truly eaten before. I think we were all moaning as we stuffed ourselves.
Val told me that the chef was plucked from the Western region after the King experienced his dinner menu. Apparently, it caused quite a point of contention between the King and the Lord of Emeraal. When you had a focus like that, I guess it made sense for royalty to literally fight over you.
I leaned towards Osta, “Think they would stare at us in horror if we tried bringing some of this food home?”
She hit my shoulder. “Fia!”
“What? It looks like there is plenty to go around,” I grumbled, slouching down into my chair.
I found my eyes wandering down to the end of the table once again. Laryk was laughing between sips of his wine. I’d never seen him look so carefree. A smile pulled at the corner of my lips, quickly dissipating when I noticed the redhead leaning towards him, her hand disappearing beneath the table.
Laryk leaned back, continuing his conversation with Callum. His hand moved to grip the back of her chair. For a few seconds, her eyes flittered down the table and stopped on me, lips curling into a smile.
“Hey, Gentry,” I said. He turned towards me and leaned in. “What’s her deal?” I gestured towards the head of the table.
“You mean Narissa?” he asked before lowering his tone to a whisper, “I’d steer clear of her if you can manage it. Her focus is absolutely insane . She’s a blood lock. And she won’t hesitate to show you.”
I paused, furrowing my brow in confusion. I’d never heard of that before. “What is tha– ”
“Did you just say shesshs a blood clot ?” Osta slurred, leaning across my lap to join the conversation.
Gentry almost choked on his drink and the four of us burst into a fit of laughter.
By the time we caught our breath, I looked up to see Laryk glaring at me with his jaw clenched, his face now devoid of the previous amusement.
Another hour rolled by, and people began shuffling about, collecting their things. My eyes moved to Laryk, but he was speaking intensely to Mercer and Narissa, who had removed themselves from the table. Whatever they were discussing seemed serious.
I nudged Osta. “I think it’s time.”
We stood from our chairs, and I steadied Osta, sending a silent prayer to the Esprithe for the boat. Walking home would be nearly impossible.
“Are you two leaving? We can escort you out,” said Gentry, stretching his arms to the side.
The four of us made our way through the Keep, heading for the grand entrance we came through only a few hours ago. It seemed like a lifetime had passed since then.
The night had turned out… better than expected. I survived, Osta found some connections, and somehow we had… made some friends? My mind was still reeling from the shock of it all. Gentry and Val were fun and perfectly normal. Something warm stirred in me.
I could see the canal glistening in the moonlight just ahead. Right as we turned to say our goodbyes, a guard strode up behind Gentry, placing a hand on his shoulder. I turned my head away, trying to give them some privacy, but I couldn’t help overhearing their conversation.
“It’s happened again at Stormshire. Looks like we’ll all be deploying tomorrow for the West,” he whispered. I was barely able to make out the words, but his tone gave the impression of haste, maybe even fear.
Gentry and Val turned towards us and quickly said goodnight before disappearing into the crowd. Osta and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows.
We hooked arms before strolling down to the Canal.
I dared a glance back at the Keep, noticing a pair of redheads leaving together, hand in hand. I spun back to face Osta, my face heating as my eyes found the cobblestone pavement.
I reminded myself that I hated him.