Chapter 34
The final night of the betrothal celebrations was designed to make its guests feel happy and joyful. Instead, unease coils tight beneath my ribs, making every breath a struggle.
The palace courtyard is transformed, washed in oceanic blues and greens, as if the sea itself has spilled into the pristine stone.
Glittering crystals dangle from the upper balconies, catching the light and scattering it in fractured brilliance. The crowd is thicker than ever, elegantly clad bodies packed close, voices layered with laughter and anticipation.
Soft music drifts from the musicians tucked into the corner of the second balcony, their melody weaving through the air like a spell meant to soothe.
And maybe it does.
Just not for me.
Anders left my side a moment ago to grab two flutes of sparkling liquid currently clutched in every guest’s hands.
From my position underneath the first-story balcony, I stare at the palace doors.
A stream of citizens strolls through the wide opening, carrying with them scents and sounds from a town where I’ve spent no time.
Every single person wears an expression of awe as they take in the splendor.
Doubt tickles the back of my mind.
What if the discontent Hali spoke of isn’t as widespread as she claimed?
But then I see the children.
Walking in a straight line with their heads held high, five boys and two girls glide into the celebration from a hall leading to the interior of the palace. I’d guess they range in age from twelve to fifteen.
Their clothing is as fine as that of the adults wandering the space, just as vibrant and in a similar style. The girls’ hair is adorned with seashells and pearls. The boys’ strands are gelled down, sleek and formal. They look healthy. Content. But stoic.
The woman who escorted them in wears servants’ attire similar to Thea’s. She guides them to stand along the side of the room. The children obey, hands clasped in front of them.
They don’t smile.
Even now, with all the luxurious beauty surrounding them, their expressions are subdued. Empty.
These children have been denied a true childhood. They’ve been denied family.
Depending on when their power manifested, who knows how long they’ve been wards of the palace. Their entire existence has been focused on their future service to Virendrell.
“Control your face.” Hali slides up beside me.
A lovely fuchsia gown hangs from her shoulders. Her throat and wrists are adorned with strands and bands of gold.
“Or you’ll give the plan away before we can even begin.”
I smooth my furrowed brow. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She takes a sip from the crystal flute clutched between her fingers as her gaze slides to the line of well-dressed children. “It’s a good sign that you care.”
I nod and turn in the opposite direction. “There are a lot of people here tonight.”
“Yes. This contest is going to be quite the spectacle.” She grimaces, then downs the rest of her drink.
Immediately, she lifts the glass in the air, trying to summon a server for another.
“Is everything all right?”
“It will be.” She lowers the glass and rolls back her shoulders. “Have you seen Rian yet?”
“No.” I pretend the fact doesn’t bother me.
“Then who escorted you here?”
“Anders. Which reminds me, I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“I—”
“Hello, Hali.” Anders appears in front of us, blocking the rest of the room from view.
The medallion centered on his chest gleams under the candlelight as he holds two glasses. He offers one to me and the other to Hali.
A dark-red color creeps up Hali’s neck, and she snatches the drink from his hands. “What are you doing here?”
I blink at the hostile tone, then take the drink Anders offers with careful fingers.
Anders smiles. “Ah, didn’t Elara tell you? I’m in on your scheme.”
Her eyes grow wide and swing to me. “Did you—”
“You are not as sneaky as you believe,” Anders cuts off her impending accusation. “And you’ve known for many weeks that I’ve wanted to help you.”
Weeks?
“I don’t believe you,” Hali hisses. “And I certainly don’t trust you.”
“Then trust this.” He moves closer, his head tilted down, holding Hali’s volatile stare with an imposing one of his own. “I will do anything to honor my sister’s memory and preserve my family’s honor. And that includes getting my great-nephew out of here.”
Shock ripples through Hali’s expression, but her glare sharpens the next second. “Does he know that?”
“He will.”
“He won’t go willingly,” she counters.
“He won’t have a choice.”
I look between the two, curiosity rising with each word exchanged.
“Who is your great-neph—”
A series of loud bells chime.
The music stops, and conversation ceases for a single breath before it billows into hushed murmurs with broad smiles and bouncing feet.
“Ugh.” Hali groans. “Here we fucking go.”
She tips her head and tosses back the crystal flute’s contents before shoving it into Anders’s chest.
The Mountain Fae takes it without budging, but the smile playing on his lips grows. “Have fun, Hali. But not too much fun.”
“Screw you, Anders,” she bites out, then loops her arm through mine.
“If only.” He laughs and shoots me a wink. “Good luck, Elara. I’ll see you later.”
Before I can say a word, Hali takes my untouched drink, swallows it in one gulp, and tosses it at Anders.
The Fae catches the flute with ease, earning a scowl from Hali before she tugs me away.
She leads me to the right, away from the direction the rest of the crowd is moving. A glance over my shoulder confirms they’re all heading inside the palace.
“Where is everyone going?”
“The ballroom. The final contest is about to start.”
We turn down an unfamiliar hall.
A servants’ corridor.
I lengthen my strides to keep up with her pace. The slit in my skirt parts, revealing the fancy pearl-encrusted sandals.
“Why are you dragging me along?” I huff. “Surely I can watch with the rest of the crowd.”
Hali’s steps don’t falter, but her brows knit as she flicks a look my way. “Mother, help you. Do you truly not know?”
A cold weight settles in my gut. “Know what?”
The corridor leads to a lone wooden door.
Hali’s free hand curls around the handle, and she meets my gaze with a regretful one of her own. “You’re part of the contest.”
My thoughts stall.
I’m what?
“No.” I shake my head. “That’s not possible.”
“Don’t you remember? Leto chose you as his companion for the final contest.”
Vague mentions of a contest and dancing flicker in my mind, but I fail to make sense of what’s happening.
“I don’t know what that means,” I confess.
“That snake,” Hali snaps. “Of course he didn’t explain it.”
“To be fair,” a masculine voice joins the conversation. “It wasn’t my doing.”
Hali and I whirl around.
Leto stands in the middle of the corridor. His smile is bright, but the skin around his eyes is tight.
He wears a toga that showcases his broad torso and leaves his muscular biceps exposed. And its color is a perfect match for mine.
Hali shakes off her surprise first.
“What do you mean?” she challenges. “You absolutely knew Elara was to be your partner tonight.”
“I’ve been trying to get her out of it.” His eyes shift to mine. “No offense.”
“None taken.” I don’t even know what the hells is going on.
“You still should have warned her,” Hali seethes. “She’s not prepared for this…spectacle.”
“What is the big deal?” I ask, voice wary. “It’s just a dance.”
Hali and Leto’s pitying glances raise the hair on the back of my neck.
I gulp. “Isn’t it?”
She shakes her head slowly. “No, Elara. It’s part of the betrothal contest. The dance is meant to be a test for the betrothed couple.”
I frown. “A test, how?”
Leto runs a hand over his perfectly styled hair. “The winners of the previous contests are meant to seduce the couple. Or try to, at least.”
I gape. “Why in the six hells would they do that?”
“To prove Jason and Daphne’s devotion to one another before they wed tomorrow,” he replies, matter-of-fact.
Emotion is noticeably absent from his tone.
He continues, “The contestants who won a competition this week will be here tonight. And whoever proves to be the most…alluring with their partner will be declared the ultimate winner of the betrothal contest.”
This is insane.
“And who decides that?” I ask.
“Helen,” Hali spits out.
My mouth falls open.
The groom’s mother will decide who best seduces her son?
The situation was already gross, but that makes it even worse.
I snap my lips closed. “Are you telling me that after all the contestants' demonstrations of strength and power, this is how they will decide the winner?”
This is what the mayor and his wife demand of their most powerful citizens in order to earn a favor?
“Yes.” Hali seethes.
“That’s…” I shake my head. “That’s idiotic.”
“Indeed,” Leto replies, shifting the fabric over one of his muscular shoulders. “But it is beyond our control.”
Another series of bells chime, echoing down the hall, bouncing around my head along with my racing pulse.
“That’s our cue.” Leto holds out his hand and curls his lips into what’s meant to be a charming smile: it’s clearly strained. “Shall we?”
I stare at the handsome man. “Do I have to?”
He doesn’t lower his arm. “All my hard work will be for naught if you don’t. I cannot choose another companion this close to the contest.”
A pang pricks my chest.
“This is low, Leto,” Hali clips out. “Even for you.”
A flicker of pain crosses his eyes. And I get the sense that his confident act is just that… An act.
I press my lips together.
Leto withheld the truth from me.
He could have told me what to expect tonight. He could have been honest instead of allowing me to walk into this evening blind.
But, as a healer, I’ve learned how to read people.
And it’s clear that both Leto and I were manipulated into this situation.
For what purpose? I don’t know.
But I can’t let Leto suffer from circumstances out of his control. I know, all too well, how much that stings.
I place my palm in his.
Relief flows into his handsome features, and his smile turns more genuine as his fingers close around mine.
“Thank you,” he exhales.
Hali mutters a curse under her breath.
“You’re welcome.” I straighten my neck. “Just don’t make me regret this.”
The spark returns to his eyes. “I won’t. Now, how about you and I put on a show?”