Chapter 7 The Treaty Ball
Chapter Seven
The Treaty Ball
Rivka
The grand ballroom shimmered beneath the glow of a thousand chandeliers, their golden light reflecting off the polished marble floors.
Tall, arched windows were draped in deep emerald silk, their folds cascading like waterfalls of fabric.
A sweeping staircase led down to the heart of the festivities, where lords and ladies whispered behind gilded fans.
The scent of roses and candle wax mingled with the distant notes of a waltz played by a full orchestra.
“A bit over the top, don’t you think?” Ellis said, in a stage whisper.
Rivka chuckled. “Behave tonight, El. We have a reputation to uphold.”
Alex, ever the professional, just smirked.
“I hate this part.” Rivka sighed, knowing that everyone would be staring in a moment. More like gawking. Somehow she managed to convince her eyes not to roll and her facial expression to remain composed. In her thirty two years of life, Rivka had never grown to like being the center of attention.
“Well I personally love it.” Ellis said with a wink.
“Of course you do, you’re an attention whore.” Alex grinned, as she playfully pushed his shoulder.
“At your service.” He grinned back at her.
A sudden hush rippled through the hall like a breeze across still water. The Master of Ceremonies, a stately man adorned in ceremonial regalia, strode forward, striking the floor with his ivory staff. The music softened, and all eyes turned toward the grand entrance at the top of the staircase.
“Your Majesties, Her Imperial Grace, Queen Rivka Varon, and His Royal Highness, King Consort Ellis Varon!”
The towering doors, adorned with intricate golden filigree, were held open, revealing the regal pair.
Rivka stood tall, her gown a masterpiece of sapphire velvet and silver embroidery, its sweeping train shimmering with every movement.
Upon her brow, a crown of diamonds and pearls caught the light, making her seem almost ethereal.
Beside her, Ellis cut an imposing yet elegant figure in deep navy, his chest adorned with a ceremonial sash in the Varon Province’s colors.
“Don’t let me trip.” Rivka murmured, barely moving her lips, clutching Ellis’ arm tightly.
“I would never let any harm come to you my love.” Ellis whispered in her ear.
They descended the staircase with effortless grace, each step measured, their presence commanding yet welcoming.
Courtiers bowed and curtsied deeply as they passed, murmuring their reverent greetings.
Rivka acknowledged them with a serene nod, her keen eyes sweeping the room, taking in the opulence, the faces, the shifting currents of whispered conversation.
As they reached the ballroom floor, the music swelled once more, and the dancing began again. A noblewoman, obviously of high standing, approached, and Alex shifted slightly closer to Rivka. The woman curtsied low.
“Your Majesty, we are honored to be in your presence.”
“The honor is mine,” Rivka replied with a genuine smile, extending her hand to touch the woman’s arm.
The woman beamed at Rivka, gushing on how lovely they looked.
Rivka found the woman’s enthusiasm endearing and wished that she had more time but knew they needed to make their rounds.
“We must go and see Queen Vivian, my darling.”, Ellis said, placing his hand on the small of her back. “Please excuse us.”
The noblewoman gave her apologies and moved aside, allowing them to pass.
They made their way around the room, making pleasantries with the guests.
As they drew nearer to Queen Vivian, Rivka grew more tense.
That woman always gave her the creeps, with her icy blue eyes that seemed to pierce straight to your soul. A shiver ran down her spine.
“Why do I always feel like she wants to crawl into my skin?” Ellis whispered with a barely restrained shudder.
“Oh hush! She can probably hear you with her cursed ears, twisted by the whispers of the wicked!” Alex hissed from behind Rivka.
Rivka snickered. “You two are ridiculous!” How these two always managed to ease her tension was something she would never take for granted.
The throne sat atop a raised dais, an imposing masterpiece of green velvet and gilded accents, its high back adorned with intricate carvings of serpents and thorned vines.
At its center sat Queen Vivian, a vision of cruel elegance.
Her gown, black as the abyss, shimmered with emerald embroidery that coiled like vines ensnaring her form.
A heavy crown, dark gold set with glistening jade, rested upon her white hair, framing a face, beautiful and merciless.
Queen Vivian never failed to flaunt the jewels of her Province, nor the riches they provided.
Vivian’s lips curled into a knowing smirk as she stared at Rivka, Ellis, and Alex as they approached. Her sharp blue eyes glinted with amusement, and something far more dangerous. A single gloved finger tapped idly against the armrest, a silent display of patience thinning by the second.
Beside her, Luther, stood rigid, an ominous presence clad in blackened armor etched with sigils of loyalty and fear. His gauntleted hand rested on the hilt of a cruel-looking blade, a silent reminder that defiance in this court had only one end. He sneered at them as they approached the throne.
“Good evening, Vivian.” Rivka said with a respectful nod, “You’ve out done yourself this time. Everything looks marvelous.”
Queen Vivian stared at her for a moment before a cruel smile graced her lips. ‘I do hope that you enjoy your stay here, Rivka, and that you find your room extremely pleasurable.”
Rivka paused, choosing her words with care, “Thank you, I have found it quite pleasurable indeed.” Alex made a choking sound and Ellis out right smiled. “I will leave you to your other guests. Thank you again; you are very gracious.” Rivka said, hastily trying to get away.
Ellis led them around the room, where their table awaited them.
He pulled out the chair for Rivka and she smiled at him, grateful for the help, these skirts were impossible!
Once they were both seated, Alex moved to stand to the left, but slightly behind Rivka, so that she could be within arms reach.
Rivka, as per usual, began people-watching.
She did occasionally love a grand extravaganza; watching the spectacle of swirling gowns, glittering jewels, and whispered intrigues beneath the glow of the candle lit grandeur.
It made her want to dance, to be spun around the ballroom by her love, head thrown back, laughing.
But that could never happen, and Ellis, while he could dance, was always too flamboyant for her tastes.
Rivka’s eyes picked up her parents, Evanar and Queen Regent Sophiana, on the dance floor.
Her mother’s dress was stunning. The navy blue bodice fit her curves perfectly before flaring out at the waist, accentuating her hips and cascading to the floor.
The diamonds around her neck sparkled in the candlelit room.
Her father was just as dashing in his silver coat with blue embroidery, his indigo eyes sparkling as he laughed at something her mother had said.
She was amazed that even after the many years that they had been together, their love still shone so brightly.
It was clear how much he worshipped her, and how much she was devoted to him.
The people loved them too. They were favored among all the provinces, known for their fairness, and fierce defense of citizen’s rights.
Rivka could only hope to be half the queen that her mother was and she longed for a love like theirs, infinite and everlasting.
She had found that with Alex, but politics would forever keep them apart.
They could never openly share their love the way her parents could.
A guard approached their table, bowing at the waist. “Excuse me, Queen Rivka, but we need to steal your Captain for a little while. She is needed for a security brief. Captain McConnell will take over in her stead.”
Alex narrowed her eyes. Rivka knew that Alex didn’t like this guard as he was one of Vivian’s trolls and she could tell that everything in Alex’s gut was telling her to stay.
But Rivka trusted Captain McConnell, even if Alex thought he was an idiot.
Glancing at Ellis, Alex sighed, “Do not let her out of your sight.”
Ellis laughed at her dramatics. “I will protect her with my life.” He pounded his fist on his chest in mock salute.
Alex just rolled her eyes at him but brushed her fingers lightly down Rivka’s arm, leaning in to whisper.
“Don’t get into any trouble while I’m away.
” To anyone looking on, it simply appeared as a bodyguard imparting information to their queen.
Only Ellis was able to see the look that passed between them before she sauntered away.
McConnell stepped into her place immediately.
Rivka couldn’t help watching as Alex’s hips swayed back and forth, the view entirely too enticing. Her mouth watered at the thought of what she had in store for later that evening.
“Careful my Queen or someone may think your drooling is for someone other than me.”
Rivka straightened her back and sighed. The firm set of her lips confirming that once again Ellis was right, not that she would tell him that.
She glanced at him, and noticed that now he seemed to be distracted.
Rivka followed his line of sight straight to Prince Tristan leaning against the wall, looking positively apathetic.
Apart from his indifferent facial expression at this moment, Tristan was an extremely good looking man.
His broad shoulder muscles stretched the seams of his coat and his blonde waves always had that just tousled look.
The sharp lines of his jaw led to full bodied lips, which she assumed would look charming if the man ever smiled.
The depths of his green eyes were always staggering though, such a different, warmer color than his mothers icy blue ones.
Rivka swiveled her head between him and Ellis. Smirking, she casually lifted her napkin to the corner of his mouth.
“Careful there, or someone might see your drool darling.”
Ellis blushed, and simply said, “touché, my Queen, touché.” Standing he scooped her arm into his and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s go get some refreshments.”
It didn’t go unnoticed to Rivka that the move brought them exceptionally closer to the Prince but she held her tongue. When they approached the table, Rivka saw her chance to escape and give the two of them a moment alone.
“Please excuse me, my dear, but I must use the washroom.”, she murmured to Ellis.
“I must go with you. Alex will have my head if I let you out of my sight for even one moment.”, he stated.
She laughed, “Let me handle Ria. I won’t be gone but a minute.”
Ellis
Ellis blew out a breath, watching her rush away.
She was going to be the death of him one day.
He looked up as he turned towards the table, directly into the soft green eyes of Prince Tristan, his stomach muscles tightening.
Tristan’s tall, muscular frame was adorned in a suit of emerald green, his blonde hair falling around his ears in a golden halo.
Shit. Why is he so damn sexy? Rivka might have been right, I might be drooling. Ellis watched as Tristan scanned his body slowly, a glint in his eye. Why is he looking at me like that? Why can’t I ever tell what he’s thinking?
Tristan pushed off the wall, “I see your queen is still as barren as the last time I saw her. Are you sure you’re doing it right?”, he drawled, his full lips tipping up slightly in amusement.
“I’m quite sure you decided a long time ago that that’s none of your business.”, Ellis snapped. “I can see that you’re still without a bride. Were the reviews that bad? Maybe you’re the one who isn’t doing it right. I can give you a few tips if you’d like.”
Tristan bristled. “Thank you for the offer, but I don’t need any tips from you. I know how to handle myself just fine.”
Ellis laughed. “Knowing how to handle yourself and acting upon it are different things. You are your mother’s minion and a Rune Prince after all, always sure to do exactly what mommy tells you to.”
Tristan stilled, his spine stiffening, as he stared at Ellis. “You know…you’re not worth it.” He looked as if he might say something else but Luther, seemingly materialized out of nowhere, bumping into Tristan, splashing his drink on him.
“Dammit, Luther! Shouldn’t you be guarding my mother instead of indulging. You’ve probably ruined this jacket.”
“My dear boy, I am so incredibly sorry for this mishap.” Luther pulled a handkerchief from his breast pocket and began to dab at Tristan's jacket.
Tristan snatched the cloth from Luther, wiping down his hands and face, giving up when it did nothing to aid in ridding the stickiness off his skin. He sighed and only then looked up to see Ellis failing to hide his laughter; Luther somehow miraculously vanished.
Tristan stalked off, exiting through the door that Rivka had passed through earlier, leaving Ellis standing there smirking like an idiot.
Ok, so they both may be the death of me.
Clearly some things will never change. Ellis thought, turning back to watch the dancers.
He noticed McConnell coming towards him.
Shit, Rivka ditched him too!?! She really does want me to die tonight!
Letting out a huff of annoyance, he headed towards McConnell to hopefully assuage his obvious anxiety.
He would hunt Rivka down himself and give her a piece of his mind.
No way was she getting away with this one.