Chapter 27 #3
“Oh, hells,” he muttered. “Are those…?”
“Lightguards,” Corinne whispered.
Mother Creita’s eyes landed on her, then, as if she’d heard her.
Her disapproving expression turned absolutely livid for a half second before she smoothed her face into a mask of serenity again.
Behind her stood Chala and Bria, and beside them was a familiar face that once would have brought Corinne great comfort, and now only sent a knife of grief between her ribs.
Vera. She was due at the castle the following morning, but Corinne had hoped tonight would distract her from that fact.
Corinne stood as straight as she could as Mother Creita and the others approached her and Aryel, trying to hide her arm behind her skirts. The crowd around them parted easily for the Priestesses and Vera, a few of them watching with interest while others ignored them after a cursory glance.
“Corinne,” Mother Creita said, her voice smooth.
Corinne bowed. Please don’t look down. Please don’t look down.
“Mother Creita,” she said. She gestured to Aryel. “This is Prince Aryel Serra.”
“It is an honor to meet the heir of Ashera,” Mother Creita said, bowing, and the others did the same.
“Likewise,” Aryel said. “An honor to meet the Lightguards responsible for treating Corinne with such love and respect.”
Even if her fellow Lightguards didn’t catch the edge to his voice, Corinne did. Don’t be a fool, Ari.
“Please,” Aryel said, gesturing away from the dance floor as people gathered to start another number. “Allow me to introduce you to my parents.”
Mother Creita nodded once, and they all followed Aryel off to the side of the room to avoid stepping through a sea of dancers. Corinne remained to their right sides as much as possible, still hiding her arm.
Queen Erina stood from her throne at their approach.
“Mother Creita,” she said, a saccharine smile plastered on her face. “Welcome to Vytanos.”
“You honor us by inviting us into your home, Your Majesty,” Mother Creita said, smiling in return.
Corinne tried to breathe as evenly as she could. Vera wouldn’t look at her, but she had no way of knowing whether the others had noticed the missing scar on her right arm. How long did they intend to stay at the ball? Surely no more than a few minutes.
“Corinne has been a glimmer of hope and comfort in these trying times,” Queen Erina said, snapping Corinne’s attention back to the conversation at hand. “We are ever grateful that one of Helaera’s Swords has offered her service to us.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Mother Creita said. “Corinne is one of our strongest and most devoted. She is held in the highest regard even amongst those at the monastery.”
Corinne forced her face to remain neutral. The lie hurt far more than the truth. Beside his mother, Aryel caught her eye and held her gaze. He breathed in slowly, reminding Corinne to do the same, and her heart slowed, at least a little.
“Well, please enjoy yourselves,” Queen Erina said, gesturing to the dancing and food. “We have more than enough to share.”
“Your generosity is unmatched,” Mother Creita said with a bow. “But this is no place for us. We will retire for the evening.”
“Of course,” Queen Erina said. “There are servants outside who can show you to your rooms for the night. I look forward to our meeting tomorrow.”
Corinne hadn’t known Mother Creita would come for a meeting here, hadn’t been informed that they would be in attendance tonight. They truly didn’t trust her anymore, even with the most innocuous information.
Still, perhaps luck was on her side. The Lightguards made to leave.
Mother Creita was nearly past Corinne when her hand lifted from her robes and gripped Corinne’s right forearm so hard she nearly cried out.
“We will discuss this later,” she hissed in Corinne’s ear.
Ice overtook Corinne’s insides again when the High Priestess released her. She’d been such a fool to think they wouldn’t notice, to think that wearing this gown, indulging in this party, dancing with Aryel wouldn’t result in further punishment.
It seemed she would never regain their trust or respect, if she’d even had it in the first place.
“Aryel, I’d like you to speak with Lady Vivre,” the queen was saying as Corinne turned to Aryel again. He hadn’t taken his eyes off her and now tore his gaze away to focus on his mother. “She has been rather quiet since her arrival at the castle, and I want her to feel welcome.”
“Yes, Mother,” he said. He threw an apologetic glance in Corinne’s direction, and she clenched her fists.
Control, Corinne. You have a duty to fulfill. She was to watch and guard Aryel tonight, and that was precisely what she would do.
Aryel didn’t approach the noblewoman his mother had mentioned right away; instead, he headed straight for Nik and Danai, who were sitting by a small table in front of a window. They spoke briefly before both of her friends stood and immediately headed in her direction.
“Hi, Corinne,” Danai said, their voice gentle.
“Hi, Danai.” It was all she could manage.
“Mind if we stand with you?” Nik asked.
Corinne shook her head, and they did so, taking up a post on either side of her.
The knot within her began to loosen and unravel again. She hadn’t done anything to deserve such kindness from them, or from Aryel, and yet here they were, standing steadily beside her.
“Oh my,” Nik said quietly. “I believe Lana’s had too much to drink.”
Corinne looked over to the food table, where Lana was indeed swaying as she made her way to Janus. She flopped into his arms, several people around them scattering. Janus spoke briefly to her parents before escorting her from the room.
“Truly unfair,” Danai said, shaking their head. “When I get that drunk, it’s a dishonor to my family and a week’s worth of double shifts.”
Corinne couldn’t help but chuckle, and Danai nudged her side gently.
They remained where they were for three more songs, the latter two with Aryel dancing with other nobles that didn’t require Corinne’s intervention. Before the next piece began, Aryel hurried away from the center of the room.
“I think I’m ready to retire,” he said breathlessly, hands on his hips. “Are you two going to stay a while?”
“We may have another drink,” Nik said, shrugging as he stepped forward and reached for Danai. “I hope your birthday was enjoyable, Your Highness.”
Aryel grimaced. “Please, call me Aryel. And thank you both for coming.”
Danai and Nik bowed before departing, smiling at Corinne as well.
“Shall we?” Aryel said, jerking his head toward the exit.
Corinne nodded. She’d made it.