Chapter 51 #2
The door shut and Adrion sighed. I was not surprised when he smoothed out my hair and my skirts. "There, looking as regal as you were, my dear warrior," he muttered. Then said, "Let's mingle around and then call it an early night, perhaps food poisoning would be a good excuse."
"No," I suddenly said, Adrion raised an eyebrow. I blushed. "As much as I would love that plan. My family... the arena. They're supposed to be performing tonight, Adrion."
"And you would love to see them," the prince answered, giving me a reassuring smile.
"Yes." I let out a relieved breath and met his smile.
"Consider it done," he answered.
***
The guests were seemingly more cheerful and louder due to the consumption of all the wine distributed.
Colfe, the foul man, was spotted holding court with a noble woman in front of a fountain that sprouted golden champagne.
If no one was looking, I bet that he'd be swimming in it.
I couldn't help but wonder what Red was up to and if he was having fun wherever he was stationed.
Izlana stood beside her brother, whispering to him with her eyes darting to me from time to time.
They could be plotting against me and yet somehow, I held no fear of what they might bring because something inside me made me feel sure of myself.
Adrion frowned as he looked among the guests and the still open garden that was vacant.
"What's the matter?" I asked. The prince continued to stare at the garden to then look up the dais where his father was seated.
The king, as if feeling eyes were on him, caught Adrion's gaze.
"The arena warriors have not arrived yet. They're late." Something inside me plummeted. I realised it was hope, slowly falling in specks.
"What do you mean? They’re never late. Where are they?" The questions came out in a flurry. Adrion put a palm on my shoulder and squeezed. "You will see them. My father might know something; I’ll speak to him," Adrion spoke softly and left my side to walk up the dais.
The hairs on my arm stood just then. The shadows inside me swirled and my defences were raised. A bright flash of a knife, the dark figure moved so quickly beside the dais that I almost thought my eyes were fooling me. A royal guard beside me brushed past and everything happened in slow motion.
"Adrion, get down!" My voice was loud enough to quieten the room; I forcefully took the spear out of the guard's hand.
Adrion turned to look at me startled, yet complied when I threw the spear.
It soared through the air hard and fast, going above his head towards the king, the guard I had taken the spear from, pushed me into the ground.
The spear struck its target and made a sickening sound when blood splashed onto the golden floor.
The dark figure, who had been mere inches from killing the king, collapsed to the ground.
Screams erupted and the crowd became chaos.
"Let go of her, you fool," a voice said from behind me. "Can't you see she just saved the King from an assassin?" Diavelo shoved the guard off with the flick of a finger.
The king rose up from his throne, eyes wide, darting from me to the figure on the floor.
Diavelo then stood in front of me and whispered, "You might want to close your eyes.
" Was all he said before blinding light shot through the room.
The room smelled bitterly sweet and overwhelming with light magic.
I squinted from behind Diavelo, watching as the king created a sharp trident of light that looked like it had been cut from the sun itself.
"Who sent you?" The king lifted the dark hooded figure whose throat gurgled up and spat out blood.
The assassin spoke lowly and said something into the king's ears that made him snarl and shove the trident into the man's head, causing the body to explode and leave nothing but ash in its place.
The little girl inside my mind cowered and I couldn't help but look away.
Diavelo moved his head to cover my view, my body was trembling and I was sure he could feel it.
My eyes found Adrion who was shouting orders to the guards, shutting the doors and securing the area.
My eyes went back up to the dais, to the king who now stared at Diavelo and myself.
"The ball is over. Adrion, in my study. Now!" Was all the king said before he turned to leave. Adrion complied to his father before making his way to me, nearly looking as though he could chew off Diavelo for simply being near me.
"Your prince is nearing. Think of my offer, Morana, or else I will have to take matters into my own hands," Diavelo spoke lowly, I refused to acknowledge the shiver that overcame me when he said my name.
One minute he was there, the next he was not.
Disappearing without a trace except for the scent of pure unrelenting power that lingered.
"Are you alright?" Adrion caught my hand in his.
"I-I'm fine."
Izlana, whose eyes were trained on Adrion, then moved to me as she was led out of the ballroom by a guard. She tried to resist and make her way to Adrion, but her brother caught her arm and led her away. A funny unsettling feeling tugged at my heart. Something was wrong.
Something was very wrong...
"My family, Adrion. Where are they?" I asked.
The prince squeezed my palm and answered calmly, "They crossed our borders just fine. The guards reported it to me this afternoon. I’ll inquire with the king and Cillian on their whereabouts within Apollo in the meeting room.
" The prince sounded calm and yet my anxiety seemed to spike.
I had seen Rhey today... he was fine. They must have all been fine, my racing heart began to slow down to its usual steady beat.
"Rest tonight. I will see you in the morning with more information.
" He squeezed my cold hands in the warmth of his.
I believed him. And yet, believing was the very thing that had disappointed me in my past.