CHAPTER 28
While the magic in the palace halls might’ve been thick enough to taste, it was there – at Luminessia – that enchantment seemed to touch everything. Everything from the gilded tables loaded with glistening, steaming food, to the hundreds of faeries that socialised around us, their unusually coloured hair and skin shimmering in the light. Even the servants were well-dressed for the occasion, wearing ruffled shirts and velvet waistcoats.
There were no windows in the ballroom, but it didn’t seem to matter as the dark-walled chamber was spectacularly lit up by thousands of glowing faery lights. They floated around the ceiling as though they were fireflies, casting shadows against the black, glittering floor. Glancing down, it was like floating over the night sky as my feet padded against it.
“This way, Princess.” The twins led the way in their matching ruby gowns. There was no music playing yet; the only sounds being the excited whispers from the surrounding fae.
“Any minute now Arenn will make his appearance, then the fun begins!” Elsie shot me a grin. Thankfully, before we’d left, the girls had fussed with their own outfits, taking a full minute to decide who would get to wear their mother’s emerald necklace. Eventually, Elara had emerged victorious, and Elsie settled for a sapphire choker. I was just grateful for a way to tell them apart.
The twins ushered me towards a quieter area on the dancefloor, with a good view of an empty balcony near the back of the ballroom. They babbled eagerly, but I was too focused on the faery lights that were now a little too bright and the sheer amount of fae bustling in the hall.
I was really going to need some of that faery wine soon.
“Dearest guests!” a booming voice bellowed from the balcony.
My head snapped up. Dressed in a black, gold-embroidered overcoat was King Bevan. He peered down upon us from his position on the balcony, leaning over the railing. An extravagant flower crown sat proudly on his greying hair, while golden jewellery set with gemstones as big as my fists adorned the rest of his body.
“I stand before you here tonight to announce the beginnings of Luminessia, the highly anticipated celebration where my dear son, Prince Arenn, will choose his bride.”
His speech continued, but it didn’t take long before my attention was snatched away by someone making loud gobbling sounds nearby. Elsie had pinched a bowl of candied fruits from the buffet and was wolfing each one down, ignoring the glares from the surrounding fae and the burning disdain from her sister.
As I watched her, a sniffle of laughter breached my throat. Her distraction was a welcome one.
“Soon, we will invite all eligible ladies to the dance floor.” My hearing shifted back to the King, who was gesturing broadly at the floor below him. “But first, please welcome my beloved son, and the reason for our celebration tonight, Prince Arenn.”
Starlight cape billowing behind him, the prince marched out from behind his father. As he reached the balcony, a roar of intense claps and cheers erupted over the ballroom. Even Elsie paused her chomping for a brief moment to whoop in her brother’s direction. Lifting a hand, the prince waved to the crowds, and as he flashed a dazzling smile, I could’ve sworn a faery girl fainted nearby. It was difficult, but I resisted the urge to check on her. Nobody can die from swooning, right?
“Cherished citizens,” Arenn announced, his velvety voice silencing the crowd. “I am so honoured that you have all gathered here today to celebrate my enchanting night. For so many years, I have dreamt of what this evening would bring, and now as I look out upon a sea of captivating faces, I cannot wait to finally meet my bride.”
Thunderous applause rippled through the fae, and a few brave young ladies squealed with excitement, jumping and flailing their arms, desperate for even a trickle of attention. The adoration seemed to make the prince’s skin glow as he basked in their awe.
“Now please, enjoy the festivities, and may you all be blessed with true love tonight.” Arenn ended his speech with a bold flourish as rose petals began to rain down from the ceiling. The audience went wild trying to catch them, each wanting to touch a little piece of him, even if it was a mere conjured rose petal.
But the second he’d disappeared from the balcony, my focus wasn’t on the falling roses. Instead, I searched around for the one thing I needed most.
Wine.
The growing excitement in the room had done nothing to slow the anxiety that was now in full bloom in my chest. Everything around me felt like it was racing. I needed something to dull my senses. So, when a servant pushed by with a tray of crystal goblets, I snatched one and immediately swept it up to my lips. Whatever warnings the twins had given me were long forgotten by the time the sweet liquid pooled in my throat. It was so delicious, I couldn’t stop tipping the goblet more and more. The taste reminded me of sugary fruits…
Fresh plums.
Honey syrup.
Sweet—oh. It was all gone.
As I dragged the goblet slowly away from my lips, any nearby fae swirled into a mishmash of brilliant colours. Breathing in deep, my body began to twirl in place. I didn’t know at what point the faery music started, but by the time it did, I was already dancing. Before I knew it, two other faeries took my hands, or maybe I took theirs – who knows? The memory was foggy. Either way, I was swept into a vast, endlessly spinning dance circle. Uncontrollable giggles bounced off my chest as we danced and danced and danced, only stopping when a pair of strong, familiar hands found my waist and rudely plucked me out from the circle.
“You’ve had some wine, little human,” a male voice tutted as I spun around to face him.
Before me stood a tall, devastatingly handsome faery. But not just any faery – a prince. The same prince I’d kissed in the Crystal Caverns less than a week ago. As the wine swirled my thoughts, all I could think about was the way his mouth had explored mine, and how I desperately wanted him to do it again – right here in the middle of this ballroom.
“I’ve done nothing wrong!” I teased back with a pout. “I was just innocently enjoying myself, dancing with my new friends.”
“Your new friends?” He tilted his head, replying in an amused tone. “I’ll have to remind my sisters to keep a closer eye on you.”
“I’m having fun!”
“I’m not denying that,” he chuckled. My breath stilled as his hands trailed down from my exposed shoulders to my fingertips. Once he reached them, he interlocked my fingers in his and tugged me towards his chest. “But the wine is blinding you, sweet princess. You don’t see what I see.”
“And what is that?”
His lips brushed my ear, voice dropping to a low whisper. “Every faery’s eyes on you.”
Before I could protest, he lifted a slender finger to my chin and tilted it slowly to the side. In a wine-soaked blend of colours, I could just about make out the hazy figures of several faeries. I couldn’t tell if he was right – if they were even watching me – but either way, I could feel stares burning into my neck.
“Shall we give them a show?” His voice vibrated in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. Then, his lips were on mine again, but only for a short beautiful moment before they pulled away. The hand that was by my chin dropped to my waist while the other lifted my unsuspecting arm as I was whisked into a slow waltz.
Like two swans on a misty lake, we glided around the dance floor. With every minute Arenn held me in his arms, more space cleared for us. And the moment my gaze flicked from him to the hundreds of fae now in awe of our dance, his velvety voice lured me back.
“Dance for them, Princess. But keep your eyes on me. Only me.” Then, he lifted me high into the air, my skirts flowing in a wide spectacular circle around us. Gasps echoed from the surrounding crowd, and once again, Arenn seemed to bask in their adoration as he flashed our audience a glowing smile. This was supposed to be a special moment, just for the two of us, so why did I feel like I was merely a prop while he played the starring role?
When he finally lowered my body, he tucked me close to his chest as we continued waltzing. I couldn’t deny that he was an excellent dancer. And with his effortless way of speaking and charming faery features, it was no wonder that he was so popular here. Still, even with our limbs entangled in this way, I couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling that something wasn’t right. Our bodies fit together so perfectly, but did our minds? He was handsome, but what else?
I needed more.
“So, Prince Arenn,” I began, trying my hardest to keep the wine from slurring my words.
He tilted his chin down to smile upon me. “Yes, little human?”
“I’ve been thinking—”
“Beware of thinking too deeply. Sometimes simple thoughts develop into dangerous ideas,” he warned, patting my waist with his fingers before returning his gaze to the audience.
My eyes narrowed, but ignoring his dismissal, I pressed on anyway, “I was going to ask…” His attention snapped back to me. “What do faery children study at school?”
A silky laugh caught in his throat. “Are my dancing skills so bad that you would rather speak of my education?” He lifted my arm to twirl me in place.
“Not at all,” I answered when I flew back to his chest. “I just want to learn more about you.”
“Curious human.”
A few moments passed before I realised that he had absolutely no intention of answering my question. So, with a huff, I tried again, “How about this? What’s your favourite thing to do? You know, when you’re not being a prince?”
Give me something. I need something more than just this fiery attraction between us.
Sighing defeatedly, he drawled, “I have a garden. I like to visit and tend to the flowers sometimes. Perhaps I’ll show it to you if you stop with the relentless questions.”
“I only asked you two!”
Something devious flickered across his face as he paused our dance. “You know I can use magic to silence you?”
An odd tingle settled upon my lips, making my tongue feel tired and heavy. But thankfully, the feeling vanished just as quickly as it appeared as a loud shriek pierced through the ballroom. The sound cast a heavy silence over the entire dance floor.
“Oh, Elsie, stop this at once!” I heard Elara’s familiar chime following the scream. “You’re being disgusting, spit it out!” Despite her lilting voice, she sounded furious.
Whipping my head towards the source, I noticed the two auburn-haired girls bickering near a buffet table. Arenn groaned as he spotted them too, signalling the musicians to resume their song with a frustrated flick of his wrist.
“Ignore my sisters,” he muttered while holding me close. “They’ve always been overly fond of the dramatics.”
Letting out a relieved sigh, I went to pull my gaze away from the pair, but then I noticed something that made me freeze. Elsie was gripping her throat, stooping over the buffet table in an awkward, unnatural way. Eyes wide as the moon, she panicked and flapped her hands as if she wanted to speak, but no words would come out. It was only when I caught her fingers shifting to a deathly shade of blue that a fire lit within me as I pieced together just what was happening to her.
“She’s choking,” I gasped, using both hands to shove myself away from the prince. Arenn barely had a chance to understand what I’d said before I sprung into action, rushing over to the panicking girl. Even Elara looked like she might faint as I shared her sister’s condition and urged her to step aside, but I ignored her sudden paling. She was not my patient right now.
Aiming the heel of my palm between Elsie’s shaking shoulder blades, I tried desperately to recall my lessons.
In my head, my teacher’s voice rang out loud and clear: ‘While supporting the body, deliver five sharp blows to the upper back.’
Sending a silent prayer to the Ancients that I was remembering correctly, I swung down my hand, hard and fast.
WHACK
WHACK
WHACK
WHACK
WHACK
Five sharp blows were delivered to the back, but Elsie continued clutching at her throat, turning an even more alarming shade of teal.
“Come on, Elsie, work with me. Cough it out!” I ordered, but it was no use. My arm strained as her body grew heavier beneath me, and her knees began to buckle. If I didn’t help her soon, this ball would take an incredibly dark turn.
‘If back blows fail to clear the obstruction, give the patient five abdominal thrusts.’
“Please let this work,” I whispered, positioning myself behind her and wrapping my arms tightly around her waist. Placing my fist just above her navel, I took a deep breath. Then, using all my force, I thrusted my fist upwards five times. Each time, I moved with a more intense, more fierce determination.
“Come on, Elsie!” I begged.
Finally, with one last desperate thrust, a soaking wet candied plum flew across the ballroom. A collective gasp echoed from the faeries who’d gathered around us, and as Elsie erupted into a fit of coughs and wheezes, relief washed over me like a sudden, cleansing rain.
“Dearest sister!” Elara sobbed, swooping in to hug her twin the second I stepped back. “Oh, you foolish, stupid, greedy thing! You could have died!” A sharp crack sounded as she slapped her sister clean across the cheek, then shook her furiously.
Definitely unhinged.
“I could’ve lost you… over a plum!” she cried. “Never do that to me again!” The fury turned to tears as she sobbed again, this time embracing her sister in a tight hug.
There was a brief quiet as they held each other, until a few faeries who had witnessed the whole ordeal began to clap. Those few claps quickly morphed into cheers, and soon enough, there was a thunderous applause that echoed through the entire ballroom.
Twisting away from the girls, my gaze was filled with wide-eyed fae, all clapping and cheering wildly. A few even had thankful tears, which they quickly swiped away before continuing their raucous applause. Their reaction seemed extreme, but I supposed it made sense. I had just saved their Princess.
At the forefront of the applause, Prince Arenn clapped his hands along with the rest of the fae, his starlight cape still draped from his broad shoulders. His amber eyes were glossy with shock and something else…
Whatever it was, it faded in moments as held up his hand high in the air, signalling for the applause to stop. “To all the fae who have gathered here tonight, I would like to make an announcement.”
Silence drowned out their cheers. Even Elara ceased her sobbing to stare expectantly at her brother.
“Princess Naria.” He stepped forward, his entire body focused on me as if I was a single glowing light in a room filled with never-ending darkness. “Ever since I first laid my eyes upon you, strange as the circumstances may have been, I’ve known that you would be someone special. A gift sent straight from the Spirits, right into my waiting arms. There has never been anyone more beautiful, more kind, more noble, and now that I have just witnessed you save my dear sister’s life –” he paused, looking long and hard at Elsie then back to me – “there has never been anyone more perfect to be my bride.”