Chapter 3
‘They will never accept us together, Evyen. Perhaps this is for the best.’
— Written correspondence from Tinyrah Kazimyr to Evyen Deyanira (Pre-Division)
Airess
Tonight would be the night. Airess had decided.
She had conjured up a half-baked plan, a last-minute effort to escape during the waltz tonight. Would her plan go sideways? Probably. It was more of a suicide mission than an escape plan, but she had to do something. She had to try.
The glass was cold beneath her fingertips as Airess pressed her body close to the bedroom window.
Anxiety bubbled in her stomach, hundreds of guests beginning to file into the castle for her engagement ball below.
If she wasn’t a nervous wreck, she would take delight in how the differing ball gowns and suits looked like a kaleidoscope of colors.
She usually found beauty in even the most mundane parts of life.
It wasn’t as if Airess had any other choice but to master the art of observation during her confinement.
She saw a flash of white in her peripheral, her head snapping to see a snow-white owl landing on a tree branch.
Airess’ face relaxed slightly at the sight of the familiar bird that showed up every once in a while.
She watched it, its round head cocking to the side, milky gray eyes narrowing as if it were asking a question.
“At least we have each other,” Airess whispered quietly, knowing even though the bird couldn’t hear her, it helped calm her nerves in some odd, lonely way.
It was strange—the bird, always seemed to appear, either outside her bedroom window or perched on a branch during her strolls in the gardens.
Airess assumed it lived here from seeing it over the years, and liked to think the bird had grown fond of her.
Her chamber doors opened, a team of attendants entering, including the seamstress, Esper, to help her change into her ballgown.
They bustled around the room, each one of them assigned to a different task.
Airess sat in front of her vanity while hands tugged at her hair and face, applying fragrant face powder and roseate lipstain to her features.
She felt the cold sensation of the necklace queen Melanth had given her the day prior being fastened around her neck, the piece of jewelry feeling more like a branding than a gift. Airess sucked in as Esper pulled at the corset strings.
Finally, they were done. They dressed her in a long-sleeved royal blue gown, the sturdy corset sucking in her frame.
The square neckline of the dress showcased her breasts.
The skirt was conservative, not too large or too thin, the azure fabric spilling down to the floor.
Her hair had been styled half-up-half-down, the front pieces of her hair curled in ringlets. She was the epitome of Luciena fashion.
Airess sighed, blowing a ringlet to the side and flattened her dress with sweaty palms.
The seamstress stood in front of her and smiled, her gaze lingering on the snake emblem at her neck. “A rather busy piece of jewelry,” she muttered as she fished around in her bag.
Airess raised a brow in curiosity, intrigued by the seamstress's obvious dislike. Esper was a new addition to the royal staff, only arriving in Luciena a few weeks ago. Airess ought to warn the Human woman that such words could land her in a prison cell.
Esper brought out a thin necklace, dangling it in the air before Airess. “Consider this my wedding gift, dear. I would think less is best for such a beautiful dress, wouldn’t you?”
Airess grabbed the necklace and inspected it. The golden chains were definitely old and dirtied with time. It was a locket, a small golden heart the size of a coin, considerably smaller in size than the statement piece she currently wore.
“Why thank you, Esper, but the queen gave me this necklace to wear—”
“Meh!” The old woman waved a hand. “Young ladies should be the ones to determine what jewelry they wear. Trust me, you’ll want to wear this tonight instead.” The seamstress's tone was uncharacteristically serious.
Airess didn’t even get her reply out before Esper stepped behind her and unfastened the queen’s necklace and replaced it with a locket.
The new locket was fastened, the small heart resting above her breasts.
Airess smiled softly as she touched it. “I love it. Thank you.” It was probably the first gift she’d received by anyone in years.
Knock, knock, knock!
A fist banged on the door impatiently. Airess felt a burst of agitated energy hit her in waves from outside the door.
Her heart began to race, her stomach sinking with dread.
She stepped away from the mirror, rushing to the door.
She stopped before it and hesitated, staring at the painted wood.
She did not want to go out there. Airess could already feel the restless, heavy energy stirring on the other side.
“I believe that is the prince, my Lady,” said an attendant, verbally urging her to open the door. Airess nodded, as if reassuring herself, and opened the door.
A pair of luminescent crimson eyes met hers, belonging to no other than the prince.
Arzhel Lucien was tall and slender. His raven hair was slicked back, the dark color contrasting against his pale skin.
Like his sister, Arzhel was a spitting image of the queen, sharing her sharp nose and cheekbones.
The dark circles under his eyes were prominent today—never a good sign for Airess.
“Let’s go,” Arzhel ordered and grabbed her arm, his grip tight as he dragged her out of the bedroom.
The Sight bloomed over Airess’ eyes, overriding her will and revealing Arzhel’s black aura.
It was so dark, the energy stagnant, unmoving and strong.
His energy repelled her more than anyone else’s ever had.
She physically flinched at the sight of it.
She blinked back to her normal vision and hurried her steps to catch up with him, not wanting to appear weak in front of anyone who walked by. Anger bristled within her as she side-eyed the prince who looked like a ghostly vision. He was more physical than usual today.
“Let me go,” she demanded, her voice low.
Arzhel ignored her, increasing his pace.
Airess fumbled after him, his grip still prominent on her arm, dragging her around like she was a piece of property.
She snapped—the anger and anxiety mixing together into an ugly, uncontrollable feeling inside.
Airess yanked her arm away, her face flushing. “I said let go!”
She stumbled backwards as she broke free from his grasp. Arzhel stopped and turned to her slowly, looking her up and down as if he just now noticed her for the first time. “I can touch you whenever and however I’d like. You’re to be my wife, so you are my property.”
He stepped forward, letting out a bitter laugh.
“You should consider yourself lucky, marrying into the royal family despite your halfling defects. As much as I disdain this union, I understand my role in producing an heir, unlike you. But don’t worry,” he continued, lowering his tone as servants passed by.
“I’ll be sure to give you my heir as soon as possible, and we will both have fulfilled our duties. ”
Disgust rolled through her like slick oil.
The inevitable she had been dreading for so long would be upon her tomorrow night— that is, if her escape plan fails.
Arzhel’s words only solidified that she would die trying.
Airess supposed she should be grateful for such a long engagement.
It was a miracle in itself that their union had been pushed off for so long.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway. They both turned to see The queen walking towards them. For once, Airess was relieved to see her.
Airess had known the prince since she was ten years old.
Even as a boy, Arzhel had been unnecessarily cruel.
He saved that part of himself especially for her—his prejudices against anyone that were not pureblood Elven the reasoning for his wicked behavior.
He felt that Airess was beneath him, and treated her as such.
“You both look wonderful!” Melanth exclaimed as she gave both of them a once over. Melanth paused at the locket Airess wore at her neck, her smile melting away. “Where did you get that?”
“The seamstress, my queen. She gave it to me as a wedding gift.”
“Is that so?” Melanth asked, more to herself than to Airess.
As quick as her displeasure came, it went. She shook her head and grabbed Airess and Arzhel’s arms. “Well, no matter. Come along. It's time for our entrance. Remember, chin up. Smile. Oh, and dance with our guests please. Especially you, Airess. A good queen always dances with her guests.”
Airess heard the crowd before they stopped in front of the ballroom doors. Arzhel grabbed her hand—the action looking tender, but the feeling anything but. She felt the discontentment radiating off of him as their hands touched, and she tried her best not to cringe.
Airess stared at her shoes in silent prayer to any Gods that might hear her. If you have any love for me, if you even exist at all, please, help me escape.
The doors burst open, the light from the chandeliers overwhelming Airess as they walked forward. Their arrival was announced as they walked, the ballroom lively with chatter and music.
The room, floor to ceiling, was made entirely from white marble. The light from the chandeliers glittered beautifully against the sleek tiles the ballgoers stood upon. Floral arrangements were placed on every surface they could fit—a mix of creams and blues to represent the Lucien House.