Chapter 44
Sana tried to calm her nerves and breathe as evenly as possible as she held onto Rhyel's arm while they followed the procession through a white marbled hallway to the doors of the ballroom.
She glanced behind her at Zena and Loic who gave her an encouraging smile. Letting out a slow breath, she gazed out the floor to ceiling windows that should've had her in awe at the breathtaking view of the golden dusk sky and the deep blue ocean that surrounded the floating palace.
But all the confidence she felt at the inn and during the peaceful carriage ride was slowly slipping away from her and replaced by her pounding heart while Loic's lessons on Grensea customs played like a never-ending scroll in her mind.
She and Rhyel would be announced before entering the ballroom. They would follow a procession to greet the Lord and Lady of Grensea. Once they did that, they would mingle with the other guests until being shown to their table for dinner.
All she had to do was try not to make a fool of herself.
Her tumultuous thoughts were shattered as the doors of the ballroom opened and the swell of jovial music and chatter swept through the hall. The steward standing beside the door, dressed in lush forest green and gold robes, stood at attention and unfurled his gold plated scroll.
"Lord Rhyel and Lady Sana of House Darcanos," the steward announced.
Sana gulped, digging her nails into Rhyel's arm as they slowly descended the grand staircase. The boisterous chatter softened as the heads of the nobles, exquisitely dressed in fine silks and colorful fabrics, dripping in gold, jewels, and gems, turned to gaze at them.
A chill ran down Sana's spine at their inquisitive peering.
Everyone knew she wasn't meant to be there.
They knew she was just masquerading as one of them because, for whatever ridiculous reason, Rhyel thought she was worthy of being his fiancé, worthy of a title and wearing jewels that signified her as his equal.
But she wasn't any of those things.
She was just a useless, ungifted servant thrown away because she wasn't worthy of her namesake.
And soon, everyone would point and laugh at Rhyel for being saddled with a giftless commoner like she feared.
Just breathe, little flame.
Sune murmured from his perch on her shoulder as a twinkling laugh floated through the crowd.
Sana's heart clenched as her eyes locked with her sister, standing amongst the guests near the procession line.
Aneera smirked as she looked Sana up and down in disgust before turning to the women beside her to whisper something terrible about her in their ear.
Sana looked away from her and her head lowered like she always did in the presence of her family, but Rhyel slid a hand over hers and leaned down to her ear.
"You are worthy and you are meant to be here," he murmured, brushing his lips against her ear as her ring and her dragon's breath pulsed in a soothing rhythm against her skin. "Hold your head high, my Lady," he whispered. "And demand the respect you deserve."
A flame unfurled in her belly at the rumble of his husky voice as warmth spread through her, driving away her discerning thoughts and the courage she once had bloomed like a flower in her veins, reaching for the sun.
Sana raised her head and relaxed her tight grip on his arm. "Thank you," she whispered. "I needed that."
"I know," he said as a grin tugged at his lips. "Your Fae-mother Prince always knows what his maiden needs."
Sana giggled, squeezing his arm. "I need a stronger spell if you have one."
Rhyel chuckled. "You need no such thing, but to keep laughing like that."
Aneera's whispering and the gawking stares of the nobles melted away as Sana looked up at Rhyel and smiled. "I'll try."
"Welcome to Grensea," Lord Oberon said with a joyful smile on his deep brown face and glee shone in his bright sea-green eyes as he stood. "We are honored that House Darcanos accepted our invitation to celebrate with us."
"Thank you, Lord Oberon," Rhyel said as he and Sana bowed their heads. "We are honored to have been invited."
"Yes and congratulations," Lady Elalia said as a grin spread across her red lips that brightened her pale skin. "I am overjoyed that my nephew is engaged to such a beautiful woman as you, Lady Sana."
A blush burned over Sana's cheeks as she bowed her head again. "Thank you for your kind words, Lady Elalia. I'm honored that you think so."
"You're welcome, my dear, and I look forward to getting to know you over the next few days," she said, wrapping her arm around Lord Oberon's. "And I hope you enjoy your time here in Grensea."
"Thank you, my Lady." Sana smiled. "I'm sure we will."
"Your cousins are mingling around here somewhere," Lord Oberon said, clasping a hand on Rhyel's shoulder. "I'm sure they're eager to catch up with their elusive cousin."
"I'm sure they are," Rhyel said. "I'll be sure to introduce them to Lady Sana."
"Good, good," Lord Oberon said, patting his shoulder. "I'm glad you're here, Rhyel. It's really good to see you."
"Thank you, uncle," Rhyel said, bowing his head. "Aunt Elalia, it's good to see you looking so well."
"Thank you, darling," she said as her crystal blue eyes held a glint of mischief in them. "You and I will have a chat later. I need to know how that son of mine is doing."
"Of course." Rhyel nodded. "Oziel sends his love to all of you."
"Mm, I'm sure he does," Lord Oberon said, chuckling. "Now, go enjoy the evening. It's going to be an exciting few days."
"Thank you, my Lord, my Lady."
Sana and Rhyel bowed to them again before they joined the rest of the guests, drinking and chatting as if everyone in the room were old friends—except for them, of course—the nobles standing near them shot curious glances and nods their way, but nothing more.
"Well done, my Lady," Loic said as he and Zena strolled up to them in their matching deep blue and gold attires.
"You are just pure grace this evening," Zena said, with pride brimming in her eyes.
"Thank you, Zena." Sana laughed softly and her heart clenched at the sound of Aneera's innocent laughter growing closer.
"My, my, Sana. I almost didn't recognize you," Aneera said, sashaying up to them with two Ladies in tow, all dressed in flowing gowns of crimson and gold and headdresses dripping with diamonds. "Or you Lord Rhyel. I'm glad to see that House Darcanos is treating my sister so well."
"Of course," Rhyel said, slipping his arm around Sana's waist and pulling her close. "I, nor the people of Darcanos, would treat our Lady any other way."
"That's so lovely." Aneera smiled, but Sana could hear the malice behind her sweet sounding sentiment. It was a subtle inflection in her tone, and Sana knew that tactic all too well.
Aneera would compliment Sana's attention to detail when ironing her gowns, but her sweetness would quickly turn into biting insults or something thrown at her, as if Aneera couldn't stand that Sana was good at anything.
She held her breath and clenched a hand in her skirts, waiting for the inevitable dig at her looks or her giftless stature.
"Well then, I'm glad you are doing well, Sana," Aneera said, giving her a small bow of respect.
Sana's eyes grew wide at Aneera's display. Why would she ever show any glimpse of...of respect for her like this?
"Th-thank you, Aneera," Sana said, releasing the grip on her skirts. "That's very kind of you to say."
"You're welcome. I'm happy for you, truly," Aneera said, keeping that sweet and innocent smile on her face. "Let me introduce you to my wife-kin. Lord Zehev will be joining us tomorrow and I'd love to introduce you to him as well."
"I'd like that, thank you," Sana said, but she didn't miss the way Rhyel's hand tensed on her waist at the mention of Lord Zehev.
Nor did she miss Zena's hardened gaze on Aneera and her wife-kin, Marceline, and Amorette.
Even Sune felt pensive on her shoulder while they spoke with her sister and Lord Zehev's wives.
Sana knew in the past the Issians and Darcanos weren't always on the best of terms, but she couldn't help feeling happy that Aneera greeted her so well.
She didn't believe for one minute that Aneera was sincere because no one could change that much in such a short time, but it felt good to be accepted by her even if it was fake.
Rhyel, Zena and Sune's pensive demeanor didn't subside until Rhyel's lively cousins, Rivo, Galia and Nori, joined their group and nudged Aneera and her wife-kin out the way to praise Rhyel with congratulations and joy to meet Sana, but not without reprimanding him for staying away for so long.
And after meeting his lighthearted cousins, Sana found herself relaxing in the presence of the nobles in a place she still wasn't sure belonged.
But as they dined in the great hall overlooking the moonlit ocean, laughter spilled out of her at Rivo's teasing banter at his cousin, Galia and Nori's witty retorts about certain nobles as they gave Sana a rundown of everyone in the room while Zena and Loic chimed in to give her a full picture of the people she would get to know over the course of the festive season.
Every so often, Rhyel would slide his hand over hers and caressed her palm as if he was somehow taking stock of her emotions.
And every time he did, she would wrap her fingers around his thumb and give it a gentle squeeze to let him know she was alright.
And she was.
At least for now, at this moment, she didn't feel like such an imposter.
A/N: I was so nervous for Sana going into that ballroom, but I'm so glad Rhyel recognized she needed some assistance and their little banter is so cute! ?? I love how attentive he is with her.
And I was quite surprised by the way Aneera greeted Sana and glad that Sana didn't fall for her niceties, but what do you think about that? I'm sure she's not being sincere, but why would she bother approaching Sana anyway?