Chapter 33
THIRTY-THREE
ARYELLA
It takes most warriors years to learn how to put a powerful man on his knees.
It only takes you a single look.
—EXCERPT FROM THE BUTCHER OF NYRIDA’S LAST KNOWN LETTERS TO QUEEN ARYELLA I
For the Reverie Ball, the courtyard and main hall were transformed into masterpieces of vibrant color.
Massive bouquets of twelve different types of flowers—one for each of the gods—were placed according to the order of the months, starting with Nevelin’s ice represented by sky-blue hydrangea, a rainbow of colors in between, and ending with dark purple and black violets for Nyxar.
The twins told me it was customary to pick a specific god to honor by choosing one flower and wearing it for the evening. In addition to honoring the Selvaren, it was a way to disperse the joyful color and liven up the atmosphere.
The ball itself was being held inside the hall. Mavic had assisted some of the cadets in moving tables to the sides and opening the main floor for dancing. While he showered off the sweat of physical labor, Mina finished readying my hair in loose curls that felt like silk on my shoulders.
The gown Gemma sent was more revealing than I thought.
Curves that had begun to form while recovering from starvation were now fully fledged and hugged by the black fabric.
My breasts were held firmly in place by the thick silk straps of the dress, but the visible skin between them was excessive.
The bodice was sparkly and sheer, the skirt layered with lace and silk.
The only eyesore was the bandage on my forearm from being swiped by the spiked tail during the second test. Mina managed to match it to my dress by wrapping black fabric around the cloth bandage and tying it off in a bow.
“The commander is going to fall over when he sees you,” Mina giggled. “You look stunning.”
“So do you,” I answered, smiling. “You look like an angel.”
She really did. Her fire-red curls were wrapped in a stunning updo, a few strands strategically loose to frame her soft face. The light blue silk of her dress made her pale, freckled skin glow. Her genuine smile warmed the air around her. She looked ethereal.
We heard a low whistle in the doorway and turned to see Mavic, freshly showered and dressed, shirt unbuttoned and showing off his leanly muscular form. His hair was still a damp mess Mina would insist on combing.
“I always try to tell her.” Mavic shook his head and sighed. “She never believes me.”
“Why would I believe my brother when he tells me I’m pretty?”
“Why wouldn’t you?” he retorted, closing the door behind him.
“I’m not afraid to tell you when you have a pimple or a booger in your nose.
Why would I lie about this? I fear I’m not even going to be able to enjoy myself tonight.
I’ll have to stay on guard the entire time.
I’m even considering bringing my sword to fend off anyone trying to take you to their bed. ”
She laughed as a blush crept up her neck. “I highly doubt anyone will try to take me to their bed.”
“Not if I bring my sword.”
I drowned them out as they bickered about random and inconsequential things. It brought them comfort, I think, to revert to something familiar.
The cool spring breeze drifted in through the open window, and I watched as dressed-up cadets excitedly mulled about beneath the fading sun and brightening torchlight. The chatter and laughter were contagious, but I kept thinking I should be somewhere else, looking for him.
I rubbed the cold, achy spot to the left of my chest, trying to soothe it with friction and warmth. It had been there since the second test, and I was starting to think I should have Abram check whether I’d strained something. I even tried to heal whatever afflicted me there, but it didn’t work.
“It’s time.” Mina dragged me outside to watch our peers gather in front of the main hall.
The festivities began just after sundown.
Since discovering I was the queen, the twins often put me between them, despite my objections, as if defending me.
I switched my boots for heels once we passed through the gravel courtyard and stopped before the long row of flowers where we were meant to choose one for the evening.
“Who will you honor tonight?” Mina asked.
I had already decided to pick Helios, the month he was born. The thought of him, and fire and heat, soothed the ache in my chest just a little. It was the month that the gods brought the one person into the world who sacrificed everything to ensure I wouldn’t be alone.
I reached for an orange fire-lily and held back my tears. Mina and I tucked our flowers behind our ears while Mavic fastened his in his lapel.
We entered the hall, and my vision burst with color. Bouquets were everywhere—in the rafters, on windowsills, hanging from baskets, and adorning the walls in sconces. The strong floral smell combined with the heat of a few hundred bodies, was heady, delectable, and overwhelming all at once.
We meandered to the side of the room where there were flutes of wine, pastries, and meat-and-cheese platters. The swell of excited voices blurred together in a dull roar. I often enjoyed being alone, but spending tonight with friends felt like wrapping myself in a warm blanket.
I thought I would blend in. Until I turned around and looked up from my plate to find that most of the room had watched me enter, and they were still watching me.
“Oh gods,” I whispered. “Why are they staring?”
“Probably because you’re hotter than Helios and Aesta’s love child.” Mavic took a casual sip of white wine out of a glass flute. “What?” He smirked and shrugged when I glared at him. “It’s a fact. Don’t look at me like you’ve never heard me speak the truth before.”
“You could be less forward, Mav,” Mina grumbled from my other side.
“Where’s the fun in that?”
I hardened my stare and hoped that would encourage people to go back to eating, drinking, and socializing rather than gawping at me.
Elias stood across the hall looking painfully handsome in a black suit embroidered lavishly with gold.
His thick bronze hair was slicked back, and the sharp angle of his clean jaw felt like it could slice me in half.
Somehow, he even looked a bit taller than usual.
The same busty blonde from the other night clung to him like a parasite. When his eyes found mine, his bored expression brightened, and he lifted the hand not trapped by the blonde in a mockful little toast.
I offered a slight nod and lifted my glass in return to not be rude, but I didn’t smile. When I averted my gaze, I could still feel him watching. Even when I gave him my back to face Mina and the female cadet she was conversing with, the feel of his stare sent a chill down my spine.
Mavic was distracted talking with Yara, whose stunning yellow gown against her raven hair, dark eyes, and skin made her look like a summer goddess.
She blushed and giggled at his playful eyes, light touches, and suggestive words.
He was such a flirt, but at least he was honest and respectful about it.
Before the festivities went into full swing, Elias went to the platform at the front of the room and gave a short welcome to the cadets.
“May the Selvaren bless us on Reverie,” he began.
I awkwardly startled when the crowd echoed it back.
“Welcome, and thank you all for being here.” He lowered himself down to the first step.
The crowd fell completely silent in respect.
“You have all grown in these weeks—as fighters, as teammates, and, I hope, as friends. We have a long road ahead of us. Likely, a dark one. You will need each other. We ”—his gaze swiftly raked over me—“will need each other.”
A pang of guilt in my stomach made it difficult to look at him.
“Tonight, we honor the gods, and all they have given us. The time, the lives, the sustenance and the shelter they have given us. Most important, the family and friends we hold dear, too many of whom have been taken by the violent hands of the Butcher and Molochai.”
I stared ahead numbly. It took everything in me not to cry out It wasn’t his choice! at the top of my lungs.
“They will be avenged,” Elias went on. “Tonight, on this blessed evening, that is my promise to you.” He lifted his glass. “Until then, we toast in honor of each soul unfairly ripped away. Tallai!”
The crowd echoed the celebratory word in the language of the gods.
I did, too. A little behind the rest, because his promise to end the Butcher had thrown me.
As did my guilt. Some of them looked so hopeless at the mention of a dark road ahead.
I knew I had to reveal myself as soon as Commencement was over.
I would tell Elias first so I could explain my choices.
Hopefully he wouldn’t resent me too much.
A few musicians had traveled the short distance from the Caves for the celebration. Once Elias stepped down from the platform at the head of the room, they began to play, and the dancing began.
Mina and I agreed to stand off to the side and watch. I only allowed myself a single glass of wine, and she didn’t drink much either. We spoke in hushed tones and spent an hour gossiping and giggling over who we thought would be sharing a bed at the end of the night.
“The commander is still staring at you,” muttered Mina. “He has been all night. If Sophia Bruta gets any redder, she’s going to erupt.”
“Let him stare.” I popped a small tomato into my mouth and reveled in its crunch. I’d spent a good portion of the last hour trying to pretend he didn’t exist, but I noticed he hadn’t taken his blond friend to dance. Her deepening scowl gave away her irritation.
“Do you feel something for him, at least?” Mina leaned closer, covered her mouth, and whispered, “Since he’s the one you’re to marry.”