Chapter 57
Reign
Dinner is exactly the reset I need. Just the smell of all the delicious food has me perking up. I take a seat between Danielle and Amaya who are both admiring the colorful carnation centerpieces lining the middle of the table.
While they’re lost in the details of the dinner table, I’m lost in the view.
The rooftop we’re on is the perfect spot to silently appreciate the way the sunset is making the sky look like it’s on fire.
There’s something almost magical about the sun setting on the open sea.
It’s a view I’m sure I would never grow tired of.
“I think we’ve had enough sappy speeches for one day,” Zaro says with a laugh. “I say we just dig in!”
“I second that,” Anthony motions from beside him.
Each of us make quick work filling our plates.
I start with the stuffed flounder before making my way to the shrimp cocktail and lobster mac and cheese.
Amaya and I go back and forth, telling each other to try this and that.
After growing up in The House of Waif and being fed slop while in the dungeons, I will never take a good meal for granted again.
Between the chaotic conversations around the table and multiple helpings of delectable seafood, dinner goes by too fast. I seem to be very aware that our time in the Infinite Sea Territories is limited and I want to savor every bit of it.
Something about these people and the way we all meld together is just effortless.
I’ve never had extended family, but I would imagine this is what it feels like.
After dessert everyone begins to break off into separate groups around the rooftop. I’m just about to get up and stretch my legs when Danielle shifts in her seat to turn to me.
“There’s something I wanted to say to you,” she says in her angelic voice that somehow sounds like a beautiful melody when she speaks.
“Okay…” I suddenly feel ill thinking about what she might say. I’m sure Damien told her about the Ryder situation last night and right now that’s the last thing I want to talk about.
“Look, I know you love my brother. But I know you also have feelings for Ryder and let’s be honest…
” Her eyes dart to where he’s standing, lost in conversation with Zaro and Anthony.
“I don’t blame you there.” She winks, and it relaxes me just a little.
“I just want to tell you that it’s okay to be selfish.
Sometimes that’s what you have to do. If your heart is being pulled in Ryder’s direction, I want you to know that Damien will be okay.
It will hurt like hell, don’t get me wrong, but I will make sure he’s okay. ”
“I never want to hurt him.”
She takes my hand in hers. “I know, but we don’t get to choose who we love.
And I’m not saying you have to make up your mind right now, but I wanted you to know that I’ll be here to pick up the pieces if it goes that way.
Besides, you’ve found your way back to each other once, it could happen again.
But it’s your path to take.” A single tear falls from my eye, and she quickly wipes it away. “No need for tears.”
“You’re pretty amazing, you know that?”
“I do,” she says, flipping her hair and we both laugh. “Now, let’s go check out this awesome view!”
By now, the stars have started to take over the sky. It’s a full moon tonight which feels very appropriate after the tattooing ritual today. It’s almost like it’s a sign from the universe.
“Alright, everyone!” Nio chimes from across the rooftop. “It’s time to move this party to the beach!”
The others refuse to tell us what the festivities of tonight are as we gather around, but Zaro insists it will be worth the wait.
And he was right.
When we reappear on the same beach as the Seacap, it looks familiar and yet completely different. The crashing waves that were once white against the dark shore are now illuminated an electric blue color.
“What is this?” Amaya asks with her jaw practically on the ground.
“We call it Nightling. It only occurs during this time of year for about a week.”
As wolves sprint across the shore, illuminated footprints trail behind them. They only last a few seconds before fading back to the original charcoal sand. The longer I look, I start to notice there’s a sparkle to the luminous waves. Almost as if the stars have fallen into the sea.
“This makes me realize how little our lives were back in Avelion,” Amaya whispers next to me.
“Sometimes it feels like it’s all a dream.” She pinches my arm. “Ow!”
“Not a dream,” she shrugs with a devilish grin.
A few minutes later, the beach is filled with guests still wearing their gold attire. Typically, I would be freezing in a dress by the shore, but they must’ve had witches cast some kind of temperature spell and I’m thankful for it. It almost feels like a summer night.
“Thank you all for joining us this evening,” Zaro’s voice amplifies across the beach. “Tonight’s festivities will begin with the Silent Dance and end with the Soul Cleansing Ceremony.”
“What’s the Silent Dance?” I lean over to ask Danielle.
“Oh, it’s simple,” she assures. “You’ll catch on fast. Basically, everyone will grab a partner, doesn’t have to be romantic, the dance is about the emotional connection. Each person holds their hands behind their back. The point is to highlight the link between two souls beyond the physical realm.”
“There’s no music?”
“No. Just the dance. Oh, eye contact is important.”
“Sounds intimate.”
“It is, but it goes beyond attraction. That’s why it’s not only for couples. You see, here in the Infinite Sea Territories, we believe we are a soul in a body. Our physical form is simply the vessel. That’s why we put so much emphasis on soul binding before the wedding ceremony.”
“I love that,” I reply with a sincere smile. There’s something comforting about the idea that the body is just a vessel. It’s what being reborn felt like. I was still me and yet, more.
“Let the dance begin,” Zaro announces with the clap of his hands.
I expect to see Danielle go for Ion, but she heads straight for Damien, instead. When I see Ion pair up with Nio, it really drives home the idea that the meaning of this dance is far deeper than any I have experienced.
“May I have this dance?” I whirl around to find Ryder bowing with his hands bound behind his back.
“You may,” I answer with a curtsey, securing my own hands behind me.
I watch Danielle closely, following her move for move.
When I glance back at Ryder, I notice he already knows the steps.
I think about asking him how he learned, but no one is speaking.
I guess the silence applies to not only the music.
It takes me a few more tries before I finally get the movements down.
Thankfully, Danielle was right. They are simple.
At first there’s a bit of awkwardness and I want to pull my gaze from Ryder’s, but I don’t.
After a little while it starts to feel nice.
It is intimate, but not in the way I’m used to.
The longer we stare into each other’s eyes, it’s as if the world begins to melt away.
Eventually, I don’t notice anything but his icy blue eyes that used to seem so distant and cold but now feel like a beacon.
Calming me in the chaos. Comforting me in the currents of life.
They’re the eyes I search for in a room full of people.
The ones I see right before falling asleep.
As we dance, we no longer feel like two separate people. It’s like we’ve merged into one. I can hardly feel my legs moving beneath me anymore. There’s no thought to the steps or awareness to the others around us. There’s only this invisible string that seems to be connecting our two souls.
I don’t even notice when everyone stops. It’s like I’m in a trance that I can’t shake. It’s not until Amaya puts her hand on my shoulder that I’m pulled back to reality.
“Damn, you guys were really locked in!” she says with a proud smirk.
I still feel like I’m in a daze. Like I’m not back in my body. And I’m not sure I want to be.
“So, what did you guys think of it?” Danielle asks as her and Zane join us.
“I thought it was awesome!” Zane quickly answers. “I think I blacked out for a moment.”
“It really did feel like that!” Amaya adds.
“And you, Reign? What did you think?”
“I think I’m still recovering,” I admit with a lighthearted laugh.
“Honestly, same,” Zane agrees, slipping his hand into Amaya’s.
“Well, don’t worry. The Soul Cleansing Ceremony is going to snap you guys right back.” She flashes us all a devious look before skipping off towards Ion and Damien.
“What do you think she means by that?” Zane asks suspiciously.
“I think we’re about to find out.”