I’m only too aware of that,especiallyas Olivia comes up to us, wearing an elegant yellow dress that hugs her figure, along with even more jewelry than I’m currently wearing.
“Marcus, how good of you to come.And you brought your… what are we calling her now?Your prisoner?Your house guest?Your pet, given that she’s one step from a wild beast?”
I bow my head as demurely as I can.
“So long as you remember that sheismine, Olivia,” Marcus says.
“Oh, you don’t want to share her?”Olivia teases.
“No.”
“Well, as long as she behaves herself, I’m sure it won’t be a problem,” Olivia says.“For now, there are some people who need to meet you, and the beast whisperer willnotbe required.”
“You want me to abandon her?”Marcus asks.
“Is that a problem?”Olivia counters.“Don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll be perfectly safe.Selene insists.”
I glance across to Marcus, guessing his dilemma.He probably doesn’t want to leave me where he can’t protect me from others, but he can’t just ignore an instruction from Selene Ravenscroft.I give him the barest nod, encouraging him to go.
“Very well,” he says.He and Olivia set off through the party, arm in arm.
Just like that, I’m alone.Music plays around me, not brought forth by any instrument, but merely summoned into being by someone with the magical talent for it.People dance to that music, moving slowly together on the palace lawns.There are tables piled high with food.People are dancing.This being one of Olivia’s parties, a few of them are sneaking off into hidden corners of the garden together.
There are plenty of people I know from my days as a senator, but I don’t dare to approach any of them.Besides, I see another figure there, one I last saw on Aetheria’s streets after she’d gone to meet with Selene in secret:
Lady Cassandra of Arboria.
Her flame-red hair is tied back from strong features and piercing green eyes.She wears a gown that seems to be composed of living leaves.She seems to spot me in the same moment I spot her.She stands there and beckons me closer.I go to her and she looks me up and down.
“My, someone has gone to a lot of trouble to decorate you,” she says, with a faint smile.“I understand your status has fallen somewhat, Lyra.If we were back in Arboria, I’d have to have you kneel.”
Arboria is one of Aetheria’s neighbors, a land of sweeping forests and mages whose magic focuses on the natural elements.It’s also a place that seems to value strength and power over all else, their queen ruling absolutely and their nobles having total power over those beneath them.
“As it is…”
She sweeps me up in an almost crushing hug instead, then steps back.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” Cassandra says.“I thought you were a traitor.”
"I've been given over to Marcus' custody," I explain."He brought me with him tonight."
“And left you where someone might steal you away?Most foolish.”Cassandra laughs as she says it, but I suspect she’s not entirely joking.Arboria doesn’t respect those without the strength to protect what they claim.If someone can steal away land or people, they own those things without question.
“Shouldn’tIbe surprised to seeyou?”I counter.
“You could be,” Cassandra says.“But that would be foolish.You know why I’m here.”
“To pay homage to Selene Ravenscroft openly, rather than secretly,” I guess.“Why, Cassandra?Why help her to steal a throne?”
She shrugs.“We aren’thelpingwith anything.My queen was… well, frankly, I'm stretching her orders by holding back this much.But what other options are there?The Senate?It's obviously going to fall.And if there's chaos…"
“You’ll invade,” I say.
Cassandra nods.“I had thoughtyoucould give me another choice, but you’re clearly not in a position of strength anymore.”
I wonder if I should tell her that I’m still working to resist Selene.I wonder if I can trust her that much.I’m still wondering it when another familiar figure comes to join us.
"First, Senator Rowan," Lady Cassandra says as Rowan walks up to us."At least for now.I assume you want to speak with this one, rather than me?"
