Without so much as a glance backwards, they scurried off towards the massive fire where nobility and commoners alike danced to the pounding drums. People moved wildly, stomping and twirling as if they were the flames flickering in the fire; no steps, no rules, just raw energy.
Cecil scoffed. “No offence, but standing on the sidelines with you is social suicide. I’m going to find a dance partner.”
And with that, she trotted past the roped-off section and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Luna behind.
She stood motionless, heat warming her cheeks. Being left out was the part she hated most about the king’s restrictions for her. Envy clawed her heart as she watched Venita and Rory dance, moving their bodies together, so utterly carefree.
A shadow loomed next to her, and for a moment, she thought Damien had come. When she turned, she was surprised to see Clyde standing there—though she wasn’t sure why. He was her personal guard, after all.
She smiled up at him, hoping to ease the tension between them caused by last night.
He didn’t look at her, though.
His focus remained locked on the crowd.
So she followed his gaze, squinting through the ambient glow of the fire, over to a trio dancing together. William was among them, moving fluidly between the two women, their steps matching the rhythm of the drums.
“He looks like he is enjoying himself.” Luna gestured.
Clyde stiffened like a man caught doing something he shouldn’t be. How odd.
Clyde said in a hushed, rather monotone voice, “The brunette is Diera, his lady, and the other is her friend, Quinn.”
Diera danced angelically, her pink frilly dress swishing around her with every movement. She looked like a confection—soft, sweet, and deliberately eye-catching. If William had a sweet tooth, she was the cure.
Luna’s attention shifted to Quinn, who had stopped dancing and was staring right back at her. Luna stumbled, caught off guard by the deep venom in the woman’s eyes—a viper ready to strike at any moment. What was her problem?
No longer interested in watching others have a good time, Luna headed towards the stands.
Chapter 11
Nina
The sun set and Luna handed her hat to a servant for safekeeping as the full moon assumed its destined position between two stony pillars, bathing soft, silvery light upon the platform below. A trumpet sounded soon after, signaling the imminent start of the protection ceremony. Luna hurried and rejoined her parents in the stands.
Once most of the crowd had settled into their seats, a hush fell across the ceremony grounds. Drums began to play, not in a melodic manner as before, but rather in a steady rhythm of single notes, one beat following the last.
King Hendrix’s voice boomed from the balcony above, “Let’s begin!”
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Emily had yet to take her seat. In fact, she was nowhere to be seen. The prince’s seat was also conspicuously empty. Were they still resolving their little lover’s tiff?
Ghostly white horses pulled a black barred carriage over to the platform. Its door swung open, and a figure cloaked in black stepped out. Her hair, so blonde it was almost white, glowed under the moonlight. Her silvery blue eyes darted through the stands as if searching for something—or someone—before her gaze settled on the king.
He nodded at Nina.
Inhaling deeply, she stepped forward, her eyes fluttering closed. Suddenly, a blinding white light erupted from beneath her cloak, searing the eyes of the onlookers before abruptly extinguishing. As the light faded, in the place of the cloaked figure stood a pearl-white unicorn.Nina.She stood tall and proud; her chin tilted upward, conveying a quiet authority.The broken horn atop her head, though marred, did nothing to diminish the regal bearing conveyed by her poised stance.
She moved onto the stony platform with a dignified grace, each step deliberate and fluid as if she were navigating through calm waters. Beside her, a priest garbed in robes of deep cerulean—a hue sacred to his office—held a ceremonial bucket. He sprinkled purified water with a flick of his wrist, scattering it across the polished stone like stardust. Where each droplet fell, ancient symbols etched into the stone eons ago revealed themselves.
The stars above seemed to shine down on Nina, kissing her horn, making it shimmer. But it was those silvery-blue eyes of hers that gave Luna pause. They held such sadness, defeat even, as if all the good she was doing meant nothing to her.
The drums grew louder, the beat vibrant in the air.
Dancers joined Nina, their faces painted with white markings. They fanned out across the platform, stomping their feet as they tossed white petals from their pockets. One of the dancers showered Nina with petals, which landed softly on her head, mane, back, and tail.
The music stopped, and the dancers retreated, leaving Nina by herself. Her entire being emanated a light reminiscent of the moon itself, as if she were sculpted from its very essence. She twirled her horn, sending sparks of glittering light streaming in her wake. The stench of the magic filled the air, so potent that it hurt Luna’s nostrils, overwhelming her to the point of tears. Instinctively, she covered her nose, mirroring the rest of the crowd.
