“You have that right, Sister. We’ll go flying as soon as we’re able.” He nodded, and the two bowed before moving to the side again.
“Lord Polaris Ratri and Lady Zillah Nyx Khors of Eirne.” The two who stepped forward I would have assumed were brotherand sister if I wasn’t aware they were married. Both had light blonde hair common in Night Kingdom, though Zillah’s had a tinge of silver to her long, straight hair, her pointed ears sticking through it on either side, with jewels added to decorate the points and she had dark blue eyes, whereas her husband held a hint of green. Polaris had the same sharp cheekbones and jawline as Calix, though his face seemed shorter and squarer in comparison.
“Your Highness, it’s wonderful to be back. We’re immensely looking forward to the ball tonight.” Lady Zillah bowed.
“Any party hosted by Baach is one we want to be at.” Lord Polaris smirked, making Calix laugh joyfully.
“I hope it lives up to your expectations, Lord Polaris.” Calix smirked back at the lord.
It made me wonder about these parties, I’d thought balls were fairly standard, but clearly, I was missing something. I looked to Baach in question, but he just winked at me, his smile twinkling with mischief.
“Lord Ciaran Tolze of Corbenic.” The lord stepped forward, and he was truly the opposite of the lord and lady before him. Where their skin was moon pale, Lord Ciaran’s was an olive tanned color, his hair was dark as night with the shadow of a beard dusting his face. A sharp nose and high cheekbones made him look quite intimidating, and he quickly greeted the king and moved along, all efficiency.
“Lady Jasira Hanwi of Mael Duin.” As Lord Ciaran walked back, he passed Lady Jasira, and I saw the way his eyes immediately focused on her. Her wavy blonde hair came just past her shoulders but was full of volume and she had bright green eyes that shone like emeralds. Like me, the apples of her cheeks were more prominent than her cheekbones, giving her heart shaped face a sweet appearance. Those emerald eyes met Lord Ciaran’s and held, and felt like I was intruding just lookingat them—but they quickly looked away and the moment was broken.
She curtsied as she arrived before the dais, and I realized—
“There’s no Lord of Mael Duin?” I asked Eryx, who looked down at me.
“Calix lets her rule her own land.” He smiled, pride shining on his face. “He doesn’t see why a woman should have to marry and let her husband take over. Jasira inherited the title from her father, and she’s now determined to keep ruling herself. She’s very proud to be the first ruling Lady, and she hopes it will inspire other women to begin doing the same and not feel forced into giving up control.”
I smiled widely, that was a Lady I could respect.
No wonder Eryx was proud of his king, by the Otherworld, I was too. Remembering Lady Shirma in Dusk, who’d been forced to marry or lose her lands, I was even happier. The idea that a woman couldn’t rule just as well as a man was absolute bullshit—I can guarantee we’d do better. Just look at Cyrus, driven by pride and greed—Tartarus, I could do a better job ruling than him.
“Lord Kyler and Lady Aisling Daram of Lyonesse.” The two came forward and I looked them over as they spoke with Calix. He had dark silver hair that shone black in certain lights—he clearly had some royal blood in there, even though it wasn’t direct. His eyes were like chips of ice, glowing such a light blue they were almost white. Lady Aisling was joking with Calix, but did a quick scan of the room, and spotting me, she winked a jade-colored eye with a smirk, taking me aback. Her hair was the deep red of a berry wine and was half up in braids while the rest fell down her back and framed her face. They were both clearly warriors, with weapons strapped over their court outfits—I even spied a dagger strapped to her thigh in the slit up her dress.
They finally bowed and made their way to the side after a few minutes of discussion with Calix, and the herald called out the final pair to be introduced, “Lord Rhidian and Lady Alora Asman of Segais.”
Lord Rhidian reminded me of Titan instantly, with the same dirty blonde hair, strong nose, and square jaw, though Rhidian’s wasn’t as prominent. His eyes, however, were golden in color as opposed to blue, and while he was large and definitely well-muscled, with broad shoulders that stretched his doublet to its limit, he was still smaller than the massive Titan. On the other hand, his wife stood out as being clearly from a Northern kingdom, likely Sunrise or Sunset, with light brown skin and almond shaped eyes that slanted upwards. The gray of those eyes looked like a storm in a bottle, contrasting how kind she appeared, with a sweet smile on full lips that led to a pointed chin.
When they made their way back into the crowd, I took a moment to look around. There was a good mix of Fae and humans, and I swore I could feel the magic in the air. I inhaled, closing my eyes. It was like a heartbeat, coming from the kingdom itself. Strongest where Calix was, but spots all around the throne room sparked with it.Magic. Night magic. That resonance I’d been feeling was stronger now. With so many Fae of the kingdom surrounding me, I could feel the magic of the land like a second beat in my chest.
I’d always been able to feel magic around me, but never like this. It was usually faint, more an awareness than anything. This was something else, something that couldn’t be denied. I wasn’t sure why—or how—but it was stronger than ever. Like I could reach into the land itself and pull up that power for myself.
I jolted, my eyes springing open and the feeling seeping away slightly, leaving only that strange feeling—like something sparkled in my blood—that I usually only felt when particularlyangry. Eryx’s hand was on my shoulder, and he was looking down at me with concern clear in his eyes.
“Asteria, are you okay?” He asked worriedly, and I shook my head, eyebrows scrunching slightly.
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” I countered, brushing off the weirdness.
Eryx’s eyebrows flew up. “You’ve been standing there for a while with your eyes closed. Calix is just greeting the last few people and then court will be over for the day.”
My mouth parted in shock, looking around to verify what he was saying. Had I been that lost in it? It appeared so, as I could see the line that had formed of humans and Fae bringing concerns forward was almost done. Lady Alora stepped out on the floor as the last person in line reached the dais—distracting me from the bizarre occurrence.
“Your Highness, I’ve received word from my contact in Sunset Kingdom.” Lady Alora informed the king as she stepped forward. Calix sat up straighter in his seat and I caught Callisto’s head whipping towards the Lady of Segais.
“Please, Lady Alora, what have you learned?” Calix inclined his head, all hard lines and strained muscles. His fingers flexed on the arms of his throne, and I squinted. It was hard to make out against the darkness of said throne, but I could just see the wisps of shadow coming from his hands.
Lady Alora bit her lip, “They spoke of an alliance being brokered with Dusk, your Highness. One which would add to the existing alliance Dusk and Dawn are in the process of solidifying.”
“We’re aware of such.” Calix nodded. “We’re already working on several plans.”
“That’s not all, my King.” Lady Alora continued. “Prince Cyrus has apparently traveled to Sunset himself to discuss the alliance, bringing his betrothed with him. While he was there, he spokeof—a human, one I believe is here. Cyrus has apparently put a bounty on her head, anyone who can return her to him is being offered an incredible sum.” Lady Alora’s disgust over Cyrus’s actions was as obvious as her apology for having to relay it—but I could barely focus once her words reached my ears.
It was like my vision tunneled, and I looked over to Calix, whose gaze unerringly met mine. Darkness exploded out around him, and the gasps of the court sounded so very far away. Calix’s throat bobbed, and the darkness slowly shrank back to him, until only faint wisps remained.
I couldn’t breathe, however—Cyrus had put a bounty on me. I’d known he wouldn’t give up, had even said as much earlier—but this…I couldn’t handle this. A ragged breath finally left me, and then they were coming fast and hard. Everything seemed so far away, a haze descending over my vision.
