“And look at you!” I smiled teasingly. “I’ve never seen you in a dress before.” She looked slightly embarrassed, but it didn’t last long before she sniffed and lifted her chin.
“I make anything look good.” She winked, but she wasn’t wrong. Her silk dress was a perfect match for her amber eyes, falling to the floor in a slink of body-hugging fabric. An overskirt, with so much gold embroidery that it shimmered more gold than amber, was affixed to the waist, allowing her to don a ballgown while still showing off the body she’d toned from years of fighting.
“Asteria, you look fabulous!” Lilith gushed as she approached. She was clad in a sage green gown that was designed to mimic leaves, while beside her, Priscilla was wearing a red ball gown with black embroidery. I nearly choked up again seeing Priscilla dressed up for a ball she could actually attend.
“You look like a Queen, Asteria.” Pris whispered, awe in her voice as she took in my dress.
“And you don’t?” I laughed incredulously and Priscilla smiled widely, before disbelief crept into her expression.
“Can you believe this? It feels like this can’t be real sometimes.” Priscilla said quietly, and I knew exactly how she felt.
“It’s surreal.” I agreed. “But it is real, Pris, and we’ll make it a reality for everyone else too.” My promise was more ferocious than the occasion currently called for, but it was heartfelt.
Priscilla laughed quietly, shaking her head. “Something tells me our specific circumstances are going to be unique.” She raised an eyebrow as she pointedly trailed her eyes over my dress, my diadem, and I ducked my head, cheeks flushed. “But I do believe if anyone can achieve it Asteria, you and Calix can.” She bumped my shoulder with hers, her faith in me, in our goal, warming me down to my bones.
Everyone looked incredible, but in comparison, my dress was much more elaborate. And while I chatted with everyone as we waited, I was half paying attention, trying to figure out why Calix put me in such a gown.
Callisto snuck in at the last moment. Wearing a white gown that dipped low in the front and back. Priscilla’s eyes were instantly glued on her, unable to move anywhere else. I elbowed her with a smile and barely got a reaction. Lilith met my eyesover her, and we both bit our lips to contain our laughter, but Harpina didn’t bother, letting out a boisterous laugh.
“Pris, if you look at Callisto any harder, she’s going to catch fire.” Harpina snorted as she flipped her hair back, the wine-red curls laced with gold jewels that made her hair glint in the light.
“I’m doing no such thing.” Pris refuted, going bright red as she glared at Harpina, crossing her arms and looking pointedly elsewhere. I glared at Harpina, who was clearly getting in the way and not helping, but she just shrugged, unrepentant.
By the time we were called in, Eryx had somehow convinced Delia to let him escort her, which necessitated me hiding my smirk from the two of them. Those of us without dates went together, pairing up and linking arms. The herald announced us as we entered, but my eyes were instantly focused on the sky and not the packed crowd around us. Even the fountains overflowing with an array of lavender, blue, and pink drinks didn’t catch my attention as the sky did. Nor the flower arrangements in all the colors of the aurora that decorated the space. Even the giant crystals that were set up around the edges of the room, looking like—Nox,pure star opal, completely uncut. They were gorgeous, and at any other moment, would have all of my attention—but nothing could compare with what was above me.
The open night sky shined like millions of diamonds were scattered across it. The aurora was in full swing, the green, purple, blue, and pink lights dancing across the sky in undulating waves. The moon was shining brightly, giving the space most of its light. I wished more than ever to fly through the sky again, to be embraced by the darkness and shine amongst its lights—maybe Calix would indulge me later…
“Now presenting, His Highness, King Calix Orpheus Atarah Erebus,” The herald called out, continuing with Calix’s list of titles before introducing his sisters. “Princess Ndrita Luna Erebus Nuit and her husband, Lord Sterling Nuit of Keris. AndPrincess Liviana Chandra Atarah Erebus.” Titan and several other guards followed the royal family as they entered the throne room. Everyone in attendance made admiring noises around the room. I, however, inhaled sharply, freezing in place.
While the princesses looked beautiful, Princess Ndrita wearing a light blue gown that brought out her eyes, and Liv wearing dove gray with a ruffled skirt and a bodice dotted with crystals, it was their elder brother who stole my breath.
Calix was wearing a black and purple suit that looked like it had been poured onto him, his biceps and shoulders straining the fabric and the band around his middle accentuating his narrow waist. He looked strong, fierce, suave, and sexy, all at once.
The black suit jacket was outlined in purple with embroidery in the same color around the edges, moons and stars within the scrolling designs. While stars and fire—like a supernova exploding—trailed up his arms from wrists to elbows. Magic had to be in the design, the way it seemed to come to life, much like my dress.
A purple silk shirt was underneath his jacket, revealing a hint of his muscular chest along with it. Black pants matched the jacket, but I didn’t let my eyes linger long in that area. His crown resided atop his head, jewels glinting among the black, and as he made his entrance, he gave the moment its proper drama—large dragon wings sprawled from his back, somehow the perfect addition to his ensemble.
As the music began, Calix swept Liviana into a dance, Lord Sterling doing the same with Princess Ndrita. They swirled around on the glossy black floor that reflected the night sky perfectly, making it look like they were truly dancing among the darkness of the night sky, sweeping over the aurora before twirling amid the stars. It was its own kind of magic, and one I desperately wished to partake in.
“The first dance is always just the royals, then everyone else can join in.” Lilith whispered to me. I nodded my understanding as the music continued. I let my gaze linger around the room, watching the nobles and the citizens of Tairngire and beyond who’d come tonight.
I spied Aibek and Siria, who were hiding out from the Dusk Kingdom after their escape. I made my way over to them, curtsying. “Lord Aibek, Lady Siria. I just wanted to express how thankful I am that the two of you are okay. I didn’t get a chance to see you after our rescue.”
“Asteria.” Siria smiled softly, “It’s nice to finally meet you, I’ve heard so much about you. And thank you, we’ve been busy trying to get as many of our people over the border into Night as we can. The temporary camp isn’t far from our estate, but it’s difficult nonetheless to smuggle them over without Dusk interfering.”
She rolled her eyes, and I couldn’t blame her. The fact that they couldn’t stay in their own home as it was in Dusk Kingdom was clearly frustrating for them. I knew there’d also been several skirmishes with Dusk while getting refugees across—Cyrus’s commander having taken up a post in their palace as he patrols their lands. One of the many things we’d been working on plans for.
“I admire your willingness to go back to help your people. I can’t imagine many rulers in Dusk would do the same.” I told them honestly, and Aibek smiled mischievously.
“That’s because most of the rulers in Dusk are a disaster.” He rolled his eyes and I tried to stifle a laugh.
“You’re not wrong.” I agreed, tipping my head to the side in acknowledgment.
“Calix tells us you’ve joined with the Resistance. Based on Princess Liviana’s visions, I have to say I’m thankful for it. It sounds like you will be able to make quite the difference.” LadySiria smiled at me, hope sparking in those pink eyes of hers. I could feel the pressure of those hopes, those expectations, laying firmly on my shoulders. All because of a prophecy none of us understood.
Lord Aibek put an arm around his wife’s shoulder, “Don’t put so much pressure on the poor girl, we don’t want her to crack.”
I chuckled, his tone making it clear he was joking around, but before I could open my mouth to respond, they both straightened and bowed their heads. I turned, skirt swirling, and came face to face with the one I was trying to forget about. I swallowed hard, dropping into a curtsy.
