"Is everyone here?" He blinked once and then gave a nod.
"Are they well?" Another nod.
"Will they be participating in the ball and showcasing the arena performance?" That question must have been too complex because Rhey cocked his head to the side. "Ah, no that is my fault. I should have stuck to the simple questions, but you have answered the main ones that meant the most." Rhey slid and glided from one arm to the other and then a more sudden question crossed my mind.
"How did you find me? Better yet, how did you get up here?" And then I saw it, something playful and mischievous twinkled in his eyes. Could it be possible that I had seen him earlier today at the golden pools?
"Have you been following me? This whole time!" A nod was given and I felt exasperated. This also means that everyone... Dezimus, Elijah, Ezra, and Fala had all arrived early today. It made my mind peak with curiosity, where had the Apollons stationed them? Were they allowed to come visit me in the castle? A loud double knock came from the door, and I looked at Rhey. I gave him a loving scratch on his head and took a green grape from the bowl on a platter to feed him. He swallowed immediately, the juice of the grape drizzling down his fangs as he slithered off my arm to the open window. "I will see you soon," I whispered, and Rhey gave me one last look before slithering down. A slow hollow ache crept up my heart at his departure, but I smiled when I heard the faraway curses of guards from below.
Gods he was misbehaved... no thanks to Ezra and myself.
The door opened behind me. "This is something you cannot be late for—." Inanov's voice was cut off when his eyes finally adjusted to me.
"Is this fine?" I touched the material of the skirt and suddenly felt unsure. It must have been a bad idea to wear the Duvessan clothes.
"It... it's fine." A blush warmed his stubbed cheeks. I then took him by the arm and guided us both towards the part of the castle where the footsteps of servants tapped against the floor and music echoed through the walls.
***
There was a mass of guards stationed in finery, all in rows leading up to the massive fifteen-foot closed doors. Upon our arrival, the guards stomped their golden spears in greeting, showing their respect. My blood thrummed and my shadows swirled inside me in excitement that I failed to feel, I felt like I was losing air and slowly I began to realise how nervous I was. I was used to being pointed and looked at in the arena by the comfort of the paints and mydiok, performing for lords and ladies. But here... it was for royalty, and I had no shield to cover the darkness that twisted in tangled vines inside me. Inanov placed an arm in front of the door, stopping me from going any further. With his other hand, he shifted to grab a golden spear from the guard next to him, his yellow and gold embroidered cloak swishing behind him with his movements. "This is for you." Was all Inanov said when handing me the spear. I looked at it in confusion and frowned.
"I have my own weapons, far more effective than this." The spear was sharp and it shone bright, cleanly made of pure concentrated gold.Goddess, this was damn heavy.
"It looks more... intimidating. It will keep those who are too curious away from you, thus keeping away from the prince," he explained and swiped a finger over the spear.
"There are far more fearsome things than a gold toothpick."The shadows inside me snickered and I thanked the lucky gods that no one could see their razor sharp-teeth when they did.
"Do you know how to use one?" He raised an eyebrow at me, I was almost insulted. Did he think of me as a one trick wonder? I swiped the spear out, quick and fast, testing its weight on both my hands and twirled it in a circle, side to side, front to back and threw it in the air to catch then swipe again. Inanov blinked at me and then nodded stiffly.
"Keep focused," he prepared me and yet, all I could think about was my family, excitement beginning to bubble. A foreign glee passed through me at the thought of the prince who I had vowed myself to. He would bring change, and a good one of that. I recognised the hidden door, called 'The royal's corridor’ from the castle plans, suddenly open. The prince, in his fine glory, had stepped out. His cape was pure gold and he wore an eye-catching tunic that was of clean pure white silk. He looked like the embodiment of Apollo. The tunic fit him perfectly, tailored to his size and muscle. The prince's gaze found mine where he savagely looked at the gold that circled my arms, touched my breasts and glided down my thighs. His eyes looked like burning coal and he seemed pleased, proud and... I couldn’t dare say more else I would blush too evidently.
"Apollo would have stolen you as his bride if he could." The prince gave his unexpected compliment.
"You look pleasing yourself, Your Highness." He gave a rich laugh.
"Just pleasing?" he asked.
I smiled and then slowly stopped, Inanov did not look impressed with our conversation, which made the prince take his place next to me—quietening us. Our fingers brushed at their sides, warmth filled me with slight tingles. The heavy doors opened to reveal a platitude of bright light from the chandeliersand there was a man to my left with a long dark moustache who announced our arrival.
"The Crown Prince of Apollo. Prince Adrion Blakemore Gideon and his royal chosen bodyguard." There were at least over a hundred pairs of eyes on us as we descended down the swirled steps. The skirt behind me spread across and gracefully followed me. I kept my eyes trained on everything and everyone all while tightening my hold on the spear. Most would think that this particular action meant "take one step closer and I will slaughter you," yet I was using it for support to keep myself poised, upright and not to show an ounce of weakness through the anxiety I was beginning to feel.
I sensed him before I could see him. The chilled frost feeling you get when a green-eyed demon is following your every move.
Chapter 50
A Dance of Fate
"Darkness was the destruction of Duvessa, the same destruction that had massacred the royals within the kingdom. It is official that King Solaire Gideon, ruler of Apollo, is the most powerful being in Terran who has remainders of the fae blood of his kin. Long may his light reign."
~The Royal Times article of Apollo
My uneasiness was at an all-time high.
The ballroom had gone quiet and the fluttery music of one of the three memorized music quietened. This piece was called “God’s Light” which held some beauty to it, yet it still could not compare to the forbidden music.
All had bowed their respect to the prince, all except the demons. Lorian sipped on a champagne glass, leaning against a pillar, nodding it towards me. The huge wolf and the tall muscular man with those rounded globes around his ears had their arms folded, looking intimidating in their might. The man with the rounded globes on his ears met my eyes. The blue of his eyes was so electric that I could have sworn a spark ignited. To his left, the she-demon flitted around in a white dress that flowed in an ethereal like way. She picked off a wilderberry from a platter and licked her fingers, smiling charmingly around those with her. She had the kind of beauty that was dangerously alluring.Thief.I thought bitterly.Goddess knows what she'd use that green gem for. I had kept it to show Fala as she'd have had the answers as to what the necromancer would have used it for but now... they were inherclutches. She circled around and came to a stop to place her palm atop her leader's shoulder, broad and strong. He wore something I don't think I had ever seen a male wear before. His pants were black and tailored perfectly to fit his size... no doubt thanks to Lorian. He wore a beautiful darkened green silk, buttoned shirt on the inside with a fitting slim coat over it. He looked devastatingly magnificent.
Diavelo...
