Now that she was before him, he noticed how her cheeks were rosy, her eyes covered in an iridescent glitter.
When she caught him staring, she said, “Your mother told me the more shine, the better.”
“She was right.”
“I tried refusing the shoes, but she told me it was necessary—for the daytime, at least. At night is when the party truly unfolds, and I can whip them off.” Esi lifted the skirt of the dress to reveal strappy shoes so high, it was no wonder she was struggling.
“I’ll make sure to not let you fall.” He extended his arm, and he saw relief wash over her face.
She stepped cautiously off the final stair, and they were together at the hip like Mych had proclaimed. Jasyn chuckled to himself.
The festivities had started at sunrise, music and cheering everywhere. People were already dancing and drinking in the ballroom, but Jasyn guided Esi to the throne room.
“Unfortunately, the first part of the day requires us to be responsible.”
“How so?”
“Greeting guests.” Esi shuddered, and he knocked his shoulder against hers. “It won’t be that bad.”
The throne room was crowded with everyone wanting to give their hellos to the royal family. With Esi on his arm, it was easy to move through the chaos. He carefully guided her over the stone steps of the pond, carrying the end of her dress, making sure she could skip across them without falling into the water.
His parents were just as extravagantly dressed. His father wore a sleeveless silk shirt that showed off his muscled arms, and his mother looked refined in her maroon dress.
“You make such a beautiful couple.” His mother smiled, and he blushed at the attention.
“I have you to thank for my appearance, although I’m not surprised you were right. The glitter was a requirement.”
“See?” His mother patted her husband’s arm, which rested on his throne. “I am always right.”
His father leaned in as close to his mother as he could, and she inched her face in to accept the kiss. “I never doubted you.”
Before he met Esi, he would have turned away from such a display of affection. He thought that love would never find him. He thought he didn’t deserve it, but Esi changed that for him.
“Go have fun,” his father said. “No need to worry about royal duties this year. You’ll have decades of it soon enough.”
Jasyn nodded, resenting the confidence. He hoped he had the responsibility in his future. Hewantedit, but desire did not guarantee him the throne.
As they moved away from the dais, Esi leaned in. “He’s right. You’ll be on that throne next year.”
Jasyn gave her a half-hearted smile, but he didn’t want to think about the future right now. He only wanted to experience the present with the woman in his arms.
“Let’s dance,” he said.
Iskra’s feet and calves burned. The shoes were a nuisance, and when Jasyn could no longer take her wincing in pain, he sat her down and slowly lifted the skirt of her dress, lingering on her calves before he undid the clasp of her shoes. She moaned in relief, but he held on to her leg and pressed a kiss to her shin. Goosebumps dotted her skin, and he only smirked up at her when he saw her body react.
“You’re beautiful.” His voice was sensual and soft, and it hit something deep at the apex of her thighs.
“You’ve told me that three times already.” He wouldn’t stop saying it as they danced together. Each time, it made her face heat even more.
“It’s true.” He shrugged as he released the skirts from his grasp and sat in the chair opposite hers.
The whole ballroom was surrounded by brass tables and chairs, and the perimeter was alight with fire. Candles covered every empty spot, and when Iskra asked if that was a fire risk, he told her the fire was magic. It wouldn’t burn anything as long as whoever lit it kept it in its place. When Iskra anchored her head upwards, she was rewarded with a view of colorful ribbons hanging across the glass ceiling. At the end of them were small glass orbs that caught the sunlight pouring in, glowing across the whole room.
Yet, it was watching others enjoying themselves that warmed her heart. Everyone was dressed spectacularly in their finest, shiniest garments. Some wore masks, which Jasyn informed her was a way to keep one’s identity safe as they let the debauchery of the night consume them.
One of the servants passed by with a tray of sparkling wine, and Jasyn swiped two flutes. He handed one over to her, and they clinked the crystal glasses.
“To us and our bright future.”
