As he gathers my waist and lifts me into the spin, Blayze dips his head. I feel the gentle scrape of his jaw against my cheek, his warm breath tickling my earlobe. ‘The filthier the better.’ I gasp before I can stop myself, and the smirk on Blayze’s face widens to a wicked grin, as he straightens and whirls me through the air, almost dislodging my veil.
Other couples gradually join us in the dance, and I breathe easier now we’re not the sole focus of everyone’s attention. But then Astrophel takes to the floor, towing Elvi behind him. I’m surprised he’s asked her to partner him. At such short notice, all the eligible ladies of the court must have already been spoken for. He’s a little unsteady after all the wine, and poor Elvi is trembling as she clings to his arm. Still, when they join the dance, taking up the position beside us, it’s a near-seamless transition.
Astrophel’s eyes remain rooted on Blayze, on me, as we drift over the floor. He’s barely acknowledging Elvi’s presence. Blayze responds by drawing me even closer. A low, rumbling chuckle echoes his chest.
At the close of the postures, when the music dips, Blayze leans over and, loud enough for all the room to hear, hisses, ‘My father may have preferred my brother, but he thought well enough of me to wed my mother before he sired me, bastard.’
Astrophel pales as the music soars, and Blayze lifts me into another dizzying twirl. I can’t catch my breath.
Beware.
Astrophel over-spins Elvi, breaking formation, bringing them within touching distance of us. Before I can register what’s happening, Astrophel releases Elvi’s hand, casting her adrift, and wrenches me from Blayze, crushing my forearms.
‘This dance was mine,’ he hisses in my ear. ‘You are mine. Don’t ever embarrass me like that again.’ Without giving me a chance to reply, Astrophel grips my wrists more tightly still, yanks me towards him. ‘Kiss me.’
I start to pull back, but he nods towards my mother.
‘You owe me, remember? A favour of my choosing.’
Our eyes lock. I hate him more than I’ve ever hated him, but a promise is a promise. My motherisbetter, and I owe him for that. One kiss and my debt’s paid.
‘Make it quick,’ I whisper, tilting my chin.
His lips meet mine, hard and cool as marble. I go limp. My arms fall slack at my sides. Gasps emanate around the room and the music grinds to a screeching halt. I catch a glimpse of Elvi’s face crumpling as she flees the dance floor, but Astrophel fills almost my entire field of vision. His eyes are open, wild and unfocused, as though he’s looking straight through me – as if he doesn’t see me at all. But then something shifts. His eyes flutter shut, his lips soften, his warm scent wraps thickly around me. It’s as if the entire ballroom falls away. He deepens his kiss, and somehow… somehow I’m kissing him back. His lips part, urgent hands paw my waist, drawing me more roughly against him.
The spell shatters. Something primal takes hold. I don’t want this. I don’t want him. Tingling vibrations surge through my arms, there’s an icy slashing in my chest and I push Astrophel away. A faint stream of opal light circles my brand, flares from my palm. I’ve thrown him several feet across the room. There are screams. People shrink back. I stagger as pain splits my head and the intoxicating tingle of power ebbs from my fingers.
Ash fills my mouth again. A taste as bitter as goodbye.
The crazed expression recedes from Astrophel’s eyes. They widen in horror at the realisation of what he’s done – the rules of conduct he’s broken. Of what I’ve done too.
What am I? What am I becoming?
Astrophel bows his head. ‘Forgive me.’
When I don’t answer, he turns on his heel and strides from the room.
Seconds of strained silence limp by, each one an eternity. I pray for the ground to swallow me. Everyone is staring. Panic surges, choking me again. I slow my breaths, focus on the solidity of the floor. Mercifully, the musicians strike up again. The guests, unsure what else to do, resume their dance.
I seize my opportunity to escape. Dodging twirling couples, I make for the door. Blayze is dancing with Maris. She’s arched close to him, his hand caressing the dip of her lower back. His eyes flick up and meet mine. A knowing smile blooms on his lips.
Is that the sound of threads snapping?
I will not cry. Not here. I’ll deny him that satisfaction, at least.
Instead, I stare down at my brand. All trace of the strange light is gone, but my hand is the hand of a stranger. My powers are evolving. Shadow could soon claim me, as I always feared it might.
Beware.
What a fool I’ve been. The only danger here is me.
*
ISHOULDHEEDmy mother’s advice and forget.
Forget the banquet, my father’s torn hand, that travesty of a first kiss, the starshine… Forget it all. Put the whole cursed night behind me and look to the future. Trust the other members of the Quaternity will show up as planned tomorrow at the palace gates, get some rest ahead of our departure, accept that mending the broken threads of our alliance will have to wait till dawnrise.
Nestling into my pillows, I focus on my mother’s cool fingers raking my hair, the gentle burr of her voice.
