Because she could remove all the portraits of his mother from the castle, she could remove all her things, but she could not remove the emperor’s memory of his first wife, whom he still loved just as he loved his second.
And the empress hated that. Hated that she still competed with a woman who’d been gone for twenty years.
Perhaps that was why she hated Elias. Because he acted as a living reminder of his dead mother. And not only did he remind the emperor of his mother, but the people adored Prince Elias as they’d adored his mother. Many throughoutVoltaria and even Zephyrias called for him to be future ruler instead of Matteo.
Elias’s mother had been called the lightning empress. Which was why Elias had been called the lightning prince.
Servants came and took their finished plates. Colette had forced herself to finish her sea urchin. Elias had not touched his. Around them individuals began to rise. Several approached the newly married couple at the front table.
Elias stood. “Well, we should make the rounds. Come, Colette.”
She jumped to her feet and followed him. She glanced back towards the table as they made their escape. “Empress Emmeline is not as … nice as I thought she would be.”
Elias laughed. “No.” He took her arm. “Avoid her as best you can.” Especially since Colette hadn’t developed a thick skin or the ability to lie fluently. And she had secrets that needed keeping.
“That painting is so impressive!” Colette exclaimed as she stared up at the vaulted ceilings, painted to depict a sunny sky with clouds.
Elias smiled at her. She seemed to be always so in awe of everything. His chest twinged. He did not wish to be the one to toughen her up and cause her to lose that sense of wonder in her eyes. “Yes. The monks have done a good job designing the upper part of the monastery.”
He scanned the crowds, finding himself once again seeking out Prince Gerard. He currently spoke with his newly married brother.
“I’m going to get us some drinks,” Elias said to Colette.
Moments later, when he returned, he found Colette speaking to a young dragon. Elias gave him a once-over. He appeared to be of an appropriately similar age to Colette. She giggled and blushed as the young man spoke.
Elias stopped a little distance away, allowing his ward to flirt. But he kept his eyes on the two as he sipped his wine.
“Prince Elias!” a lady, surrounded by several others from Botanial, Voltaria, and Zephyrias, exclaimed.
“Good evening, Lady Marigold. I haven’t seen you in years.” Elias smiled. “You haven’t aged a day!”
“You charmer!” Lady Marigold laughed. “And you have grown up completely!” Her eyes softened. “You know, you look just like your mother.” She placed a hand over her heart.
Those gathered around her murmured their agreement and nodded.
“I hope you don’t mind me saying that.” Lady Marigold touched his arm.
“Not at all. I take it as a great compliment.” Elias smiled.
His stepmother had tried once to make him feel bad for looking like his mother, saying it was a pity he did not look more masculine, like Matteo. But how could Elias regret resembling his mother?
As it was, if he squinted when looking in the mirror, he could almost believe he was seeing her. Almost.
“Unfortunately, I lack her magical ability.” Elias pouted. “But I have some skills.” He looked around at those who stood by him. He placed down the goblets of wine on a small table. “Would you like to see a trick?”
Then he spotted Prince Luther behind everyone. Their eyes locked.
“I hope this brightens your wedding feast, Prince Luther.” Elias lifted his hands. “May your marriage always be filled with love and … sparkles!”
Light flashed and dancedon his hands and then shot into the air above. Those gathered around gasped and clapped.
So much power surged within Elias. A weaker sorcerer did not have even a tenth of his power. And many weaker sorcerers could not control that little amount without their engraved bracers.
But here I am, showing everyone a tiny glimpse of my ability. Holding the storm of power back with so little effort. And they all have no idea. They all think me weak and powerless. How wrong they all are.
He exhaled and smiled as everyone clapped.
“Thank you.” Elias laughed as he stopped. He gave a wry smile. “Unfortunately, that is all my powers can achieve. I may have been born a rather pathetic lightning sorcerer. But it makes for a pretty party trick.” He flicked his hair over his shoulders before once again lifting his hands and creating his sparkles.
