“Hi, I’m Rhius,” says a guy with a deep voice. He’s made even more intimidating by his large frame and shaved head. “And this is my friend and business partner, Mei.”
Mei smiles and leans forward beside Rhius. She shakes her green-streaked fringe out of her face before taking us in, eyes fluttering seductively when she sees Taron.
He keeps her gaze longer than expected.
So, that’s the kind of girl he finds attractive?She’s pretty, with dark hair like mine, but I don’t have her almond eyes and porcelain complexion.
When Mei winks at Taron, I look away before I can gauge his reaction. Suddenly, my shoulders feel too exposed in this dress. My back curls in as I try to make myself smaller.
“You’re business partners?” Gigi asks. “What business?”
“We own a crystal shop in Solara. I’m an Emo, so I infuse the crystals with energies, and Mei uses her talents as a Flora to brew tonics.”
Another Emo?I don’t know why I’m so surprised. It’s not like I expected to be the only one. Though I guess IhopedI would be – that way there wouldn’t be anyone to compare my talents against.
“Sounds amazing,” I say, forcing the compliment. “Do you have one crystal in particular that people tend to favour?”
“We’ve been experimenting with sunflare quartz lately,” Mei says. “It captures the essence of the sun and, when harnessed properly, the crystal can be used as an energy supplement.”
“They’re incredibly popular, actually,” Rhius adds, brandishing a small orange crystal on a rope around his neck. “Students go wild for them. Gives them all the energy they need after a night out.”
“How about you?” Mei asks, clearly directing her question more to Taron than at me. “What’s your story?”
I wince as the group’s attention shifts on to us. My luck seems to hold, though. Just then, a hush blankets the room, stifling conversation as everyone turns to the door.
Cyrus stands there. He holds the space like the air itself bends to his will.
His golden overcoat gleams under the chandeliers, and I can’t help but notice the soft glow of his skin, how his dark eyes seem even more striking tonight, with his hair pulled away from his face in a low bun at the nape of his neck.
We all watch as the Young Prince marches towards the competitor’s table, Gideon following closely behind him.
Cyrus slows as he approaches us, his eyes flaring with furious recognition. He wrinkles his nose as he studies Taron. Then he gives a curt laugh.
“You?” he says, practically spitting the word. “Very funny. As if you’re a contestant in the Reckoning.”
Taron stares back at him. “I don’t see what’s so funny about it.”
“Don’t you? Well, looks like winning this tournament will be a piece of cake, after all.” Cyrus dusts something non-existent from the back of his sleeve, then scans me with a sly gaze. “Look at you, Freckles. Where was this dress in the tavern? I would’ve gladly shown you my sigil.”
Then he knocks his servant on the back. “I’ll see you in a bit, Gideon. I’m not sitting with this riff-raff.” He strides to the royal table at the back of the hall, leaving the disappointed protests of the two fawning girls in his wake.
It’s odd, observing the other competitors. Most of them radiate excitement, yapping away like this is the peak of their existence. It’s all laughs and banter now, sure, but don’t any of them realize why we’re here?
The dignitaries at the surrounding tables are eyeballing us like we’re racehorses, sizing us up to figure out which steed they’ll be placing their bet on. Those girls. Don’t they recognize that, come tomorrow morning, the handsome Young Prince they’re so shamelessly fawning over won’t think twice about slitting their throats?
My chest tightens. I force my attention down to my plate. It’s an overwhelming reality, and it’s only really hitting me now.
I could die out there, and Elara would be lost for ever.
No.I won’t let that happen.
“Maeve, are you OK?” Gigi leans in closer, and it takes me a second to realize they’re talking to me. “You look a little pale.”
I manage a nod, but my throat is dry. The room sways,my surroundings blurring. It’s as if the banquet hall itself is closing in on me, the ogling dignitaries suffocating me under their scrutiny.
A moment later, High Prince Seraphius stands, and the low mutters of the crowd taper off into dead quiet.
“Thank you all for gracing us with your presence.” He beams at the guests seated around the hall. I follow the crowd in gently tapping a spoon against the side of my glass.
