She took a deep breath and signed with her still-childish handwriting. The two signatures glowed brightly as the magic bound them to their word. The crowd cheered and Karwyn took Amira’s hand, making her face the court. With a fake smile plastered on her face, she waved at the ecstatic crowd.
Karwyn let go of her hand. “You must forgive me, princess, but I have important matters to discuss.”
He didn’t add “with fae more important than you,” but Amira knew that was implied. But she intended on showing her commitment to her new position. “I would be happy to learn more about the court’s predicaments.”
Wryen’s eyes burned into her skull. “Don’t annoy the king with your questions, silly girl,” she heard him say between his teeth.
All the men were now staring at her. Feeling the pressure, Amira bowed deeply. The king gestured to Wryen and the two men left, accompanied by Nouis. Rhay stayed there and gave Amira an encouraging smile. As she was about to go talk to him, a gorgeous, dark-skinned woman swooped in and grabbed Rhay’s arm, leading him to what had become a dancing hall.
Left alone in the middle of the crowd, surrounded by unknown faces, Amira felt strangely at home. In the last half-decade, Wryen had removed every familiar face from her life, firing people left and right. He wanted her to feel completely alone, with only a handful of people allowed to interact with her.
This time, her brother wasn’t looking at her. With Wryen distracted, Amira decided she was going to make the most of the evening.
She took a good look around her. The large room was made of a pale blue marble speckled with silver. In the centre, men and women danced gracefully to the sound of a hidden orchestra. The turquoise velvet curtains were drawn open, letting Amira’s gaze wander to the shimmering sky. All around the room, tables were filled with food and drinks. Small groups of fae conversed with glasses in their hands.
Amira walked away from the throne and made her way towards one of the tables. On her way, she noticed many fae staring at her, but they chose not to speak to her. She wondered if it was because of the impossibly obnoxious dress or because of the person who was inside of it. To avoid furthering her embarrassment by staring back, she looked up at the painted ceiling. In a dark blue sky lathered with tiny bright stars, stood the figure of the glorious goddess Falea, the protector of Turosian. She was the bringer of fortune and good luck.
Amira ran her finger over the smooth silver around her wrist. In Allamyst it would only be seen as a beautiful accessory, but she knew here in Turosian, good luck charms held importance. She wondered if it really could repel evil or if it was merely a superstition they chose to believe.
Her eyes travelled up to the ceiling again. Falea’s amber skin was lightened by her extraordinary blue eyes and shining locks of brown hair. Amira’s mother would have said that Amira looked like her. Her half-brother would have laughed in their faces.
Amira shook her head and turned her attention to the table nearby. It was filled to the brim with food and drinks to the point of obscenity.
She poured herself a glass of iridos and admired its pale colour. She could see all the nuances of a rainbow echoing in the crystal glass. It was the most marvellous drink. The sparkling liquid coated her tongue, revealing its lightly floral and spicy taste.
As she was finishing her glass, a hand lightly touched her arm. Her muscles tensed up, expecting the worst, but when she turned around, she only saw Rhay. His large welcoming smile eased her worries.
“Princess Amira, I hope you are enjoying your evening. I know how hard it must be for you to start a new life in a completely different kingdom. Well, I’m sure it won’t be that different.”
“Oh, I hope it is.” She had been praying for a different life ever since her father had died.
“You’re saying that now, but I’m sure you’ll be sad when it’s time to say goodbye to your only brother.”
If only he knew how wrong he was. But Amira could never say those things. Not even to friendly Rhay. “I will do my best not to cry too much,” she said with an even tone.
“I remember leaving Sapharos. I think I cried on the whole way to Turosian. By the end, I was crying without tears.”
Amira was surprised by this admission of weakness. “Have you ever gone back to Sapharos?”
Rhay’s gaze lingered on the ceiling. “No, my father has always made sure we didn’t have to.”
She wanted to ask more, but it felt like prying. Instead, she decided to learn more about her new home. “How long have you been an advisor?” she said right as Rhay grabbed her hand.
“Come on, let’s dance a bit. It would be a shame to waste this beautiful music.”
Amira removed her hand from Rhay’s grip. Would it be seen as improper for the future queen to be dancing with her fiancé’s advisor? She desperately needed this wedding to happen; it was her only way out of Wryen’s controlling hands. Instead of losing herself to mindless dancing, she should focus on building a relationship with Karwyn.
“I’m sorry, Rhay. I appreciate your offer, but I think I’d better go find my future husband.”Husband.It sounded empty to her, yet she would have to grow accustomed to it.
Rhay bowed deeply. “Then I wish you the best of luck. Karwyn has never been fond of small talk but you might be the one to change that.”
With a little twirl, Rhay joined the waltzing couples, quickly stealing a man’s partner. Amira felt a sharp jab in her heart. How she envied his careless attitude.
Grabbing her long skirt, she went to the door. The last time she had seen Karwyn, he was exiting the room.
* * *
Darkness surrounded her as she walked away from the safe haven of the throne room. The joyous sounds of the ball disappeared into the background. Nighttime was not helping her poor first impression of the palace. A few torches illuminated the corridor she had taken, splashing dim light on the stone walls. Amira kept walking, hoping to encounter a welcoming face or at least a better lit area. But the more she walked, the more fear settled in her bones.
