“Don’t act like a lunatic, Amira, or your chance at marriage will be ruined. My patience is running thin,” a familiar voice hissed in her ear. A voice that occupied all her nightmares. But it was never just a dream.
Chapter26
Lora
Lora never thought she’d one day willingly participate in a fae celebration, yet when they’d found Mrs Marsyn setting up the garden for Falea Night, she couldn’t refuse the kind woman’s invitation. She was still unsure if Eyden had wanted her to join and, if so, why. Lora had read the question in his eyes when Mrs Marsyn insisted they get ready for tonight, but she couldn’t place the motivation behind it.
What she did know was that they weren’t going to walk to Chrysa that day as they wouldn’t make it back during daylight. So was there any harm in joining the event? It was the kind of research she’d never get access to again. For that reason, she could take being surrounded by too many fae one last time.
A knock on the door made Lora sit up on the bed in the guest room. She’d changed into the dress that was left for her and tried to style her hair by braiding part of it into a messy headband. A few dark-blonde strands fell into her face when she tilted her head up to the door.
“Come in.” She got up on tired feet and fixed her dress. It flowed down her legs in a wave of light blue, glittering satin. It had a slit on both legs and small cut outs above her waist but overall it was quite comfortable.
Eyden opened the door. His curly hair was styled for once and he had changed into navy blue trousers and a matching shirt, the material shining where the light touched it. His eyes took her in quickly before stopping at her feet. A small smile played on his lips. The slit not only revealed part of her legs but also her black ankle boots that she’d been wearing ever since Eyden handed them to her. They didn’t compliment the elegant dress but she didn’t mind.
“If you want other shoes, I’m sure Mrs Marsyn has some,” Eyden said.
“No, that’s all right.” For once, she kind of liked the idea of not fitting in completely. Lora sidestepped Eyden as she walked through the door. “Let’s do this,” she said as she held his gaze and took a step backwards.
Eyden nodded and off they went to the once rather empty garden that was now filled with silver tables and chairs. Each table was decorated with elegantly styled turquoise flower bouquets, silver threads circling the stems. A multitude of candles and torches sticking out of flowerbeds lit up the area. In the middle of the garden, a pile of wood was neatly placed together. She assumed it would make a spectacular bonfire once the sun had fully disappeared. The warm night wind brushed her bare shoulders in a comforting gesture.
The area was crowded with cheerful fae. Most were already seated. The tables were filled with food and bottles of wine, displayed on shimmering turquoise tablecloths. Lora caught sight of Ilario, who gestured for them to join him at his table.
Once everyone was seated, Mrs Marsyn tapped a spoon against her wine glass to get everyone’s attention. “Thank you all for coming. I’m so grateful that we’re all here to enjoy this meal and wine that was provided by the king himself in the name of our Goddess.”
Lora looked at Eyden in surprise. The king gave them this meal? All of this, yet fae were still starving? Eyden’s face was a perfect stoic mask. Ilario, on the other hand, looked tense. His mouth formed a tight line as he listened to his mother’s speech.
Ilario caught Lora staring. “Scraps of food. Nothing else. The thanks should go to the community.”
Lora almost missed his muttered words. If it wasn’t for Eyden’s subtle twitch, his lips curving upwards on one side, she could have sworn she’d imagined them all together.
Mrs Marsyn raised her glass and everyone followed her move. “Blessed be the fortunate Falea.”
The gathered fae repeated her words and Lora moved her lips, pretending to follow their example. Eyden lifted his glass off the table and pointed to Lora’s full one. She picked it up for show but had no intention of drinking it. To her surprise, when she looked across the table she saw fae linking arms and sharing their drinks with each other.
Intrigued, she returned her focus to Eyden; he was looking at her as if he was asking for her permission. Understanding his intention, Lora extended her arm and Eyden turned in his chair as they linked arms. He moved his glass towards her lips and Lora mirrored his movement. One of her legs was in-between his as they both shifted closer to share their drinks.
Eyden took a sip first and Lora’s breath hitched as she noted their closeness. Her bare knee grazed his thigh, the material of his trousers soft against her skin. When his eyes met hers, the intensity made her hand unsteady, but she held control and took a sip from Eyden’s glass.
The wine was sweeter than expected, coating her tongue pleasantly, and her eyes drifted shut for a second. When she met Eyden’s gaze again, she found him staring back with as much intrigue as she had hidden within her as well.
The reflection broke something loose inside her. She realised this was their last evening together. Tomorrow, they would get the cure and Lora would go back home. She would leave all of this behind her and never think of it again. So what was the harm if she enjoyed tonight? It would all disappear, turn into a faded memory of temporary insanity.
Eyden finished the glass and Lora stopped halfway through, afraid if she had too much it would make her truly forget everything. She’d rather lock it away than erase it completely.
The noise of clattering cutlery and chatter made them break apart and Lora dug into her food. She noticed this was the first time she was served meat since arriving in Liraen. Combined with the expertly prepared mashed potatoes, the dish was as exquisite as she hoped this evening would be.
* * *
The tables were moved to the side and a frighteningly large fire rose in the middle of the garden, yet no one seemed bothered by the possibility of it getting out of control. The fae apparently enjoyed the fire and stood dangerously close to it as they threw various objects into the pyre. They were instantly consumed by the flames and a midnight blue smoke gathered, mixing with the ashes floating in the wind. The smoke invaded her senses but Lora found she didn’t mind the heavy scent.
“It symbolizes good luck,” Eyden said, standing closer to her than she’d realised. “If you burn something that belonged to someone you care for, you’re ensuring them luck for the coming year.”
“I don’t have anything.” The only thing Lora had on her from her world was her rose gold necklace. Her mother had given it to her, but there was no way she could part with it. Lora could hear her mother’s voice in her head, telling her to never take it off. It felt like an anchor to home. To herself. To her human side.
“It can also be something that symbolizes the person.” There was an opening around the fire as a group of fae left. “I’ll be right back,” Eyden said as he walked to the spot.
Lora searched the garden and noticed a few irises growing on the ground. It was her mother’s favourite flower. She took it as a sign and gently plucked one of them.
