"Ready to go?" Rena asked, linking arms and giving me a little smile.
l nodded once, murmuring a compliment for the beautiful, shimmering golden gown she wore before we headed out the door.
My nerves were like an angry nest of fire wasps within my belly, buzzing like a storm beneath my skin, stinging and suffocating. I sucked in a breath as I entered the grand hall, arm in arm with Rena.
The high towering ceilings were littered with brilliant, shining golden lights casting a beautiful glow around the room. High, golden pillars lined the open space, while vines with blooming white flowers wrappedaround them. A guard was standing before each one, great, golden helms covering each of their faces.
The party already seemed to be in full swing when we entered, a fact I was entirely too grateful for as the guests, too engrossed in the celebration, hardly paid us any mind. Nobles dressed in beautiful gowns and lavish suits and tunics were dancing and drinking sparkling beverages as they laughed and conversed. A group of musicians were on a raised dais in the far corner of the room, playing an enchanting, lilting tune.
But it was themagicthat entranced me.
It was everywhere, buzzing in the air, my shadows whirling within to meet and match it as it prickled over my skin. Everywhere I looked I saw the blessed magic of Soli. Even Rena’s warm, golden light emanated from her skin, as if she were glowing. Fire danced in every corner of the room as little jeweled stones floated through the air following those who had cast them, little balls of golden light sticking to the dresses of the noble ladies who passed. It was stunning.
While people with blessed magic walked the streets of Amori City, never had I seen such a large display of abilities.
Rena pulled us further into the chaos, my head ducking as we passed a woman whose flames arced over the crowd in a dazzling burst of cascading cinders high above. My throat tightened as I watched them disperse within the air, never once touching another in the sea of awed spectators.
“Such a show off.” Rena’s lips pursed as she grabbed two flutes of some sort of alcohol from a passing attendant, shoving one into my hand. “I hate the showboating of these events, but it’s necessary for appearances.”
Her golden light shimmered and flared as she brought the drink to her mouth, downing it in one go. I followed suit, placing the empty fluteson the tray of a different attendant. My mind spun as I tried to take in all that we saw, all that we passed.
I wouldn't get drunk, not surrounded by these people, but I needed something to take the edge off of my anxiety. Needed to loosen the tension that knotted my muscles, to blend seamlessly into this crowd of aristocrats.
Rena introduced people as we went, faces and names blurring together as I struggled to truly focus in on the moment. Conversations of the quest became dull as similar questions were asked over and over.
Bran joined us soon after our arrival, his steady presence ever constant at my side. He answered any questions asked, his charm so enrapturing that the nobles hardly looked twice at me.
When the group currently occupying our time bid their farewells and well wishes, Bran leaned in close, whispering, "Are these people making you want to jump from Mount Hellenis too?"
My mouth twisted to hold back the laugh that threatened to slip past my lips as I responded, "A bit."
"I hate kissing ass," Bran muttered, pausing thoughtfully before a wicked grin graced his face. “At least metaphorically."
A laugh slipped free before I could stop it, my hand slapping his chest lightly. "Hush, before you get us into trouble."
"Did you hear of the Luanthian prisoners stolen away by rebels?"
I sought the voice that had spoken, my curiosity piqued as I moved towards the pair that were gossiping. An older woman, her face pinched with displeasure, dripping in diamonds and wearing a black chiffon gown, was who had spoken.
"A sordid affair indeed," her companion, a large man with a ruddy complexion and impressive mustache, bemoaned. "These rebels aregrowing too bold. To steal prisoners just on the outskirts of Amori City? Blasphemous, l'd say."
I approached then, hand gripping my glass as I laid a hand over my heart, feigning concern. "Prisoners stolen by rebels? How horrid."
The woman’s gaze was shrewd as the man shifted uncomfortably, his beady eyes travelling about the room to search for more prying ears. "Well yes, but—"
Laying a hand upon his arm, I asked, "How many?"
"Well six from what I heard, but I must say you are—"
"Six?" My gasp was sudden, my mind whirling as I tried to keep my composure, to continue the role of an overly nosy aristocrat. “How ever did they even manage that?"
The woman spoke this time, her gaze alight at the prospect of gossip with someone who did not already know the story. "I heard they were brought to the palace grounds for some reason or another, accompanied by the Captain of the KingsGuard and some of his men." Her pinched face glanced around before she leaned closer. "They say that when the prisoners were being taken back to Hewstone Prison that the Captain did not make the journey with them. He sent four guards in his stead, and they were attacked while traveling the road out of Amori City. They didn't even stand a chance.”
My head spun with the new information, my mind dizzy with it.
Mirabel.
It had to be Mirabel and the others.
