Goddess, I was going to pass out in front of all of these people. Why had no one warned me that this was going to happen?
They think it an honor, little shadow.
My eyes closed as that voice, that presence I knew so well, soothed my quaking soul.
They think you a child of Sun and Earth,
they do not know you are of Night and Shadow,
that you are a blessed Daughter of the Cursed Moon,
that you hide among them.
Waiting.
Waiting.
Waiting.
Waiting for what?I wondered back, vaguely hearing the prayer that the Priestess said over us, pushing it away as I focused solely within myself. To the magic that dwelled there and calmed my racing heart.
To take back what is rightfully ours.
The words were hissed so forcefully, so menacingly, I nearly gasped.
"Rise, chosen children of Sun and Earth," the Priestess exclaimed, "for the blessing is done."
The five of us stood, rising slowly to our feet, heads still bowed in reverence.
The King’s booming voice startled me as he moved to clap Kairen roughly on his back. "This quest shall be one written into our history books, to be remembered for eternity, as a Solerian Prince will be our deliverance from the evil that is The Fever. This curse cast upon our people over a century ago, this plague we have long since suffered will finally meet its end. Be joyous tonight, my people, for this is a night of celebration! "
Cheers sounded throughout the room, so loud my ears rang with the raucous noise. King Artius moved to sit upon his throne as the music and dancing began anew, the transition so smooth that it seemed as if it had never halted.
A voice, smooth and baritone, came from so close I could smell the harsh mint of the speaker's breath. “A dance, my lady?"
Glancing up into the golden eyes of Kairen's burly older brother, I stared at his large, thick hand held out to me in offering. I couldn't simply refuse him, could I?
My eyes searched frantically for Bran, my lips desperately straining to scowl, despite my best efforts to appear cordial. When they did land on him, I could see Bran was too busy flirting with a man dressed in a powdery blue suit, his smile coy and dashing, to come to my rescue.
Swallowing, I placed my hand in his, without any other option. He led me past Prince Kairen and Captain Delmar, my back stiffening when Prince Kassius caught the darkened fury brewing in Roan's gaze.
He gave him a lopsided, cunning smile, his arrogance like poisonous little needles pricking my heart. "Don't worry, Luanthiandog," his large hand moving to pat Roan's shoulder as we passed, "perhaps the lady will take pity and allow you a dance after I'm done with her. Soli knows no noblewoman in this room would deign to let those cursed hands touch them.”
Blood rushed to my head, my thoughts racing back to the night we had first met, my steps freezing. Hesitating.
Trained you well, have they, little guard dog?
Dog.
Dog.
Dog.
My own words echoed, haunting as they raced and spun through my mind. That look of anger, of hurt, the cold mask that had fallen over his features as soon as I had uttered those words. How sharp they must have been.
Dog.
My patience snapped, arm immediately falling from Prince Kassius' grip as I gave a wonderfully bright, forced smile. His confused lookquickly melted to rage, his cheeks reddening with it, as I took a step closer to his brother and Roan.
