Page 58
“Let’s go,” Xael said, heading toward the archway that led into the ballroom with Kavina trailing behind him, demanding answers.
I wasn’t sure what all that was about, but thinking back, I’d only seen Kavina in black tactical gear except for the day we went to try on dresses. She’d worn black then too. I hadn’t thought anything of it.
“We should head inside too,” Ash said. “The guys are waiting at our table.”
Soft piano played beneath the melody of conversation and the clink of crystal glasses as guests—both horned and not—sipped cocktails and talked amongst themselves.
The sheer size of the ballroom made me pause just inside the door.
Towering mirrors lined the ivory walls around the room instead of windows to the outside world. Amber light from enormous crystal chandeliers reflected endlessly in them, making the space bright and warm. Heavy ivory curtains embroidered with gold thread framed the mirror panels in sweeping folds.
Ash’s large hand rested against my lower back as he guided me forward across the polished marble dance floor in the center of the room, avoiding curious eyes and dancing couples.
Round tables surrounded the dance floor, draped in the finest ivory jacquard fabric with an interwoven golden damask pattern. Massive floral centerpieces rose high above them, featuring dramatic arrangements of pale ivory flowers, dark blooms, and cascading greenery threaded with crystal strands that reflected the overhead lights and the glow of votive candles.
By the time we reached the table where the guys waited for us, I wanted nothing more than to go home and lock myself in my bedroom.
Rinlora had warned me people would be curious about whoever Fate deemed worthy enough to be an heir’s Nyrith. And with Fate deciding to put me with all four of them, I became a huge topic of conversation all across Elyrdin—not just the city of Alonia.
She’d told me everyone knew. They’d televised my execution ceremony across the entirety of Elyrdin, after all.
The guys stood as we approached, and my breath caught.
Cyn and Zeke wore similar formal attire to Ash, whereas Ezra’s outfit looked quite different. His dark coat fell nearly to his ankles, sapphire silk lining the lapels and peeking from the open front. Silver embroidery traced the edges of the coat and curled across the lapels in an intricate pattern, catching the light whenever he moved. Beneath his coat, a sapphire vest and matching tie with black filigree stood out against the black fabric.
He embodied the very image of the future king of Elyrdin that Cornaith expected him to become.
Ezra’s gaze found mine before drifting slowly over me in what felt like a physical caress, taking in the matching gemstones, the dress, and every other detail Cornaith had carefully arranged.
I wondered what he thought.
Did he hate it because anyone could see his father had positioned us like pawns on a chessboard—or did he see past that? And if he did, what did he think of me?
The weird twist in my stomach made me question why I cared.
“Rae,” Zeke breathed my name in awe as he reached me. “You look…” He didn’t finish his sentence, but he didn’t have to. The rich aroma of sweet vanilla reached me, letting me know how my appearance affected him.
He wasn’t the only one affected.
The surrounding air was thick with the combined scents of Ezra’s dark woods and Cyn’s blooming jasmine.
Well, that answered my question.
I looked down at my hands, feeling my face heat, unable to hide how their scents affected me.
“Young masters,” Ranthus said, approaching us. “Master requests your presence at the front.” He turned and took two steps before pausing. “Bring your Nyrith,” he added, giving me a sidelong glance as if I were an afterthought.
It seemed he wasn’t over the attitude I gave him in Cholian.
Well, too bad. I wasn’t over him locking me in a cage like an animal.
Ash slid his hand down my arm and linked his fingers with mine. “Duty calls,” he said, schooling his face into something passive.
I didn’t like it.
Every time he interacted with the council, he put on a mask that hid his light from the world.
A long table draped in the same jacquard fabric, with a gold runner down the middle, overlooked the dance floor.
