“It’s not that.” Inanna stared out the window once more. “Can you feel it?”
“Feel what?” Ambrose asked. She felt plenty of things.
“Magick. Something’s different. It has been since that day,” Inanna whispered more to herself than Ambrose, lost in thought. “Something has shifted in the air.”
“I mean, aside from learning to control my own powers, I don’t think so.” Ambrose turned her face to the stars. “If that’s what you mean?”
Inanna shook her head again, biting her bottom lip. “No, that’s not what I mean.”
Ambrose’s face fell into concern, the corners of her mouth pulled down as she took in the princess. “Areyouokay?”
“I’m sure it’s nothing.” Inanna seemed to come back from the thoughts plaguing her mind and smiled at Ambrose. “Good luck tomorrow. I have complete faith in you, I know you’re going to do—” She placed a hand on Ambrose’s shoulder and her face fell as her eyes went from a deep violet to a milky white color.
Terrified, Ambrose squeezed her hand. “Inanna?”
The Oracle’s mouth opened and the voice that came from her wasn’t Inanna’s but something far older.“Stolen lands and unclaimed power, fire reigns an endless shower. Ten is Twelve with no power, one unseen of fruits devoured. What once was lost at midnight hour, only the found can empower.”
As quickly as it began, Inanna’s eyes returned to their natural color and her knees buckled as she collapsed. Ambrose reached out and caught her before her head could hit the ground, cradling the princess’ body before she made contact with the marble floor.
Ambrose shook her lightly. “Inanna!”
Her eyes fluttered open with a groan as she sat upright.
“Are you okay?” Ambrose asked, concern growing.
Inanna placed a hand to her forehead as Ambrose carefully helped her back to her feet. It took a moment for her to regain her bearings, swaying on her feet while she rubbed her temple. Her eyes snapped open and she grabbed Ambrose demanding, “What did I say?”
“Um…” Ambrose did her best to try and remember but she hadn’t been prepared for the princess to collapse in front of her. “Something about ‘unclaimed power’…?”
Inanna quickly pulled her veil back over her face. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”
“Careful.” Ambrose held her arms out, ready to catch the Oracle were she to fall again. “That looked pretty intense, don’t stress yourself.”
“I’m sorry.” Inanna fled down the hall, her black cloak flying behind her.
“What just happened?” Ambrose watched her vanish down the hall, confused more than ever.
Mind racing, Ambrose decided it was time to get back to the festivities before Casimir sent someone hunting for her. She rejoined the hall, nobles and royalty singing happily as Trial Champions drank away what could be their last night. Eager to tell Lily what just happened, Ambrose rushed to find her in the crowd, but she’d abandoned her seat.
A hand as cold as ice snaked its way around Ambrose’s waist. “May I have this dance?”
Fuck.
“What do you want?” She narrowed her eyes at Casimir as he peered down at her with that frozen, stalking stare.
“I was looking for my favorite Trial Champion,” Casimir said, pulling her towards the center where bodies swung and danced.
“I’m not in the mood to dance.” Ambrose tried to pull herself away from him.
Casimir grabbed her hand with his free one and pulled her body in so it twirled to meet his. Fluid enough to not draw attention, sharp enough to tell her it wasn’t a request. His chest was as cold as a corpse as it touched hers and she pushed herself away a few inches.
“I wasn’t actually asking.”
He spun her expertly across the dance floor, feet moving as though he were gliding on ice as he twirled them around.
“Fine. One dance,” she bit out.
Casimir let his eyes wander over her, how the dress hugged her body, the chains that hung from her and finally the collar on her neck. “You look ravishing tonight.”
