“Godance,”Abraxaswhispered to me. “Enjoyyourself,I’llfind you whenI’mdone.”Hedidn’t have to tell me twice.Ismiled at him, then ran off towards the fire in my bare feet.
Ijoined the circle of dancers, moving with them, our hearts beating together.Sweatquickly built on my brow from the warm summer air in contrast to the cool grass between my toes.ButthenIfelt it, that warm sensation, trickling up through me, running up my legs and body into my arms.Ialmost jerked away, unsure of what would happen, butIfelt it flow into the circle of dancers and we all came alive.Ourfeet moved faster, but our energy grew.Theflowers in the girls’ hair shimmered and bloomed brighter and our skin glowed with a sweet warm light.Iheard laughter from every direction, as euphoria raced through the crowd.AndthenIsaw it.
Onegirl, beautiful with flowing locks of golden hair.Sheglowed brighter than all the rest.Thevines on her head grew into spikes, a true crown for tonight’s queen.Ireleased the handsIheld, but the magic stayed, winding its way amongst the crowd.ButImade my way to the glowing girl, and gently pulled her from the circle.Shewore a grin of pure, undiluted delight as she grabbed my hands and started spinning us in our own dance.Herwhite skirts flared and her bare feet skipped along with mine asIguided us towards tonight’s king.
“I’venever been so happy, andIdon’t know why!”Shegiggled, and kept dancing, “Doyou think it could be me?CouldIbe the queen?Whatan honor!”Shedarted her eyes over to the boy who would be her consort tonight, andIsaw color rise in her cheeks. “He’sso handsome.No, it couldn’t be me.”Hereyes lowered.
“Iwouldn’t be so sure, mysterious forces are at play on nights like this.”Igrinned at her as her eyes widened.Butbefore she could respond,Ispun her, and her feet flew across the ground until she landed in the arms of the waiting stag king.Isaw his eyes widen as well, as his arms wrapped around her.Hischeeks matched hers as they glowed red, but after just a moment, the magic had caught him too, and they danced together.
“Playingmatchmaker,Isee,”Abraxassaid, returning to my side. “Andthat’s not all, it seems.”Ihit him with my most innocent look, and he chuckled. “Timeto head back to the castle, butIhope you saved a dance for me, my little enchantress.”
* * *
Thenobles hadall gathered in the throne room, and it had been transformed into a beautiful garden.Greeneryran up the walls, and instead of the traditional torches, hundreds of tiny candles had been lit to fill the scene, twinkling like stars in the night.
Eachof the nobles looked like exotic flowers, their clothes in every shade imaginable.Themusic was light and lovely, matching the atmosphere of the celebration still running wild outside our walls.Istill had a few hours beforeHadeon’sexpected arrival, andIwouldn’t waste it.
Igrabbed a glass of ambrosia and was going to make my way over toLadyLovatiaand her companions for a bit of gossip when a strong hand gripped around my waist.
“Iwill be taking that dance now,Princess.”Abraxasgrinned, in a manner so unlike his normal courtly appearance.Icouldn’t resist.Iset my glass down and let him lead me out to the dance floor.Wehadn’t danced sinceLupercalia, and we had never danced together at court.
Itwas ridiculous to feel nervous.Itwas obviously known we had a relationship, but somehow this felt different than hasty hallway dalliances.Thisfelt more revealing.Buthe hit me with that smileIknew onlyIgot to see, andItruly was enchanted.
Hecarefully grabbed my waist and injured arm and we were off.Ihad learned more of the dances now and was able to follow along more gracefully.Heguided me around the floor, and through various spins and dips, andIfound myself completely lost in him.
Hespun me around again, and whenIreturned to him, instead of catching my hands, he let me fall into him, wrapping his arms around my back, and holding me close.Theambrosia and magic of the night made me bold, soIteased him, “Carefulnow,YourMajesty.Keepholding me like this and everyone will think there is truth to our engagement rumors.”
Hiseyes twinkled, “Oh, so you think you could have me, do you?”
“Well,Icould, couldn’tI?”Ipouted at him.
Hisface dropped to be much more serious, and he held my gaze, “Yes.Everypart of me.”Myheart stuttered at his answer, but beforeIcould even regain my breath, he brought his lips to mine and kissed me tenderly before his entire court.
Myheart fully stopped then, thinking of what his words meant, what they revealed.Hepulled back from the kiss, andIslid my hand up to his jaw, lost in the eternal meadows of his eyes, “Abraxas,I—"
ButbeforeIcould form my thoughts, the doors of the ballroom flew open, andEmperorHadeonstrolled in.
Mybody seized, and feltAbraxassqueeze me closer for just a moment before striding over to the emperor, surreptitiously placing his body between me and our enemy.
“YourEminence,Iwasn’t expecting you until this evening.”
“Norshould you have,Abraxas,Iwanted to make this visit a surprise.”Hiseyes twinkled as they locked eyes with me.Hewore elaborately decorated violet robes, as he always did, covered in gold embroidery of the flaming crown.Oneach of his arms clung a fae.Onhis left was a beautiful female with long, flowing golden brown hair, and fair skin.Shewore a golden gown that, on closer inspection, was a beautiful combination of sheer and opaque in the appropriate places and clung to her body like oil.Shewas stunning, but her features were fierce, those of a hunter.Thismust have beenPallas, his long-time consort.
Onhis right, an equally beautiful male with tan skin and dark hair shorn short, only hanging long in the front, creating casually swept bangs.Hewore a magenta jacket, and was covered in gold jewelry that complimented the golden eyeliner that accented his almond shaped eyes.
Bilerose in my throat, andIhad to use all the strengthIhad not to heave all over the floor.Ihadn’t recognized him, his hair short and eyes dazed, but my brother stood there next to our mother’s murderer, his head lying intimately on his shoulder.Thetwinkle in the emperor’s eye had turned malicious as he saw the recognition in my gaze.
“Ithought our dear princess here would like to see her brother; it has been such a while.Besides, we have some very good news.”Theremust have been a very long pause, butIdidn’t notice it as time seemed to cease existing whileIstared at my brother who wouldn’t meet my gaze.
“Whatis your good news,DivineEmperor?”Abraxas’slips were tight, andIcould feel him trying to calm me, keeping his body in front of mine to prevent me from pouncing.
“Tellher, my love.”Hadeonswept a soft kiss overJun’sbrow, and an acidic taste filled my mouth.Junfinally met my eyes for just a moment, before turning to the emperor and whispering in his ear.
“Well, of course, darling.Yousee, in theCourtofFlameswe don’t really participate in marriage, such a naive andhumantradition.Butmy lover,Junhere, has pledged himself to me for eternity, just asPallashas.”Henuzzled his nose intoPallas’ hair and neck, but her face remained unmoved.ButIdidn’t have time to decipher how she really felt about all this, as my mind had turned into a sea of lava, and allIcould see was red.
Ilunged, hands and nails outstretched, butAbraxascaught me across the chest.Hepressed his mouth to my ear. “Calmyourself, now.”ButIcould barely hear him and thrashed my hands out as ifIcould claw the emperor to death. “Stilla hellcat,Isee.Abraxas,Iexpected more from you on getting this little beast in line.”
“Sheseems more than willing to submit for the right rewards,Hadeon.”Abraxastried to remain calm, keeping that cool aristocratic mask in place while he pulled my back to his chest, locking my arms to my side.Hefinally had me under control whenHadeonturned to my brother and ran a single golden nail down his cheek.
