I took deep steadying breaths before nodding to Max. I was as ready as I would ever be.
“Let’s give the wolves what they want,” I said lowly, and one of the guards coughed a laugh. I smiled slightly, my nerves easing a touch at the brief humor.
Though, that feeling quickly evaporated as the doors opened.
Chapter 17
Ellowyn
Acrier called for attention from the guests milling about the expansive space while I stood frozen in the doorway, greedily drinking in the details of the room. My mother, for all her flaws and faults, had a superior eye for parties and the ambiance that came with high-society events. The normally dark ballroom was awash in white—long, gauzy curtains draped from the ridiculously high ceiling all the way to the floor and billowed softly in a Mage-manufactured breeze. That breeze only affected the curtains, and luckily so, because there were thousands of candles that floated in the air, which provided the only light for the night. The dark stone floor seemed to sparkle, and the contrast against the white curtains was stunning. Dozens of long tables lined the outskirts of the room, framing an open dance floor that housed the majority of guests as they mingled and flirted. Conversation ebbed and flowed, a cacophony of laughs and the buzz of voices floating through the space.
My family joined them for the time being, but there was a shorter head table directly across from the ballroom entrance where we would all sit tonight. Normally my father would occupy the middle of the table, but that honor seemed to be reserved for Lord d’Refan and I. My father’s chair was already occupied by the visiting lord, his eyes trained on me, and my mother’s normal chair—my spot for the evening—was swathed in the same white gauze that hung from the ceiling.
The whole image took my breath away, and I was suddenly incredibly grateful for my mother’s planning. I took two deep, calming breaths, careful to keep my features schooled yet inviting.
The ballroom quieted, the buzz of conversation dying at once, and everyone turned to look at me as the crier announced my arrival. “Lords and ladies, please welcome tonight’s guest of honor, Miss Ellowyn d’Aelius!”
A polite smattering of applause broke out as the guests nearest to me fell into curtsies and bows. I inclined my head and was relieved to see Peytor moving through the crowd toward me. Mother may have trained me in the expected etiquette and my responsibilities for the night, but I was completely helpless at the front of the room.
Do I wait for someone to escort me? Do I move myself?
Thankfully Peytor took the decision out of my hands. He bowed once he reached me, and I curtsied in return, both of us playing our parts. There was still a smattering of applause as Peytor took my arm and led me to the middle of the open dance floor. I smiled at guests as we slowly strolled to our positions. We fell into a quick-paced dance as the applause quieted, but I felt the presence of power the entire time I was guided by Peytor. Without looking, I knew who was watching my every move. It appeared that Lord d’Refan’s earlier fixation carried over to this evening, much to Peytor’s annoyance, if his muttered curses about the lord were anything to go by.
I couldn’t decide if I was completely unnerved or wildly pleased by the thought of Lord d’Refan staring at me, of all people. As Peytor and I danced, I mentally guarded myself for the rest of the night—being in the same space as Lord d’Refan put me enough on edge. But the thought of sitting next to him for the entirety of the meal and the presentation of my suitors nearly sent me fleeing back to the safety of my rooms, and I felt my palms slick at the thought.
The dance with Peytor was over all too soon, and we bowed to each other before he escorted me to our seats at the table. The milling guests seemed to take that as their cue as they, too, took their seats at the long tables surrounding the room. I quickly glanced about as I took my seat, fluffing my skirts so they wouldn’t bunch under me as I sat, and noticed even more of the black-outfitted Mages lining theexterior of the room.
Where had they all come from?
Lord d’Refan clearly brought more than just a handful of Mages with him on this trip. I understood the need for protection, but something about the blatant show of power set my teeth on edge, and I fiddled with my hands beneath the table.
If the General is as powerful as the waves of power indicate, why does he need so many guards?
I was shaken from my thoughts when a hand gently touched my arm from my left. I quickly turned my head and was met with Lord d’Refan’s pitch-black gaze, stunningly still again.
Maybe the shaky eyes were a nervous tick?
“You look absolutely stunning this evening, Ellowyn. White is very becoming on you. It complements your innocence nicely.” He smiled and ran his hand over the collar of my dress. I involuntarily shivered at his touch. The word “innocence” seemed to have a double meaning as he said it, and I shifted in my seat. The comment made me feel dirty and I inched a bit to my right.
Swallowing my discomfort, I gave him a tight-lipped smile with a bow of my head.
“Thank you, Lord d’Refan. Your ensemble matches your eyes and hair quite well.” Lord d’Refan barked a laugh before removing his hand from my neck. I wasn’t sure the reason for the laugh, it reallywasa nicely tailored black tunic and pair of pants. Aside from the small golden circlet he wore on his brow, there were no other adornments on his body. I caught a glimpse of his General sitting to his left and noticed that they wore the same outfit, the only difference was their mark of station. I simultaneously found the similarities endearing and odd.
“You are quite something, Ellowyn. And please, call me Alois. All my friends do, and I would like to be friends, wouldn’t you?” His voice was silky smooth, his charm disarming.
Father doesn’t call him Alois.
Warning bells rang in my head, and I nodded rather than risk replying. I feared anything I said would be seen immediately as a falsehood.
Luckily our conversation was cut short as my father sent a light gust of wind across the room, carrying a whisper of silence with it. Conversation died and all eyes turned to me once more. My father stood from the tablewith a smile. As I watched him, I caught my mother’s eye from my father’s right. Her eyes were trained on Lord d’Refan with an alarming intensity. I sent her what I hoped was a small smile of confidence, one she didn’t return, and I turned my gaze back to Father.
“Lords and ladies, friends and allies, thank you for attending this most momentous and happy occasion as my only daughter turns twenty-five.” His voice was loud and carried easily through the space even without the use of his Air Magic. He set a hand on my shoulder as he spoke, his voice warm and his touch reassuring. “Tonight, my daughter will have her Awakening Ceremony and she will finally come of age. Many of you are anxious to see her power, I am sure, as are we all! But I know many of you are more excited about the prospect of uniting your house with ours. Tonight, I, along with Lord d’Refan, will entertain suitors for my daughter’s hand in marriage.”
There was a “hear, hear!” somewhere in the crowd, and a titter of laughter followed, which my father copied. He squeezed my shoulder in comfort, and I relaxed. While I knew the betrothal process was important, not just for my family but for the entirety of the Northern Territories, I also knew that my father wouldn’t betroth me to a man I hated. I had the ultimate say in who I ended up with, as did Peytor, which was unheard of in Elyrian high society. It was a blessing and a comfort—one I knew fueled the whispers of gossip throughout the North.
“Maybe we’ll also find a match for my son, eh?” he jested as he leaned down the table to make eye contact with Peytor, who was seated next to Finian. Peytor simply smiled and raised his glass in acknowledgment before tossing back the contents. Another round of laughs followed his actions; Peytor’s perpetual bachelorhood was legendary in the northern part of Elyria. The crowd quieted again as my father picked up his glass in his right hand and held it aloft. “We are most grateful for, and incredibly honored by, the presence of Lord d’Refan tonight. We’re not sure what Hestin did to catch your eye, Lord d’Refan, but we are grateful nonetheless.” No one else could hear the strain in my father’s words, but there was something lurking beneath the surface that caused my heart to beat in my throat. He tightened his grip on my shoulder before raising his glass to Lord d’Refan and bowing his head.
The guests followed suit with a chorus of “Lord d’Refan!” The crowd quieted again, and my father continued his speech.
