Alec straightened his lapels when two females sauntered by us, giving him appreciating stares.
Quinn, however, had a rather intent look on his face. Even though I knew him the least of the group, I was coming to learn that he relished a challenge, and tonight would certainly be that.
I smoothed my gown as energy grew at my back. I didn’t have to turn around to know that Jax’s parents had just departed from their carriage. The cheers and greetings called to them said enough.
Bristling, Jax ushered me forward. “Is everyone ready to start looking?”
One by one, all of our friends nodded.
I took a deep breath. The butterflies were dancing so vigorously in my stomach I felt nauseous.
Lars moved silently to stand by my side. “We’ll find her, Elowen. Fear not.”
I gave him a grateful smile.
“If anyone happens to see her, signal the rest of us immediately. Does everyone have their charm?” Jax pulled his from his pocket, a small ball that looked like a marble. It’d been spelled to glow and warm if one was trying to communicate. Depending on who signaled it, the glow would change color, and a tracking spell would be triggered, pulling the others toward them.
“We all have ours.” Bowan tucked his back into his pocket. “Let’s go.”
The entire group split up, Jax’s guards not bothering to accompany us as they usually did. Given how large the outdoor field was that the ball was being held at, the numerous food stands, the plethora of entertainment venues, the multiple game areas, and the various dancing floors that had been constructed for a huge gathering, it would truly be a miracle if we found Lorasbelle before the night’s end even if the semelees had shared specific images with me.
Jax’s hand pressed to my lower back, and I could have sworn that a hiss came from behind us. I didn’t turn. I’d come to learn that disapproving sound from his father all too well.
Jax steered us away from the carriages. “Forget about them.” He leaned down and nipped at my ear. “Tonight is about you.”
We meandered through the crowds, some people recognizing Jax, others not. A few times we were stopped so fae could pay their respects to him. I barely even heard what was said.
I couldn’t stop scanning the field, but as I took in the crowd, scents, and warm breeze, some of my anxiety faded. There were more commoners here than nobles, so surely she was here. Most were dressed finely, and I knew that many of the fae present had likely spent full seasons saving up for their gowns and tunics, my sister probably no exception.
Jax propelled me along, and our feet stepped over the colorful grass brushing against our ankles. Music rang throughout the hill, a lively and jovial sound. It called to me, igniting my senses, and my hand tapped on my thigh as I searched and searched for a golden-haired female in a silver dress.
“There’s a chocolate fountain over there.” Jax pointed toward a long table. At its center, a three-tiered fountain looked like a dripping chocolate waterfall. Surrounding it were platters of fruits and sweets that fae were spearing with long toothpicks before dunking under the cascading chocolate.
“I suppose we should wait here. This looks like what the semelees showed me.” I stopped close by the fountain, nervously turning and searching the crowd. Across the hillside, I caught sight of another chocolate fountain, so far that I could barely see it, but a flash of red hair near it alerted me to Lars. He’d stopped himself by that one and was also scanning the crowd.
I took some comfort in that. The landscape appeared so similar everywhere I looked, that even though the chocolate fountain I waited at looked identical to what the semelees had shown me, I wasn’t entirely certain I was in the right spot.
“How many fountains do you suppose there are?” I asked Jax quietly as someone brushed by my side to grab a pastry from the table.
Jax’s brow furrowed, and he assessed the numerous venues. “I count at least six banquet tables that I can easily see, so if each hillside has that many...”
My heart felt about to burst. Despite what the semelees had shown me, it would be near impossible to find her.
But Jax just leaned down and ran his hand soothingly up and down my back. “We’ll find her, my love. We will.”
We waited near the fountain, and the sun slowly set, allowing the galaxy to come alive. The music grew louder, the crowd thicker, and the laughter and conversation livelier. Drink was freely flowing, fae were dancing, and everywhere I looked were smiling and happy fae.
It was as though the entire continent was celebrating.
I twisted my fingers in my gown, but as I was about to turn away from the fountain to search the crowd again, a flash of silver caught in my peripheral vision.
I turned as though in slow motion, my body moving as though attached to a string.
Golden hair cascaded down a female’s back as a bright, glittering silver gown fell around her. It brushed against the grass, and a flash of magenta caught my eye when she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
My breath stopped.
My heart pounded.
