“Well, I must say I’m surprised.” Fyn fumbled over the silk fabric as he attempted to cuff his sleeves. Cora grabbed him by the arm, she rolled the fabric without thought—until his cuffs were both even. “I am almost never incorrect about these things, but here you are…trying to prove me wrong.”
“Fyn…” Cora’s gaze held on my tear-stained cheeks too long. “Aelira can make her own choices.”
“I didn’t want to enter by myself,” I said.
Fyn grinned. “Oh, so I wasn’t wrong.”
“I need you to stop.” I recoiled from them both.
“I don’t know what the two of you are going on about,” Cora’s hand rested on my shoulder. “But surely Fyn, you can give her a moment of peace.”
He only nodded.
My gaze met with Lioran’s from across the room. He held it for only a moment, before turning to speak with his brother.
Starlight and the moon’s glow cast light onto the intricate stone floor through the opening in the ceiling. As the musicians lifted their instruments, fae ladies and lords collected in the center of the room.
“A dance, my lady?” Elric returned to my side, his hand extended. I tensed at his request. “It may calm your nerves.”
“Aelira.” Lioran’s jaw hardened as he stepped in front of us. “You look stunning.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” I curtsied toward him as Elric’s voice eased the silence.
“Please excuse us, Your Highness. Lady Aelira and I were just about to dance,” Elric said sharply.
“You were?” Lioran gripped his biceps as his gaze hardened on mine. He didn’t interject. He said nothing at all.
“We were.” I slipped my hand into Elric’s. Lioran nodded without another word.
The fae felt the music—there was no formality in their dance, only the freedom. I tried my best to move in unison with the music, to bring myself back to the moment.
My thoughts remained with Lioran as I waited to see who he would dance with. He lifted his wine goblet to his lips, his eyes peering over it at me.
“We are much alike.” Elric’s grating voice brought me back. His blue eyes fixated on mine and the hairs on my arms rose.
“How are we alike, my lord?”
“Lythira isn’t my home, either. I was sent here by the HighCourt to help the Prince as he attempts to restore his lands.” With the next beat he stepped closer, his hand slid down to my waist.
I wanted to pull away—to free myself from him, but it wouldn’t be worth the scene it would cause.
“Do you work for the high court, or for Prince Lioran?” I searched for Lioran as the crowd turned around me, but he had vanished.
“I serve the greater good of our people and the kingdom of Nythrel. My assignment in Lythira is only temporary.” His hand held steady on my waist, pressing the corset into me further. “May I offer a piece of advice?” I nodded.
He cast a glance in Cora and Fyn’s direction. “Who you ally yourself with will be extremely important.” A knowing smirk crept across his face.
His words were so familiar—my stomach curdled as they echoed.
Thalen said something similar to me.
Elric bowed to me as the final note was strummed. I lowered into a shallow curtsy as everyone parted from the dance floor. He couldn’t have known. They were only words. It was only a phrase.
Cora reached for me as I pushed past her. I didn’t turn back.
My feet trailed the steps, pushing me out into the open. The crisp night air swirled around me, but my ragged inhale caught.
“Aelira.” Lioran chased behind me. “You left abruptly. Are you okay?” He motioned to a stone bench for me to take a seat.
