As we shifted through the crowd, I noticed the fae lady she gestured to, elegantly dressed—a raven braid draped wrapped around her head. “Lady Aelira, this is my friend, Lady Aura.” I tried to commit her name to memory.
With each word that was spoken, every attempt I made to speak, my thoughts returned to Lioran and the starlight in his eyes.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Cora has said nothing but wonderful things about you. How is Lythira treating you? I imagine it’s much different from Eyrsea…although I’ve never been.” Lady Aura’s eyes narrowed.
“Quite well.” I tried to stifle the laughter that threatened to escape me. Lioran moved just an inch, and I sensed it.
“Good. From what I hear, it seems you have our prince’s favor—which is no easy feat.” Lady Aura surveyed me.
“He shows kindness to all of his guests,” Cora interjected. Lady Aura scoffed.
“That is debatable, Lady Cora. Regardless…We are honored to have you here in the Heart.” Lady Aura lowered her head. I heard her words, and deep down I knew the threat that lingered with them, but I couldn’t respond. Lady Aura offered a faint smile before she left us.
Lioran’s scent wafted to me on a gust of wind. His stare pinned me. Cora’s jaw clenched, her grip pulsating around my wrist.
“Fyn.” Cora pulled Fyn in with her free hand. “You need to watch Lioran. Now.”
Fyn leaned in. “I see him—he’s right there. Why exactly do I need to watch him?”
“Do you see her eyes? Have you seen his?” Cora gripped my chin, angling my face toward Fyn.
“Yes, they’re brilliant tonight…very sparkly,” Fyn said.
She groaned. “That is not what I’m talking about, Fyn.” A deep breath escaped her lips. “They can’t be alone together right now.”
“I’m…fine.” I stumbled for a second.
Fyn’s voice was hushed. “Aelira, you can both do what you wish.”
“Participating in the Verdant Alignment impairs his judgement. She completed the ritual with him.” Cora’s voice was a commanding warning. “You will stay with me tonight.”
Fyn chugged a glass of wine. “Cora, stop worrying. She seems fine. He seems fine. Let’s just have a little fun tonight.” He grabbed another glass and handed it to her.
Cora pushed the glass away from her. “Pay attention, Fyn.”
My stomach dropped. Cora told me she had never done the Verdant Alignment…only Lioran had. “How do you know it impairs judgment?”
“It doesn’t matter. You just need to trust me. Neither of you will be yourself, and the way you are looking at each other right now…” Stray red hairs fell on her face, but she didn’t release me to move them.
Every breath I took, I inhaled him.
“Cora, loosen your grip a little.” Lioran snuck up behind us, his eyes wild.
“Fyn! What happened to watching?” Cora wouldn’t release me as her piercing glare settled on Lioran. I slid my free hand over my mouth, stifling another giggle.
“I can’t stop him from looking at her like that.” Fyn choked on his wine a bit as he spoke.
My control was gone—I burst into a fit of giggles.
“You should know better,” she groaned. “Just promise me you’ll keep distance for a little while until the effects of the Alignment wear off a bit.”
Lioran tilted his head. His eyes narrowed. She flinched.
“I am fine. She is fine,” he snapped as he hovered over me.
“You have mere moments, before everyone notices the two of you.” Cora dragged me to the other side of her body, awayfrom Lioran. His eyes scanned the crowd before narrowing on her.
“Fine. Aelira, I’ll see you in an hour.” He sneered at her.
