Page 234 of Cursed Evermore

Thousands of floating orbs of light drifted beneath the high vaulted ceiling, casting a warm golden glow over everything they touched. Garlands of midnight-blue roses and silver ivywound around the tall marble columns, while the floors gleamed like polished obsidian, reflecting the enchanted torches that flickered above the long tables lining the walls. The soft music playing in the background created the perfect ambiance.

The setup was reminiscent of events of the past that my mother would host. She would have loved this.

The ballroom held perhaps two hundred guests, all adorned in their finest court attire.

Males were dressed in dark velvet doublets, while ladies in elaborate gowns decorated with precious stones whispered behind painted fans. All moved with the practiced grace of nobility. The room felt comfortably filled without being crowded, with space for hearty conversation and dancing yet intimate enough that every whispered secret might find eager ears.

I saw many faces I recognized, others I didn't. Thankfully, King Paeulyn of Thalyrius and his daughter were not among them. The king had a habit of showing up fashionably late for every event he attended. I didn't know what the daughter was like, but I presumed she wouldn't make an entrance without her father. That worked perfectly for me.

I spotted Dreynthor at the top of the room. He saw me, too. In fact, he saw me first.

He was talking with some noble Fae who I guessed were from the Southern Isles because of their tanned skin.

Dreynthor acknowledged Bastian and me with a raise of his goblet and one of his fake-as-fuck smiles. We nodded back. Though I tried to keep a straight face, my gut twisted with quiet unease.

Bastian and I made our way through the crowd. Those we passed either greeted us or bowed to show their respect.

When we reached the center of the room, the doors on the opposite side swung open, and in walked Elariya. On Garrick's arm. Beside them was Arielle.

We stopped and watched them.

A surge of madness threatened to overpower me just from seeing Garrick touching my mage, but I was so taken with her beauty that I could barely remember how to breathe.

Elariya waltzed in like an artist's vision. Her blood-red hair was swept up in an elegant chignon with soft tendrils framing her face, the rich crimson a striking contrast against the midnight black of her gown.

The dress was a masterpiece of intricate lace and flowing tulle with a plunging neckline. Delicate black embroidery traced across her skin and sheer sleeves decorated with the same elaborate lacework glided over her arms.

Every step sent the elaborate train whispering across the marble, commanding everyone's attention.

Nearly every eye within my vicinity was fixed on her. And rightly so. She was breathtaking.

She seemed engrossed in whatever Garrick was saying. Arielle was giving him one of her sarcastic stares, which told me he was shit-talking, regaling them with one of his crazy stories. Still, they both laughed.

“Easy, there,” Bastian muttered at my ear. “You don't want to fight here in front of everyone.”

We both looked down at my clenched fist pressed against my side and shadows curling around my boots.

“I'm fine,” I answered through gritted teeth.

“Garrick is just being himself.” Bastian chuckled, shaking his head at me. “He can't help it.”

“He needs to try fucking harder.”

As soon as I spoke, Elariya turned, and our eyes locked. She was too far away to hear what I said, but it was as if she had.

The ballroom with all its magical lights and chattering guests faded to nothing. And in my world, there was only her.

Only those eyes that held mine with an intensity that made my chest tighten. Only this moment with the space between us keeping us apart.

For a heartbeat that felt like eternity, we simply stared at each other across the crowded room, and I watched as her lips parted, her breath catching just as mine had.

The longing in her gaze was unmistakable, raw and unguarded. I couldn't look away. Neither could she.

Bastian started to speak again, but I didn't hear him. I walked toward her, my only thought to be near her, get closer, touch her. Her arms slipped out of Garrick's, and she came to me, too. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him watching her, but the moment he spotted me, he gave me a respectful smile. Elariya and I looked at nothing but each other as we crossed the ballroom.

When we finally met in the middle, I took her hand in mine and leaned closer, drawn by an irresistible pull. I was ready to kiss her right there, forgetting where we were, forgetting the hundred eyes watching us, forgetting everything but the need to have her in my arms.

I barely managed to compose myself and step back before I caused a scandal. But I still held her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles, pretending I was greeting her in our customary manner.