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fifty-four

M y eyes blinked as they adjusted to the bright ballroom. Black tendrils of smoke spilled off of us, contrasting against my moon-white gown. An opulent party surrounded us, but my focus was solely on Rafael.

We arranged ourselves into position. Someone gasped.

A glass shattered. And then I heard our dance instructor, Archibald, cheering.

“Bravo! What an entrance! We were told you weren’t coming, but this arrival was well worth the suspense!

” He clapped his hands enthusiastically.

I tried to keep a straight face as the musicians gawked at each other in confusion, fumbled with their instruments, and began to play at his instruction.

Archie turned to the crowd, as rehearsed. “Ladies and Gentle Fae, may I present Prince Rafael Ruhn and our very own world walker, Princess Marigold of Aurelius!” He beamed as the crowd cheered.

Raf locked eyes with me and we began to spin around the floor, bending and twirling. I dared a quick glance around the room and spotted Galen’s auburn hair as he stood next to Isla. They both wore matching green formal wear—a gold crown glittered atop Galen’s head.

I’d never seen him in a crown. I pulled my lips back in a silent snarl. Raf should be the one wearing a crown. He’d make a better King than his brother, in every way that mattered.

Galen and Isla’s mouths were gaping open so wide, it was nearly comical. I’d taken his surprise reveal from him. I was supposed to be standing where she stood. He looked as if he might turn into a raging ball of fire and combust.

If I let my fear rise to the surface, I’d crumble to the floor. I reminded myself that I was safe in Raf’s arms. Sylvia sat on her throne, unimpressed and aloof, in a royal blue gown. But I knew she was steaming inside. They’d lost the world walker and now here she was, on her own terms.

The Elders were salivating as they sat in a neat row at the edge of the dance floor. They looked a little too comfortable and it made me uneasy. Had Galen told them what I was? We were taking such a big risk—we were in the enemy’s territory with only blind faith and minimal backup to save us.

I faltered. This was all too much, too soon. I struggled to breathe, taking shallow, short gasps. My lungs were burning, my chest felt tight and heavy. We were using ourselves as live bait.

So many faces blurred together in an endless sea of faeries, all watching us. I saw a flash of my mother’s pale, limp hand on the floor. Her golden hair strewn across her face. I stumbled a step as stars danced across my vision. I was going to faint.

Raf leaned in close. “Look at me.” My eyes were unblinking as they scanned the room frantically. “Goldie, look at me,” he said more sternly. My gaze found his and I focused on the golden flecks in his irises. An entire galaxy of stars stared back at me.

“There you are.” He smiled. “Let the rest fade away. Slow your breathing—that’s it. We’re almost done. Say the word and we can leave and never return.”

If he was worried, it didn’t show on his face.

I took a deep breath, letting my anxiety roll off of me.

It was just him and I; training in the grove, galloping through forests, fighting side by side, flying through the stars.

It was just us . This was nothing compared to what we’d accomplished together.

I touched nose to nose with him as he dipped me one last time and kissed me in front of everyone.

Even though he’d warned me that he was going to kiss me for dramatic effect, I was still unprepared when his lips met mine.

Moonlight filled my soul as our mouths melded together in perfect synchronicity.

Chills shot down my spine and fire licked through my core.

The combination melted me into a sopping puddle.

For one magical moment, the crowd faded and it was just Raf and I, locked in a romantic embrace that rearranged the cosmos.

And then Galen exploded. “Get your hands off her! She’s mine .” He spewed his words like a hissing tomcat, hurrying towards us, flames in hand. Before he could reach us, Raf and I had our shields up .

Shadows swirled around us as Rafael released a low growl.

“Never again will you lay a finger on her, because once I'm through with you, you won't have any left .” The power emanating from him reminded me that a dragon slept dormant under his skin.

I shivered as the room was swallowed in darkness.

The terrified crowd of faeries faded from view, until it was just us and Galen.

Rafael kept his magic reeled in most of the time.

He didn’t usually want the attention, didn’t want his title.

That version of him was absent tonight as he let the court size him up in all his glory.

Perhaps the first whispers of whether Galen was truly the best fit for successor would start this very evening.

“I will dance on your ashes,” Galen seethed, sending fire towards us. I flinched as the flames ricocheted off our combined shields.

While Sylvia’s guards rushed around her, attempting to clear the Ballroom of the thick black smoke emanating from Raf, the Queen’s voice pierced the air.

“Galen, let the whore make her way through the entire Ruhn family tree before she brings us to Erador, if that’s her wish.

She’s here, be glad of that. You’re promised to another. ”

As the fog cleared, I took her in. She had the lethal stare of a reptile that had gone too long without a meal. “Dance, Prince Galen. Show off your betrothed to the court,” she commanded. Isla smiled triumphantly. Galen looked ready to murder his mother.

The veins in his neck bulged as he walked over to Isla and took her hand. We exited the dance floor as they shouldered past us. “This isn’t over,” Galen snapped, swinging Isla to face him.

Isla looked down her nose at me. “Human trash,” she said convincingly. I bit my lip to keep from laughing.

While they danced, we watched the Elders whisper to each other.

Would they try to attack us in the open, in front of the party guests?

It didn’t seem their style, preferring to have their dirty work done for them.

They were all glowing with magic that had probably been collected from the dead.

I wanted to shift into my unicorn form and rattle them, end them , but we had people depending on us.

I wondered if their souls were as shriveled as the Oracle’s, if starlight would be enough to kill them.

“Don’t drink the wine,” Raf whispered to me. “They could easily slip poison or powdered jasper into it.” He looked past me and smiled. “ More guards just arrived… and some of them are sentinels that should be patrolling the forest. So far, so good.”

He gave me a quizzical look as I stared at him. “Do I have something on my face?” he asked, diligently scanning the crowd.

“No. I’m just happy to be standing next to you, instead of him .

Galen was going to propose to me in front of everyone tonight.

I feel like I just dodged a cross-bow bolt to the chest.” He was barely listening, focused on a scuffle in the crowd, and I couldn’t help asking, “Do you think we created enough of a stir with our kiss?”

His head turned sharply and I felt the full weight of his gaze settle over me, making my stomach flip. “If we didn’t, I’m willing to give it another shot.” He pulled me to him, closing the space between us. I grimaced when he touched my back.

He gave me a look edged with concern. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

Damn. I’d been avoiding telling him. “Galen burned my back. I haven’t fully healed yet, because of the jasper.”

Shadows exploded as he started towards Galen, who was still occupied on the dance floor. I clung to his arm, holding him back. He began to drag me across the floor and I huffed, “Stop, Raf…”

“Let me finish this—for all the times he’s hurt you. I can’t let it stand. Please, ” he begged, like my pain was his to bear.

“We’ll get our revenge when the time is right. Don’t turn broody-brute on me now. I need you to keep your head.” I put a hand to his cheek. He slowly relaxed, taking long, deep breaths.

“If I get the chance, I’m taking it. He deserves to die for what he did to you. And I want to be the one to end him.”

I needed to change the subject quickly. “Would you like to walk me around and introduce me to your peers?”

“My peers?” he scoffed. “No, but I will. Prepare to be amazed by the vapid nature of ancient creatures.” Sighing, he rolled his shoulders, as we made a wide circle around the room, trying to keep the attention on us.

His shield surrounded me as we mingled, unsettling the guests.

I could feel eyes on us as soldiers continued to pour in.

We were surrounded. Great for Louis and the rest of the group, hopefully not fatal for us.

We pushed past bodies, while I took in my first faerie festival.

Most people were dressed in jewel-toned formal attire, showing off indecent amounts of skin.

Some were completely naked and strategically painted.

Many embellished their features with glitter and makeup.

Elements of nature adorned both sexes: Feathers, shells, leaves, fur, antlers and flowers.

Many faeries didn’t bother to conform to a gender at all.

The crowd as a whole seemed utterly free of societal constraints, comfortable expressing themselves however they wished.