Page 23 of Of Stars and Lightning (Sun and Shadows #1)

Seventeen

THE SOUTHERNERS

THE SOUTHERN NOBLES slowly arrived through the days but remained hidden in the guest quarters and other landmarks within Rimemere. The Polimende nobles spent their stay by the Winderlyn temple, honoring their god in his original grounds while they could. Romalia did the same, lodging near Flora’s.

Melisandre, Sawyer’s home territory, mostly remained around her, choosing the quarters directly beside her. They—and Eswin—were the only two territories that didn’t send anyone of noble status, sending instead higher-level generals.

This delighted her cousin, as Melisandre soldiers were apparently the most visually appealing. She pointed them out with a shameless smirk as they neared the staircase that would lead them into the castle foyer where they were to gather before the dinner.

The whole thing felt like a death march.

Alix informed Sol through subtle whispers that it was customary for everyone to gather together, then filter into the assigned room where they were to host the gathering by rank.

Beside her, Nina squeezed her hand. “It’ll be over quickly.”

“I have a weird feeling.” On Sol’s other side, Sawyer looked around. “Something is off.”

“Let’s not speak that into existence,” Alix pleaded, peering over his shoulder at them.

Sawyer shrugged. “I’m only saying.”

Sol sighed as anxiety gripped her chest. She wouldn’t admit it, but she felt it too. The scar on her hand thrummed with caution.

“I don’t like how we don’t know where Cas is,” Sawyer continued. “This isn’t like him.”

“Well,” Nina said quietly. “He sometimes goes to visit Eswin without telling us, though. Maybe—”

“No.” Sawyer’s tone was firm, and Sol swore the space around them heated. “My father did something.”

Nina remained silent, as if afraid to agree.

Sol said, “Would he be punished for killing that kingsman?”

“More than likely,” Alix called back. “But I also searched the dungeons. He isn’t in the castle.”

They reached the staircase. “After this dinner, we split up. I’m not ok with one of our own being gone for so long.” Sawyer looked at Sol. “It’s not like him.”

Sol held her gaze, not failing to notice the panic. It made her wonder about the dynamic between them, between them all. To have a group so interwoven together… would she ever fit in with them?

She nodded, deciding it was a thought for another time.

Sol’s blood raced as she peered over the railing to the floor below.

A sea of people, all dressed in different fashion and luxuries, awaited at the foot of the stairs, their conversations halting as they spotted her.

She recognized the Dianese staple attire, skin-tight dresses and outfits made from iridescent fish scales.

And the Romalia furs wrapping around a plump woman with purple lips and amber hair.

Sol didn’t know who to focus on, if she should smile or frown, or just jump off the balcony and end her misery.

Beside her, Nina looped an arm through hers, beginning the gentle descent.

“You look like you’ve seen a Jinn.”

Sol’s stomach twisted. “I’m going to throw up.”

“I told you not to eat,” Sawyer remarked, her shoes clicking against the stairs. “But no one listens to Sawyer.”

“They are just people, Princess,” Alix said as he shifted to the spot behind her, letting her lead the way instead. “They are merely curious about you.”

Sol wondered if telling the nobles she didn’t have any of the answers they sought would make them leave her alone. Surely, they wanted to know about her mother—or compare them. Inquire about Sol’s magic or lack thereof.

Again, Sol knew none of that, so they would be just as disappointed as she was.

They made it to the bottom of the steps. The entire castle seemed mute. Not a single sound resonated, nobody moved as Sol stepped into the foyer. Crowds parted for her and her court, leaving them in a semicircle of glares.

Sol inhaled and focused on the outside, beyond the open doors behind the guests, pretending like the evergreen trees were birches and the stone was the sand of home.

When she finally felt like she wouldn’t faint, she met some gazes. Faces from all edges of Erriadin glanced back at her, some with curiosity, others with disinterest. Just as Sol was about to speak, to say anything to break the palpable tension, the room warmed.

“Welcome to Rimemere, my dear Wielders,” Arnold Semmena’s voice boomed from the floors above as he and his own court began their descent to meet them.

He wore a deep navy-blue attire, his golden crown resplendent against the silver décor. Samara and Gina wore similar gowns, gray and simple, though Sol had to admit the dress was stunning against Samara’s darker features.

“We appreciate your company on such short notice,” the King continued, reaching the final block of stairs, smoke trailing in his wake.

Sol turned to face him as her court took spots beside her.

“We will be having a small dinner in the ballroom,” Gina continued as they stepped onto the foyer, directly in front of Sol. She didn’t have to look around to know everyone watched their interaction—the Crown Princess and the man she had to dethrone.

With a flick of her wrist, Samara’s Shadows led the way to the ballroom at the end of the right hallway, snaking between the guests to carve a path. “After that, we shall dance.”

Nina pulled her closer by her skirt, easing her out of the way from Semmena’s walk behind the Shadows.

But Sawyer stopped him.

Her cousin’s eyes simmered like embers as she crossed her arms over her chest, blocking the open path to the ballroom. Whispers erupted through the spectators like an uncontrolled fire, forcing Sol to clench her fists to keep from intervening.

Sawyer gave him a small smile, one full of challenge and defiance. “It is customary to enter Royal dinners by rank,” she said. “Which means Sol goes first.”

Sol felt the blood leave her face as all eyes cut to her. “Sawyer—”

“Very glad to see you remember your traditions, daughter.” Semmena eased her aside. “So, you should also remember that the King surpasses a Crown Princess.”

“For now,” someone in the crowd added.

Semmena stopped.

Beside her, Nina tensed as she scanned the people to see who dared the outburst, but everyone remained neutral. Sol couldn’t decipher who it was either, as if the wind itself had uttered the warning.

“Of course.” Semmena regained his composure, resuming his casual stride forward. “For now.”

Sol exhaled a shaky sigh of relief when the Semmena Court disappeared around the corner and down the ballroom hall.

In front of her, Sawyer shook her head. “It should have still been you.”

Nina motioned her forward, but the commotion behind them made the Earth Caller halt, her magic flaring green. But as she looked over Sol’s shoulder, Nina relaxed, and melted into a radiant smile.

As the two women walked through the crowd, the noblemen and women parted. Time seemed to slow until the couple finally stood before Sol.

For some moments, they just watched her.

The first thing that came to mind when Sol studied the woman on the right was winter’s first snow fall.

The woman wore her short, silver hair cropped to her chin, with eyes so pale blue they seemed to glow.

Her skin was the softest brown, a mirror to her companion’s own.

The duo seemed opposite each other in every way physically, but the one thing appearing eerily similar was their demeanor.

Simultaneously, they curtseyed. “Princess Yarrow,” said the silver-haired woman. “What an incredible pleasure.”

Sol nearly screamed when Nina yelped beside her. “I never thought I’d see the day the Ladies of Niome graced a dinner with their presence.”

The women laughed as Nina pulled them into a hug. Such a casual interaction seemed to do the trick, the tension fading as the others dispersed around them, some waiting for Sol to lead the way into the ballroom, while others returned outside.

“We could never miss the return of the Yarrow court,” said the woman with darker hair. She frowned as she studied them. “You do seem to be missing a member.”

“Casimir is currently out of the castle,” Alix shared, taking the women’s hands into a bow. “Though I am sure he will join us at some point.”

Sol tensed, knowing Alix was trying to avoid rumors or panic, but the latter snaked through her anyway.

“Great Irene Yarrow’s daughter,” the silver-haired woman crooned. “Do grace us with your common name.”

Sol looked from Nina to Sawyer, who merely tapped her fingers against her side with impatience.

“My name is Sol,” she said finally.

“Poppy.” The silver-haired woman bowed. “My wife here goes by Sonia.”

Sol smiled at them both, an easy, genuine smile at perhaps the first Wielders beside her court that seemed kind. Odd, but kind.

“Well…” Sawyer swirled on her foot and started toward the dreaded ballroom. “Let’s get this over with, shall we?”

The room was washed with blues and silvers, reminding Sol of a winter dream.

It was reminiscent of the rest of the castle décor, though this room held more artwork and Wielder memorabilia, some captivating enough that Sol yearned to stop and admire them.

There was a single, long rectangular table, perfectly set and ready in the center of the room.

She had never seen so much food at once. Rows of vegetables and exquisite greens spread over it, surrounding platters of meats and dishes she had never seen before. Despite the desire to not be there at all, her mouth watered.

Semmena, Gina, and Samara stood at one of the ends with the King at the head of the table and the women flanking him. It struck Sol then that Jeriyah was absent.

She made a note to ask Alix—another unexplained absence did not sit well with her at all, even if she didn't know the old man too well.

The Southern nobles who remained gathered behind Sol, waiting. Assessing.

“Let us enjoy this feast, to welcome the great Yarrow heir home.” Semmena grabbed a chalice of what looked like wine and raised it. “Please, all. Sit.”

Slowly, the guests strode to the seats. If there was any confusion over who went where, no one showed it.

“You are to sit directly across from him,” Nina whispered. “We will sit beside you.”

Sol felt like a pawn. Like a measly pawn on a chessboard, the kind she and Lora would play with when she was a child. Cheap and always missing pieces, like she lacked everything to make this meeting worth it.

What did she have to offer these people? Was she truly to sit and stuff her face with roasted duck, laugh, and chat about… politics?

Politics she knew nothing about.

It has always been a burden we carry—our bloodline is cursed.

She thought back to the note, folded and worn in her satchel.

Right.

Right.

Sol stepped forward, not breaking Semmena’s stare as she placed her hand on the back of the mahogany chair.

“What an honor to share a meal with a Yarrow,” Semmena said, tapping his chalice. His eyes shone. “I can already feel Rimemere humming with happiness at the matron bloodline being here once again.”

Nervous laughs fluttered through the room as people sat.

Sol glanced to her right, where Nina bowed her head slightly in encouragement, Poppy and Sonia settling into the chairs beside her.

She glanced left, to Sawyer and Alix. Then back at Semmena. Who amongst these people were her allies?

Sol might not know much about royal politics, but she knew people.

So, she pulled out her chair and sat.

Immediately, her Court did as well, followed by the Ladies of Niome and the fur-clad Romalia couple. At Alix’s other side, two men gave her courteous nods as they sat, both dressed in extravagant beige tunics.

Nine guests remained standing. Six sat with her.

She supposed it could have been worse.

Semmena gave her a slow, knowing smile as he slid into his own seat, everyone else following suit. “A toast. To the Yarrow reign.” His Court and his people grabbed their chalices. Slowly, she met the gaze of each of her own people around her table. Her mother’s people.

Her bloodline’s people.

She didn't know how to convey what she felt, not with her gaze alone. But she tried. She met Poppy’s and Sonia’s curious eyes, the couple beside them, and the men next to Alix. She tried saying she was sorry this was what they had—but was going to fight for them.

Sol raised her chalice.

And so did they.