Page 27

FATED PROMISES

M y ballgown swished rhythmically against the floor as I walked to the balcony overlooking the foyer. I rested my hands upon the smooth banister. Its surface—along with the staircases on either side—glittered like the night sky as the obsidian reflected hundreds of lantern orbs floating about. Luminous moonbeams nudged at the quartz ceiling, peeking through the prisms. Bursting with radiance, the star-shaped crystals of the chandelier sprinkled splintered rainbows over every surface.

My lips parted, a sigh slipping past them as haunting, melodic chords drifted over me, flowing out of the Great Hall. Closing my eyes, I swayed with the glowing spheres for a moment, letting the harmonies consume me. When the music paused, my shoulders slumped, and I looked down.

Kaden was waiting for me in the center of the foyer, studying me from below. I grinned, sliding my fingers along the banister as I walked down the stairs to my right. His eyes tracked my unhurried descent, the tip of his tongue sweeping across his bottom lip as a look of admiration settled across his features.

The midnight velvet of my dress matched the stone below my feet, and for a moment, I wondered what it would be like to melt and become one with it. The dress was magnificent, but I wasn’t accustomed to dressing in such finery—and the intensity of my best friend’s attention was overwhelming.

Made of crushed, black velvet, the full A-line skirt swelled from my hips and plunged regally to the ground, a modest train caressing the stairs behind me. From my left hip, the fabric overlapped and parted seductively, a slit running from just below my hip to the floor. With each step of my satin slippers, the air brushed against the front of my entire exposed leg.

Velvet flowed up my waist in a corset, the plush-covered boning creating vertical banding up my middle. The fabric then gathered in a softly pleated line that swept across my chest. Above this ruching, silk, rhombus-shaped appliqués—covered in glittering, black beadwork—cupped my breasts, creating a V-shaped cutout between them. The velvet shirred to the side of my left breast and split into two sections, with one section swooping over my left shoulder and the other draping over my left biceps.

As I met him, my ribcage was full of trapped, fluttering butterflies. I nervously touched the sides of my hair, ensuring it was still secured. Derya had helped me wrangle the fiery tendrils, sweeping the sides back and securing them in place with a pair of dark, bejeweled hairpins. They were the only accessory I wore aside from my embered ring.

Kaden’s penetrating gaze swept over every inch of me and then met mine as we stood under starry luster. “Seryn, you are breathtaking,” he rasped, adjusting the pewter cravat tied neatly around his neck.

“Thank you,” I murmured, dipping my chin as warmth colored my cheeks. “You clean up well yourself.”

He chuckled, wiggling his eyebrows, “Ah, nothing like a steamy bubble bath to set things right.” He held his arm out, the muscles stretching the fabric of his forest-green, double-breasted tailcoat. Silver buttons along its lapels and that of the mossy-hued waistcoat glinted in the chandelier’s light.

A rosy blaze crept down my chest at the memory of our intimacy. I bit my bottom lip and threaded my arm through his.

Jovial, bouncing music spilled through the doorway of the Great Hall, which had morphed into a grand ballroom. People danced and twirled in the center of the room, the colors of their attire streaking in a jumble of vibrant hues across my vision.

Thousands of lantern orbs continued into and around the room, hovering at various levels throughout the space. The vaulted crystal ceiling sparkled, stuck between the flaming globes and the moonlight.

I allowed the reins upon my ember to slip—just a bit—so I could see a multitude of auras flickering and shimmering around the Druiks. I smiled, enjoying the mystical ambiance of it all as I scanned the ballroom.

To the right was a small stage, a quartet of fellow citizens positioned upon it with their various string instruments and pianoforte. My hips gently swung to the carefree tune bouncing through the room.

Kaden smiled at me and stepped forward, leading me into the revelry. We meandered through the crowd, a mixture of polite smiles, head nods, and wary glances meeting us as we made our way to the left, where various refreshments were laid out.

The Elders perched atop the platform, Melina’s tight black sheath dress wrapping around her like thick, silky strips of bandages. Her gaze raked over me as if she wished it were her claws doing so, her full lips twisting snidely.

I averted my eyes, willing myself to ignore her attention. To take no notice of Balor’s slimy gawk as he stood with the other Akridais in front of the stage.

Tonight was for celebrating.

Melina could watch me until her eyeballs fell out of her face.

A slow smile stretched across my mouth at the thought.

“What has you grinning like that? Or who do I need to punch?” Kaden whispered near my cheek, his hand warm as he pushed my loose curls over my shoulder.

A breathy giggle left me. “No one. Just enjoying myself. Dance with me?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” He took my hand and led me onto the dance floor.

He held me, one hand at the small of my back and the other wrapped around mine as we bounced and skipped around the floor to several lively tunes.

Letti and Xeni breezed by us, Letti’s delighted titters streaming in her wake as Xeni held my sister’s hand and twirled her in place. They were a sight to behold, with Letti’s silky snow-colored dress fluttering around her and Xeni’s formal Draumr uniform pressed to perfection.

A flash of ruby caught my eye at the edge of the dance floor. Breena, in her magnificent, mermaid-cut dress, and Rhaegar, also in his dress uniform, were deep in conversation. She winked at me as we waltzed past them.

When the song finished, Kaden and I stepped apart, my hand resting atop my racing heart. “Mind if we take a moment? Unless you want to chop off my feet.”

“Best not. They might be useful later,” Kaden teased, leading me from the dance floor with his palm on the small of my back.

“Bree, like I predicted. Astonishing,” I said, waving my hand from the floor to her bare shoulders.

“You’re bloody right.” She rocked her hips from side to side, her hands propped on her waist. “And you look positively delicious.”

I smiled, grabbing her hand and squeezing it. “Rhaegar, won’t you dance?”

“Two left feet, I’m afraid.”

“More like two massive slabs of meat,” Breena muttered, bending and rubbing the toe of her … boots. I pinched my mouth together to hold in any laughter that was trying to flee.

Kaden patted Rhaegar on the shoulder in solidarity, offering to get some refreshments for us all. “Four honey wines coming right up.”

The first bittersweet chords of the next song echoed through the room. My head tilted to look at the beautifully forlorn notes drawn across the musician’s strings.

I knew this melody.

Where was it from?

Without thought, my feet shuffled toward it. My heart pumped wildly, its pulse drumming under the star on my nape. My ember chafed under my flesh, and I trapped the air within my lungs—not wanting to miss a single note.

My concentration was so fixated that I didn’t realize I stood in the center of the dance floor, my hand covering the spot where my heart should have been. The spot where tiny shards were breaking off with every haunting harmony. Tears gathered as faint words surfaced above the shadows of my recollection—the corpse of a buried memory exhumed. My eyes fluttered closed. The haunting lyrics echoed in my head to the rhythm of the ballad.

There it shall linger,

In the void where shadows creep.

Beyond Nether,

The nightmares decay sleep.

Here you’ll find me,

In the withering mist between trees.

Among shattered

Hopes and phantom breeze.

There, I’ll find you,

In the blooming embers of your dreams.

Fated promises,

Sealed in moonbeams.

“It’s the song you hum when you eat—Maya’s song.” The words whispered across my cheek, bringing me back to the present, my eyes snapping open. I drew in a deep lungful of air, remembering to breathe again as the sound of my mother singing faded into the shadowy corners of my mind.

Gavrel’s warm, solid frame stood close, and he shifted from just behind my right side to face me. His dark, formal uniform rustled against the velvet of my skirt. He looked at me, his brow drawn together.

People danced around us, swaying and swirling as if we weren’t even there. Steel-colored, braided tassels swung from his squared shoulders, the only things moving on his person. The only thing ensuring me we weren’t frozen in time.

He was so tall. So sturdy. My icy blues studied his emerald greens, and he gently cupped one cheek, brushing a calloused thumb under my eyelashes to swipe the lingering tears away.

Warmth swam over me, and I swiped my other cheek clumsily. “You’re right,” I murmured, the words catching in my throat. “I haven’t heard it since I was a child.”

“I’d know it anywhere. I hear it when you’re enjoying a meal,” he smirked.

A smile teased the corners of my lips. “You do not. We barely see each?—”

“It’s a bewitching melody for a bewitching woman. Dance with me, Asteria.”

My breath hitched, catching in my throat. His hand enveloped mine, and I leaned into his warmth. His other hand rose to wrap around my waist.

“Thank you for saving my place, brother,” Kaden snapped, stepping between us, his hands replacing Gavrel’s. My feet stumbled, and Kaden’s grip tightened, keeping me upright.

Gavrel’s lips settled into a thin line, his jaw firm. His shoulders tensed as if he was going to step forward, but before he had the chance, a wispy vapor orbited us to the sound of startled intakes of breath and faltering steps. Melina materialized next to the commander, her claws digging into the biceps of his stiff overcoat.

She glowered down her nose at Kaden and me—but mostly at me—the moonlight flashing across her metal irises.

Kaden’s scowl softened as he studied his brother and the Elder. A look that resembled something close to pity glinted across his features before it settled into one of indifference.

Melina’s voice, so melodious, was jarring, considering its edges were wrapped in barbs. “This song— Fated —always stirs something in me. Reminds me of home. Of course, it’s rare for the mortal realm to yield such a masterpiece, but when it does, you can be certain it’s from the Perilous Bogs. Wouldn’t you agree, Gavie?” She licked her bottom lip, sidling up to him and stroking his arm.

A curling smog of disdain coiled in my belly, the acidic burn rippling over my throat and tongue. Kaden’s fingers pressed into my waist. I hadn’t realized I’d edged forward but was grateful he hindered me.

Melina’s movements were unhurried as her palms inched over Gavrel’s thick muscles. Her lips curled, and her aura smoldered as she noticed my reaction. Deliberately, she scanned those around us, one brow raised. Everyone immediately averted their eyes and began dancing once more.

The skin beside Gavrel’s nose twitched slightly. He pressed the line of his lips together so tightly that they paled. He bowed to us and then left without a word, Melina’s touch extracted. The dancing couples swept him from my view.

A satisfied grin split Elder Harrow’s exquisite face before she sauntered away, following the path the commander had taken. The crowd shifted and split around her like a stone slicing through a current.

I blinked a few times, almost forgetting where I was.

Kaden made a low, resonant sound in his throat, pulling me closer and bringing my attention back to him. He positioned our joined hands next to us and steered us around the floor, his brows furrowed. The silent, circling box steps were making me dizzy as I tried to make sense of what had just happened.

“Kaden.”

He didn’t look at me.

I waited, my hand clinging to his.

He glanced down, his jaw ticking.

“Kaden.”

“What?”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m feeling punchy.”

I choked on a laugh, feeling a bit punchy myself. His response soothed my frayed nerves. My palm slid from his shoulder to the side of his neck, rubbing my thumb in circles. “There’s no need to punch anything. Or anyone.”

“If you say so.” His head tilted, the furrow disappearing under the hair flopping over his forehead. After a moment, he said, “I’ve heard that Bogs song before.”

“It’s the song my mother used to sing.”

“Ah, the song you hum.” He smiled sweetly, his eyes softening. “Want your mead? I left it with Letti. Might be gone. You know how she can be with libations.”

I rolled my eyes, snorting. Letti didn’t drink. “I think you’re confusing my sister with you, you sot.” He gasped, clutching a hand to his chest in mock offense.

“Here’s your drink, Ser. Well, half of it. Kaden practically threw it at me when he went to you,” Letti scolded.

Kaden laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “See, told you she was in her cups.”

I snickered, sipping the rest of my drink. Letti stuck her tongue out at Kaden before she and Xeni went to dance.

“Wasn’t that slow tune just the saddest, most lovely melody you’ve ever heard? I’m gutted,” Breena murmured. She snapped her fingers after a moment. “Your humming song, right? I knew it sounded familiar. Was hard to tell since you’re usually gobbling down your food.”

I cuffed her on the arm without any real heat behind it, and she grinned. My fingers brushed away some errant curls, and I sighed, not wanting to think anymore tonight.

Not of Melina.

Not of the song or its summoned lyrics.

Not of Gavrel or his brother’s reaction to his presence.

So, instead, I drank another goblet of honey wine with Kaden.