Page 9

Chapter

Eight

The hours after our dismissal flew by as I unpacked, marveling at the opulence of my new room.

Every detail, from the crack-free walls and elegant carvings on the furniture to the luxurious bath with its endlessly warm water—something that was scarce at home—felt like a dream.

I savored each moment, knowing how far I was from the world I knew.

There was a knock at the door.

“One second,” I called, grabbing the first thing I saw on the bed.

I selected, without realizing it, a long-sleeved black dress.

Made of a light material, it was more form-fitting than anything I was accustomed to wearing.

A slit on the left side ran from the ankle up past the knee.

I would have to change again before leaving; there was no way I could go out in this.

“Come in.” I tucked my bags away in the closet, taking note of the abundance of clothes waiting to be worn.

I’d never had so many options.

A familiar face poked around the door before entering the room.

“All settled in?” Lil asked.

I nodded.

She had managed to grab the room next door after threatening someone who tried to claim it.

“Somebody changed.” A small chuckle left her.

Looking down at the slit, I felt my cheeks begin to warm.

“You look great. Don’t change a thing.” She said as I settled into a seat at the desk while she wandered around.

“What a view, right? I thought we’d be in some shit rooms. I’ve never been happier to be wrong in my life!” She made her way towards the desk.

“Wow. Is that your mother?” She picked up the miniature I’d brought with me placed next to my favorite books, The Trials of Thale and Vietta .

“She was beautiful.” Lil set the frame back on the desk.

“You look just like her.”

The words hit me with a quiet ache, a pang that was somehow both sweet and raw.

You look just like her.

I didn’t know whether to feel comforted or exposed, as if Lil could see right into the softest parts of me I kept hidden.

It was odd hearing it from a stranger’s lips, someone who never knew her yet could see her in me.

I tried to swallow the feeling down, but it lingered, pressing against my heart—heavy, proud, and aching all at once.

Lil cleared her throat, moving to sit on the bed.

Sunlight poured through the window, catching in her hair and turning it to spun gold.

“So,” she said.

“So,” I replied.

She sat in silence a moment longer.

“What’s the deal with you and Kadian?” She asked.

I laughed. It seemed Kadian's antics from earlier had done the trick.

“What’s so funny?”

I rubbed my temples as I chuckled.

“I’m not trying to pry,” she said as she fiddled with my bedspread.

“No, no.” I stood and walked over to her, my hands fidgeting as I tried to shake off the awkwardness. “I don’t mind you asking. There’s nothing going on between Kad and me—not like you think.”

She raised an eyebrow, a teasing grin tugging at her lips. "I like to know what kind of situation I’m walking into... or avoiding."

I shifted on my feet, unsure of myself. How do I explain that Kadian’s the only real friend I’ve ever had? That’s not something you just throw out there, not when you’re trying to start fresh. But this was new. I had to embrace it, even if it felt awkward. I smiled, trying to sound more confident. “We’re just friends. He’s a brother to me. Nothing more.”

Lil raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.

I exhaled, the words a little clumsy as I pushed forward. “We know each other too well for it to be anything else. It’s all emotional, not physical. Trust me, the thought of anything more... we’d both be repulsed.”

Lil’s expression softened. “Uh huh,” she said. “He seems great from what I’ve seen. He’s just two doors down from me, so I guess we got lucky.”

I smiled, opening my mouth to reply when my stomach growled. I looked down at my midsection and laughed. “Well, looks like even though I’m not prepared for dinner, my stomach is.” I stood and smoothed out my dress.

“I’m so sorry,” Lil said. “I interrupted you while you were getting ready. I’ll go. Take your time, and I’ll meet you outside.” She paused. “I’m glad I decided to speak to you today, Brida. Oh, and one other thing,” she said. “Don’t you dare change out of that dress.” With that, she opened the door and was gone.

Today was the first time I’d spoken to someone in line and made a friend. The feeling was strange, but in a way, I appreciated it more than I expected. For a moment, I almost felt like I belonged—like I wasn’t just an outsider watching everyone else. The thought lingered as I moved through the motions of getting ready.

I chose to put more effort into my appearance than was typical. Following Lil’s lead, I wore my hair down. Gods, it’s getting long. It was nearing the middle of my back, even with a wave to it. I washed my face and darkened my eyes. Here we go.

Stepping into the hall, I found Lil waiting for me. “Have you been to this part of the palace before?” I asked, closing my door behind me.

“No, we used to stay in the guest quarters, which are the royal quarters. It’s a bit tighter than one might expect, especially based on the size of these rooms.” Turning to Lil, I found her staring at three men who walked by us, each looking at her as they made their way toward the exit. “We could always find someone to show us around,” a massive grin emerged on her face.

“You’re incorrigible,” I laughed as I referenced the map that had been left on the desk in my room. This place is huge. I stared at the map. There were wings in addition to the houses, Center Court, refectory, gym, and countless other locations. Dinner is in thirty minutes, and I have no idea where I’m going.

A frenetic energy filled the corridor. Groups of people went in and out of their rooms, some forgetting their maps, others looking for people they knew from home or searching for those they’d just met. I was lost in possibilities when I heard a voice behind me.

“Thank the Gods,” Kadian said, “I’m starving. Let’s go.” He put his arm around my shoulder, gesturing toward the exit.

“Brida has a map,” Lil pointed to the one in my hands.

We’re North…

“The day I start trusting Brida with directions, even when she has a map, is the day I’ve lost my mind.”

“We can’t all be navigators, Kad,” I said with a slight irritation in my voice.

“No, but don’t worry, I’m happy to lead.” He winked.

I rolled my eyes, but he was a natural compass. He always knew where to go and how to get us there. I would come up with the idea, and Kad put its execution into place.

“It’s this way,” he laughed, “I mapped it out earlier.”

Saves me from doing it and getting us lost .

His eyes found Lil. “You look nice,” he said as he eyed her up and down in slow motion.

“I always like to make the best impression.” She let out a playful laugh, blush rising to her cheeks.

???

The grandeur of the room itself was breathtaking—one of the largest I’d ever seen. Endless champagne flutes circulated by waitstaff, complementing tables piled high with salads, sandwiches, meats, cheeses, and fruits. A vaulted ceiling soared above, supported by imposing stone columns that lined the dining hall like silent sentinels. Despite their weathered appearance, as though they'd endured millennia, the columns stood strong, giving the impression they'd remain standing through the end of time. The last sunlight of the day filtered through the large windows, casting a warm glow on the polished floors beneath us, where our reflections shimmered.

The air buzzed with flurries of conversation and the clinking of glasses. My constant gazing around the glimmering room was interrupted when I heard Lil say, “I plan to try one of everything.”

“Already on it.” Kadian leaned toward a server and grabbed three champagne flutes. “Before we begin,” he said, handing the glasses to Lil and me, “a toast to new friendships.”

“A toast to new friends,” Lil echoed, her smile contagious.

Kadian made friends wherever we went—a talent I’d long envied. He slipped effortlessly into conversations, while I’d always struggled to connect. But here, in Azmeer, I resolved to do my best to emulate him, to make it look like I belonged, like I deserved to be here. When I raised my glass and clinked it with Lil’s, I felt a spark of happiness—an evanescent sense that, maybe, I could fit into this new life. I took a small sip, savoring the taste, though I was never much of a drinker.

As I scanned the room, the Walker’s pale hair caught my eye from across the crowd. He lifted his champagne glass and smiled at me, a subtle but clear acknowledgment. A blush crept up my cheeks, and I looked away, feeling the heat rise.

Lil and Kadian were off to the food table, chatting and stacking their plates high. I glanced around, trying to memorize faces. Almost everyone had freshened up for the evening, and I felt relieved that I had, too. My eyes darted across the room, noticing the unspoken language of discomfort—groups clustered on the fringes, arms crossed, fingers twisting, all masking their nerves.

Act as if you belong here. Be brave.

Despite the breeze wafting in through the windows offering a reprieve from the stifling heat, I found myself succumbing to it. Why is it so hot in here?

Staring around the room, I spotted a table adorned with glasses of water, one of the few scattered throughout the vast hall. As I made my way toward it, I couldn't help but admire those who already appeared at home in Azmeer.

Their laughter echoed like music, and I wondered if their familiarity with this place lent them that ease or if it was a boisterous confidence that came naturally to some.

I felt like an outsider in a realm of glittering connections and easy camaraderie.

The table was lined with a delicate pale tablecloth with small golden flecks that caught the light in mesmerizing waves as I moved my head.

It was unlike anything I had ever seen—soft yet ethereal as if woven from the whispers of stars themselves.

My fingers brushed against its surface, and I felt a fleeting moment of peace, a connection to something beautiful and timeless.

But just as I reached for a glass, I froze, my hand colliding with another.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed, looking up to meet the gaze of Prince Dainan.

His dark eyes locked onto mine, and in that instant, the bustling room fell away, the noise becoming a distant hum.

A spark of amusement danced within those depths, brightening the shadows of the hall.

For a heartbeat, it was just the two of us, the world narrowing to this unexpected connection.

Without uttering a word, Dainan’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile, a gesture that felt charged with unspoken understanding.

I felt my heart race, a confusing mix of emotions swirling inside me.

Was it intrigue? Attraction?

Or something else entirely?

I was acutely aware of the significance of this moment, yet I found myself grappling with the enormity of it.

Why is he alone? My mind raced with questions.

I had little experience with royalty, but I had assumed he would be flanked by guards or courtiers, a sentinel of propriety.

Dainan raised a glass, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that turned the simple gesture into something far more loaded.

It was as if, in that small tilt of his wrist, he was toasting more than just my presence—acknowledging a private understanding that hummed between us.

His lips brushed the rim of his glass, and he held my gaze, unblinking, over the edge.

As he sipped, the flame-like hues in his auburn hair flickered under the low light, giving him an almost ethereal aura, a strange mix of danger and elegance.

For a long beat, his eyes lingered on me, smoldering, as if he were memorizing me in that precise moment.

And then, with a final, unreadable look, he set the glass down, turned, and walked away, leaving a trail of mystery in his wake, like smoke drifting into the night.

The room snapped back into focus, the laughter and chatter flooding my senses once more.

My heart hammered against my ribcage, the brief encounter leaving an indelible mark on my consciousness, a moment etched into my memory that felt both exhilarating and terrifying.

Gods, I hope no one saw that .

I grabbed a glass of water, my hand trembling as I lifted it to my lips, trying to steady the storm brewing inside me.

The coolness of the glass was a stark contrast to the heat of my cheeks, but it did little to quell the confusion swirling in my mind.

I took a sip, hoping to wash away the sensation of his gaze still resting on me, but instead, the taste of the water turned bittersweet as I wrestled with my thoughts, unsure of what this encounter meant for me and my journey in Azmeer.

“It just seems weird,” Kadian said as he and Lil returned, pulling me from my haze.

“Hey, don't knock it until you try it. It goes great with champagne,” Lil said, handing me a plate. “We got there just in time. I snagged the last sandwich for you, and if you don't eat it, I will.” She laughed a deep, sultry laugh. It was a sound that echoed happiness, contentment. What must it be like to feel that comfortable here?

“Thanks,” I smiled, trying to shake off the encounter with Dainan.

“Did you hear,” Kadian asked as a piece of food tumbled from his mouth, “that the Courting isn’t just a political term but a physical thing?”

“What do you mean?” I looked at him as I wiped my mouth with a napkin, trying to send him a hint.

“It seems,” he said while taking another bite, ignoring me, “that when you join a court, your appearance will change to align with that court.”

“Of course,” Lil nodded, taking a sip of champagne. “Each court has its basic descriptors.” She pointed at a girl with bright red hair, stunning in a black sequined gown. “Red hair like that is associated with the Court of Shadows. Fire is essential to their court, after all. If you see the princes up close, you'll notice they all have auburn hues, similar to you.” She smiled at me.

I turned toward the girl Lil had indicated. As she moved, her gaze briefly met mine, and I felt a flicker of recognition. It was the same girl who had glared at me after the first task.

“Bri has no ties to the Court of Shadows,” Kadian cut in, his voice steady. Growing up, he’d spent years making sure everyone knew I had no court connections, despite how I might look. It was ironic. Kadian was the one with Fae heritage, the one who asked the most questions about it. Yet, somehow, he was never the one made to feel like an outsider.

“Oh, I know, but they might find her hair color intriguing. My blonde hair and aquamarine eyes align with the Court of Reflection. Violet eyes are for the Court of Whispers, and green, brown, or amber for the Eternal Court.”

“What about the Court of Shadows?” I asked, intrigued.

“Their eye color changes later, sometimes years after joining, making them hard to identify,” Lil said. “Each court has unique gifts, but the Court of Shadows is particularly secretive. Even their House of Shadows here at the Center Court is shrouded in mystery.”

I glanced back and saw the redhead speaking with Prince Dainan.

“Seems like she’s not wasting any time,” Lil whispered, nodding toward them. “Good, he’ll be distracted.” I glanced at Dainan, trying to decipher his expression, but it remained inscrutable.

“I’m going to get seconds!” Kadian bellowed.

“We can’t let him get them all!” Lil called out, racing after Kadian.

With a sigh and a reluctant smile, I followed.

As we wove through the crowd, I overheard two court officials deep in conversation. “The landscape is shifting,” one said. “Faster than anyone thought.”

“He’s not doing well—far worse than he’s letting on,” the other replied, voice low. “Only a handful know, but the news won’t stay hidden for long.”

The words lingered, intriguing me, but Lil’s voice pulled me back to the present. “Come on, Kadian’s over here,” she said with a grin.

As the night unfolded, laughter and chatter filled the room. Lil and Kadian navigated the crowd like seasoned players, debating over which dishes were best, making friends with everyone they met. I drifted toward a small group of other inductees, a bit hesitant but curious. I found myself next to a quiet girl named Emia, who seemed to listen with intent rather than speak.

I could tell she was observing everything, maybe even feeling a little out of place, like I was. Taking a deep breath, I decided to break the silence. “First night, huh?” I said, offering a smile. She returned one, and nodded. Somehow, the small connection made the crowded room feel a little less daunting.

After dinner, we made our way back to our rooms. “Goodnight,” I said as we parted in the hall, smiling at Lil and Kadian. I was grateful they were here to share this experience with me.

???

“Bri, come on, open the door!” The thunderous crash of Kadian’s fist against my door reverberated through the stillness of my room, jolting me from my thoughts.

After everything we’d been through today, all I had wanted was to sink into a warm bath and then curl up in bed, letting the world fade away for a while. I had already penned a letter to Dad, sharing my first impressions of Azmeer—the towering spires, the vibrant colors, the atmosphere that seemed to hum with energy. I knew he would love it here. He had always dreamed of traveling, of exploring the vast landscapes of Eldara with Mom. They had managed a few trips together, but nothing extensive, always waiting for the right moment, the right time when I would be old enough to join them on grand adventures. But, it never came to pass.

Kadian’s persistent knocking and the urgency in his voice broke the spell of my reverie. “Hold on a second,” I called out, reaching for a cover to pull over my head as if it could shield me from his enthusiasm.

Kadian was leaning casually against the frame as I opened the door, a grin spreading across his face.

“You look pleased,” I remarked, pushing my hair back from my face, trying to shake off the remnants of my daydream.

“Yes! I was getting ready for bed, but Lil decided the night shouldn’t end here. She’s organized a round of cards in her room. Let’s go!” His excitement was palpable, infectious, even.

I rubbed my eyes, fighting the allure of sleep that tugged at my mind, tempting me to melt into the comforting embrace of my mattress. “I was just getting ready for bed, Kad.” I gestured back into my room, emphasizing my bare legs peeking out from under the cover.

“As attractive as this look is for you, it’s time to get redressed and head next door.” He stepped back, his grin widening, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Better yet, come as you are. It’ll make for interesting conversation and might even help you meet someone.”

A low chuckle escaped me, unable to resist the growing smirk on his face. “I’m not here to meet anyone. We’re here for one purpose only. And after everything that happened today, I am desperate for sleep.” I attempted a scolding look, but I had never been able to hold one against Kadian for long.

“Who’s to say we can’t have some fun along the way?” He winked, his eyes dancing with mischief.

I recalled my father’s words, whispered with warmth: Remember, Brida, you’re allowed to have some fun. It felt like a gentle nudge from the past, a reminder I desperately needed.

“Fine,” I muttered, retreating back into the room to grab the closest pair of pants, the soft fabric comforting against my skin.

“You know, it was pretty brazen of you to open the door like that. It could have been anyone on the other side. Maybe Azmeer is already having an effect on you.” Kadian tapped against the limestone, his tone lighter now.

“I knew it was you, Kad. I always know when it’s you,” I replied, the corner of my mouth lifting in a smile. Not only because you have the insistence of an earthquake.

As I turned toward the door, Kadian caught me, his hands firm yet gentle on my shoulders. “If you’d rather, I can close the door, and you can slip off to bed. Or we could sit on the balcony, counting stars until you tire of my company.”

The idea sang to me, the soft pull of night’s embrace, the unspoken stories in the constellations. But the earnest gleam in Kadian’s eyes spoke louder, nudging me beyond the familiar.

“Let’s go next door.” A smile found its way to my lips, and Kadian’s face brightened, a spark catching in his eyes.

“How did I get so lucky to have you in my life, Brida Larrow?” he murmured, the words soft, steeped in sincerity.

I squeezed his hands, feeling warmth blossom in my chest. “It’s just the way the story was written, Kad.” The sentence carried a quiet gravity, a nod to the fate we both shared and defied.

As he draped his arm around me, we stepped out, closing the door behind us. The voices of our new friends, light and full of life, bubbled through the hallway. “You okay?” he asked, stopping in front of Lil’s room as the sounds wove into the silence between us.

I am more than my fear; I am the story I choose to write.

“Bri?” Kadian’s voice broke through, anchoring me to the present. I met his gaze, nodded, and together we stepped inside.