Page 26 of Unseen Eye (Aetherian Chronicles #1)

But he’s not alone. A woman is on his arm, her long, flowing hair cascading down her back and her red beautiful gown.

They’re close, their heads bent together as they talk.

Callon’s smile is warm, and the way his eyes crinkle when he laughs sends a pang of something painfully unfamiliar through me.

Jealousy? I barely know him, yet here I am, feeling a sense of loss over someone who, by all accounts, isn’t mine to lose.

I take a small step back, steadying myself. The sight of his hand resting on her arm, the gentle way she looks at him—it feels like I’m intruding on something that was never meant for me.

Leigh’s voice breaks my trance. “There you are!” she says, a bit too loud, her voice carrying through the quiet of the gardens. “It’s time for dinner and the king’s speech.”

I tear my gaze away, cheeks burning as Callon and his companion look over, meeting my eyes. Callon’s expression is unreadable, though something glimmers in his eyes. Swallowing the embarrassment, I force a smile. “Right. Let’s go.”

As I turn to follow Leigh, I can’t help but glance back one last time. The woman beside Callon leans in, her voice just loud enough to reach my ears. “You knew she was there the entire time, didn’t you?”

His quiet response doesn’t carry, but the faintest curve of a smirk plays at the edge of his mouth as he glances my way one last time. My heart skips, and I quickly face forward, willing myself to focus on anything but the way my pulse races with every step.

We arrive at the grand dining hall, packed with nobles and dignitaries.

The scent of rich foods fills the air with the murmur of polite conversation.

Leigh and I near our seats, and I scan the room, looking for familiar faces.

Baron and Isolda are seated with Drystan, and what I’m assuming are the high-ranking officials, including a gnome, who nods in my direction.

She’s small in stature, with a round, cheerful face framed by curly auburn hair that cascades down her back.

Her eyes are a sparkling blue, full of mischief and warmth.

As we reach our table, which of course Garet is already seated at, I silently pray to any god that might be listening that the two empty seats across from me don’t end up occupied by who I suspect.

But, of course, to my utter dismay, Callon and his guest claim those seats moments later. The gods are truly gone…

“My esteemed guests,” Baron begins. His voice is strong and commanding, laden with authority and a dash of theatrical flair.

“Tonight, we gather not only to celebrate the Lunar Eclipse, but to mark the dawn of a new era for our kingdom. The eclipse is a sacred event, observed for centuries in our land of Aetheria, and especially here in Astermiri. It symbolizes the unity of light and darkness, hope and fear, creation and destruction.”

He pauses, sweeping his gaze over the crowd, his expression as grave as a tombstone.

“Historically, the eclipse has been seen as a powerful omen, a sign from the gods that significant change is upon us. It was during an eclipse that our ancestors first united the warring tribes of Aetheria, forging the kingdoms we know today. It’s a time of renewal and reflection, when we look to the heavens for guidance and prepare for the challenges ahead.

A few days ago, we received a sign—a remarkable one—when Evangeline appeared here in Astermiri.

Her arrival at this crucial time is no mere coincidence, but a harbinger of the great things to come. ”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. If I had a coin for every time someone tried to link my arrival with a grand prophecy, I’d be richer than Baron.

Murmurs ripple through the crowd, and I feel the weight of their collective attention.

Baron continues, his tone filled with righteous conviction.

“Evangeline’s presence among us is significant, a reminder of our destiny and the challenges we must overcome together.

The eclipse tonight is more than a celestial event; it is a symbol of renewal and the triumph of light over darkness. ”

The room falls into a deeper silence, each word dripping with gravity and expectation.

“After tonight’s entertainment, we will make a special announcement,” Baron adds, his eyes locking with mine for a brief moment.

“It is an announcement that will shape the future of our kingdom, reflecting our unwavering faith in the signs and our commitment to a prosperous and peaceful Astermiri.”

This time, I actually roll my eyes as I hear Callon snicker beside me.

As the applause dies down, servants emerge carrying trays of food, and conversations around the table resume.

My mind, however, remains fixated on Baron’s speech and the weight of his words.

I can’t shake the feeling that something bad is about to happen.

Maybe it’s the ominous tone, or maybe it’s just my paranoia. Either way, I’m bracing for impact.

The first course is served, and the table is covered with an array of delicacies: roasted meats, vibrant salads, and an assortment of cheeses and breads. However, the tension at this table could be sliced with a knife.

“I can’t believe my father had us all sit together,” Garet mutters between bites, his voice laced with annoyance.

Leigh smacks his arm playfully, but not before Callon chimes in, “What was that, Garet? I couldn’t hear you over the amazing time I’m having right now.”

Garet’s eyes darken, the playfulness evaporating from his face. “Don’t test me, Callon. I’m not in the mood for your shit tonight.”

Leigh shifts uncomfortably, her eyes darting between the two of them. The female, cool as ever, tries to defuse the situation. “Please, boys, can we at least attempt to get along tonight? Tomorrow, we can go back to hating each other and comparing sizes.”

I nearly choke on my drink, earning a curious look from Callon and a helpful pat on the back from Leigh.

Callon, without missing a beat, responds, “Yes, Mother.”

Garet’s glare intensifies. “You always were a spineless bastard, Callon. Hiding behind sarcasm because you’ve got nothing else.”

Callon’s smirk drops instantly, his eyes narrowing as his voice drops dangerously low. “At least I don’t have to force my loyalty.”

Garet shoots up from his seat, fists clenched, but Leigh grabs his arm, hissing, “That’s enough.”

The woman with Callon leans in close, murmuring something under her breath that only he can hear.

Curiosity gets the best of me, and I turn to Leigh, lowering my voice. “Who’s she? The woman with Callon?”

Leigh shifts slightly, her expression unreadable as she answers in a hushed tone.

“That’s Izzy, one of Drystan’s ambassadors from Coire. She’s a deadly air bender. You should be careful around her. She’s not someone to underestimate.”

Suddenly, Garet mutters under his breath, “Just watch yourself around both of them, especially Callon.”

Callon turns to Garet, his voice filled with venom. “Keep her out of this, Garet. You’ve done enough.”

Garet’s lip curls. “Funny, coming from you. Always pretending like you’re a god while you stab everyone in the back.”

Callon’s eyes flare with rage, and for a second, it looks like he might leap across the table. Izzy’s hand shoots out, grabbing Callon’s arm tightly. “Not here,” she whispers fiercely.

Callon jerks his arm away, but he doesn’t escalate further. Instead, he leans back again, his voice dripping with disdain. “It’s always the cowards who bark the loudest.”

I take a sip of wine. A very big sip.

Trying to steer the conversation to safer waters, I point to the short female figure sitting with Drystan and Baron, her eyes fixed on me. “Is she really a gnome?” I whisper to Leigh, still a little stunned by the discovery.

Izzy overhears and gives me a look, one part disbelief, one part amusement. “Of course she’s a gnome,” she says with a roll of her eyes, as if it should be the most obvious thing in the world.

I shift in my seat, feeling the need to clarify. “I mean, I know gnomes are real, but I guess I was expecting something different. Where’s her—” I stop myself before I can finish the thought, realizing how ridiculous it might sound.

Leigh laughs, a warm sound that cuts through the awkwardness. Izzy nearly spits out her drink. Garet, his posture less tense now, cracks a smile. “Pointy hats, right? The classic human misconception.”

Izzy, wiping her mouth, grins. “They might like hats, but no, not the pointy ones. That’s just what humans think they should wear.”

I feel the blush creeping up my neck, embarrassed by the fact I’m still caught up in the old fairy tales. “Sorry,” I mutter, half laughing at myself.

The conversation shifts, but my curiosity isn’t done. “So… are leprechauns real, too?” I ask before I can stop myself.

Izzy’s eyes widen in surprise before she bursts into laughter. “Leprechauns? Really? What are they teaching you over here?”

Callon, once again wearing that mask of indifference, chuckles softly as he sips his drink. “Leprechauns, charming as they might be, are pure myth. But in this fucked-up world, who knows? Anything is possible.”

His eyes twinkle with amusement as he adds, “You’ll find that reality is often stranger than fiction here.”

Besides making me look like an idiot, my outburst helps to ease the tension, at least for the moment.

Izzy, sensing the opportunity to pry, turns her attention back to me. “So, Eva, how did you meet Garet? I’m dying to know.”

Feeling the buzz from the alcohol I’ve downed to cope with the evening, I answer honestly. “We met several years ago at the market in Pinebrook. I literally ran into him, and it turned out he had read the stories I wrote. We’ve been friends since.”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I realize I’ve made a catastrophic mistake. The temperature at the table plummets, the air thickening with tension. Callon’s gaze snaps to me, his face darkening, his eyes flaring with a barely restrained fire.

“Friends?” His voice comes out dangerously low, each word clipped like the bite of a blade. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

The table goes deathly quiet. Garet’s expression hardens, his eyes narrowing as his jaw tightens. “Yes, Callon. Friends. That’s all it was.” His tone is steady, but beneath it simmers an anger like lightning waiting to strike.

Izzy, sensing the storm, tries to cut in with a forced smile. “It’s nice to know you two have a history,” she says, her voice a bit too bright. “Must be comforting for Eva to have someone familiar here, right?” She glances at me, eyes practically pleading for me to play along.

I nod awkwardly. “When they aren’t lying to you or locking you in rooms.” I mutter, trying to lighten the mood.

Ah shit, I did it again.

Callon’s eyes flare with rage, his body tensing like a coiled spring. Without warning, he lunges, slamming his fist into Garet’s chest and sending him stumbling backward. Chairs screech against the floor, and in an instant, the table is abandoned as the two men collide.

Garet retaliates with a swing, but Callon blocks it effortlessly, grabbing him by the collar and shoving him against the wall. “So pathetic” Callon growls.

The room erupts into chaos, with guests scrambling to get out of the way. Izzy rushes forward, grabbing Callon’s arm. “Stop!” she commands, but Callon shrugs her off, his attention fully locked on Garet.

“Tell me,” Callon spits through clenched teeth. “How long have you been lying to her?”

Garet’s face twists with fury. “I’m not playing any games, Callon!”

The air between them crackles with animosity, both men breathing heavily as they stare each other down. Just as it seems like Callon might throw another punch, Baron’s voice booms from across the room, commanding everyone’s attention. “Enough!”

The crowd parts as Baron steps forward, his voice sharp. “Enough. Everyone—outside for the presentation.”

The main event. Me.