Page 49

Little Star.

A wave of comfort washes over me, even as my nerves overwhelm me.

Before long, we’re stepping up to the two hulking creatures.

Laisren tells them our names, and the ogres check the scrolls before waving a hand for us to pass on through.

As we enter the garden, I’m immediately drawn into its extravagance.

Thousands of small twinkling candles are strewn between bushes and trees, offering subtle light through the dark gray mist. A small orchestra of cellos, flutes, lyres, and violins play haunting melodies, to which creatures and people of various sizes and shapes waltz along the open grassy area that I assume is to be the dance floor.

Along the furthest recesses of the garden are tables lined with rows and rows of food.

Cakes, scones, muffins, meats, cheeses, and even fruits that I’ve never seen before are available for all to feast upon.

This one spread could have fed all of Aurelius .

And then some, Saoirse growls.

As I take in my surroundings, I feel the gazes of the Galrosan attendees as their eyes glow faintly, but not in the way in which their abilities are being wielded.

They stare at us with such a curious intensity.

Though their scrutiny makes me shrink back, I find I’m overwhelmed by their haunting beauty.

“Name?” a voice asks, steering my gaze away from all the guests. A tall Galrosan with spectacles looks at me expectantly. “Do you have a name, child?”

“Lords Laisren III, Riordan, and Virgil of Zulgalros, and this is Miss Maeva Cale of Malvoria,” Laisren says stoically, stepping to my side.

“Lords?” I whisper.

“Merely a formality,” he replies.

“SIR LAISREN, SIR RIORDAN, AND SIR VIRGIL, LORDS OF ZULGALROS,” the announcer yells, making me jump. “ACCOMPANIED BY MISS MAEVA CALE OF MALVORIA.”

The crowd bows as we pass by the revelers. We make our way to a wooden platform where King Tiernan and Domhnall sit, watching our approach. Queen Orla is nowhere in sight, which is probably for the best. I curtsy low as the Cadre bows deeply at the waist.

“Your Highness,” Laisren says.

“Rise,” the king commands.

We stand immediately. My heart is thrumming wildly, and I feel as though I’ll be sick.

I feel hundreds of eyes on the back of my head, but none compares to the king’s unrelenting gaze.

He flashes me a wide smile, nodding his head as if he approves.

I want to squirm, but I fear that would only fuel his dark ego further.

“A splendid night to honor such a dazzling guest. Don’t you agree, Domhnall?” he asks, his sight never straying from my face.

“Indeed, ssssssirreee,” Domhnall hisses.

“And you’re a marvelous host, my king,” Laisren coos. “We’re delighted to join in the revelry this evening.”

“It’s well-deserved, Second Commander,” the king replies.

“All of you go, eat and drink. Enjoy the festivities.” He motions for me to come closer, and reluctantly I obey.

“All eyes will be on you this evening, my darling,” he whispers.

“Be kind and show what a treasure you are to this kingdom.” Though his tone is sugary like syrup, there’s a hint of a threat underneath his words.

I curtsy once more, smiling sweetly. “Of course, my king,” I reply.

Quickly, the Cadre whisks me away from the king.

“Do you need a drink?” Virgil asks once we’re no longer near him.

I nod as we make our way over to where a variety of wines and ales sit along a narrow table.

Virgil hands a glass of red wine to me first and then takes one for himself.

The attendees dance, carrying on with their conversations, as we stand on the side of the dance floor.

I look for the familiar, tall armored body of Emyr, but he isn’t here.

My stomach drops.

He promised to be here.

Have a little faith in him, my dear, Saoirse replies.

I sigh, watching the hypnotic dance before me, hoping it will take my mind off the brute.

After a few minutes, two beautiful Galrosan women come up to Laisren and Riordan, speaking softly.

They laugh at whatever is amusing them, and the women signal for them to dance.

Laisren and Riordan shake their heads, ready to deny the requests, but I cut into their conversation.

“Please, go and enjoy yourselves,” I say.

“I’ll make Virgil stay with me. If I need you, I will call out. ”

They’re hesitant until Virgil nods his approval.

Soon, they’re on the dance floor with the beautiful women, twirling them to the rhythm of the music.

Their eyes shine brightly as they converse with their dance partners.

I smile at the sight because it’s wonderful to see them relaxed.

They might need this evening even more than I do, if I’m being honest. Their roles for the king are demanding, which I’m sure allows very little time for merriment.

I, on the other hand, would rather be curled up in my room with a book .

A crowd of people glance at me, making me squirm. They point, laughing at me… That is until they notice Virgil’s grimace. Then, they promptly look elsewhere.

I shuffle my feet. I’m out of place here, yet somehow, I feel as if I should belong. Perhaps it’s the wine or the music, but this feels reminiscent.

Could I have visited this garden before I lost my memories?

Did my parents serve the former king and queen? If so, where are they now?

I can almost place it when Virgil pulls me from my thoughts.

“I would rather sit out with you than dance, you know?” he whispers.

“I’m sorry?” I say, startled.

Virgil’s mouth pulls into a soft smirk. “You told Laisren and Riordan that you were forcing me to stay with you, but that’s the furthest thing from the truth,” he clarifies. “I prefer to sit here with you than dance with a vapid woman.”

“I see,” I reply.

Virgil sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “My little sister always loved to dance,” he continues. “She forced me to practice with her weekly.”

A forlorn expression stretches across his face.

“She sounds lovely,” I say.

His throat bobs slightly. “She was… light itself. Everyone that met her adored her. She was unbelievably kind and charming, yet brave and daring.”

“What happened to her, Virgil?” I ask.

The Galrosan shuffles his feet. “She’s been gone for a long time,” he murmurs. “I don’t like to speak of it because that day was the hardest day of my life.” He pauses, collecting himself. “Everything that’s been wronged will be righted one day, and I’ll be with her again.”

I grab his hand and squeeze lightly. “I’m sure that she’s proud of the man that her brother became,” I say .

He looks at me then, squeezing my hand as a sheen covers his eyes. “Everything I do is for her, Little Star,” he replies.

My heart aches for his losses and my own.

There’s such a raw, unfiltered anger beneath the calm facade he wears.

I see it in the way he holds his body, as if refraining from acting on his impulses.

Perhaps we’re more alike than I realized.

We’re two casualties in the schemes of evil, greedy people.

I hope that when the Na Fìrèin rises, they’ll heal all that has been broken and overpower the evils that plague this realm.

Abruptly, the orchestra stops playing, and all falls silent.

Under the archway, a tall, handsome man in a black tailcoat with silver trimming along the vest and lapels stands by the announcer.

His short sandy-blonde hair accents his sharp jawline and glistening amber eyes.

His mouth is drawn tight, making him look both breathtaking and intimidating.

Next to the king, he might be the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.

He’s also tall like the Cadre, perhaps even slightly taller.

What did Siorai put in the Galrosans’ water supply, because they’re all so beautiful?!

The mysterious Galrosan’s eyes scan across the crowd he towers over, stopping when they land on me. There’s something about him I’m drawn to. Perhaps it’s his eyes that seem to hold so many secrets, or maybe it’s the way he’s looking at me as if I’m the only one in this entire garden.

“Who is that?” I whisper to Virgil.

Before he can answer, the announcer startles me again by screaming, “INTRODUCING HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, EMERYUS ALISTAIR II. CROWNED PRINCE AND HIGH GENERAL OF ZULGALROS.”

My jaw hits the floor.