* * *
Amber spent the remainder of the day with Rix and was grateful for her company. She was still being steadfastly honest about her past, desperate for more respect and in need of advice for her own heartbreak.
“Revan?” Amber sipped the sundowner later that day as Leyahanna finished the last touches to the full moon dress that she had personally made.
“Yes. Not the infatuation I had for Wrexel or any of the other psychotic Thromians I dated in the past.” Rix’s expression was pained. “I fell in love… real love.”
“And he definitely doesn’t feel the same way?” Amber asked sadly.
“No, I think… I may be wrong but the Earth female whom we were trapped with, thanks to my cousin, must have won his heart. He looked at her the way I see Wrexel look at you.”
“Wrexel doesn’t love me.” Amber still reeled from his admission that he never would.
“Yes, I guess you could say that. I don’t think he knows how. It’s not like any of us were raised knowing love; we had to fight to survive under Gilroth.”
Amber wanted to reach forward and hug her but Thromians were not physically supportive “Were you beaten too, Rix?” she asked softly instead.
“No. But seeing your brother being hurt…” she broke off. “We hate him so much, Amber.” She lifted her arm and showed off the black band. “And we can’t kill him.”
“Have you never found a way to undo the magic?” Amber stared at the ominous band that writhed beneath Rix’s flesh.
“No, the talisman was useless after Whyle took his second magical vow. Besides, Whyle says that seeking a cure and using it with the intention of murdering him could also set the curse in motion.”
“Second?” Amber had seen that Whyle sported two bands
“Long story for another day. One crazy Thromian’s troubles at a time.”
They lapsed into silence as Amber looked at Leyahanna’s preparations with disdain until Rix interrupted her thoughts. “I know you don’t want to, but you should come tonight. Having you there will be the punishment they all deserve.”
“Why?”
“Wrexel will spend the evening crazed that you could get hurt, but the Reds are not stupid enough to try something in public. Staede will be dying of envy that you’re not there as his, and Shihlo will be grossly uncomfortable at the reminder of insulting you today.” Rix grinned at their upcoming discomfort. “Your presence will make them as miserable as they deserve to be.”
When she left, Amber struggled between not wanting to make a fuss of something important to Wrexel and an unwillingness to hurt Leyahanna. She finally called her into the room to survey the white gown for the full moon ceremony.
All day long, visual reminders of the current standing of constitutional votes flashed across their monitors:
House of Green 21, House of White 14, House of Blue 18, and House of Red 47.
The Monarch was still four percent away from the ability to overrule the siblings, but a lot could change that night. Amber’s stomach knotted when she thought of Gilroth with more… or full… power.
* * *
The houses of Throm had been around for centuries, initially as houses of sport. However, when Gilroth was forced to declare a constitutional monarchy, they had become four political groups and the three brothers had assumed their control, as had the Monarch. Deep affiliation had been part of the Thromian identity, but once it became political, the importance of the stand grew. The house one chose to support was the center of a Thromian’s being. They lived according to its rules, swore upon it to validate claims, and stood with it proudly, for it embodied everything in which they believed. Each house, in addition to the association of vocation, represented many other ideals, beliefs, and rituals for a Thromian.
Leyahanna babbled on as she helped Amber dress, telling her how the evening would unfold. It was to be a highly festive event. The Thromians, who were usually boringly militaristic, would be out decorating the streets with their house colors. Amber looked out the window and saw the Four Wings castle draped with ribbons and flags according to the representative wing.
The eclipse was a perfect backdrop for announcing important decisions. The crowd’s excitement revealed that they loved the tradition. Some had already gathered in the courtyard below, and the media had constant announcements and interviews like a Thanksgiving parade.
Leyahanna told her that the Thromians even used this occasion to announce the decision to have children. Amber learnt there were no unplanned offspring on Throm. All men from the age of twenty were fitted with something called a Torlutacht, rendering them infertile. Thromian couples or triples who wanted families registered their decision. Men underwent the operation to remove the Torlutacht and children were born into solid families. Any other manner of having children was illegal, and the decision was celebrated at the full moon festival, along with marriages, educational victories, and promotions.
When Amber was finally dressed, Leyahanna stood back and clasped her mouth with joy. “You look so beautiful.” Her eyes filled with emotion and Amber smiled, looking at the dress in the mirror. It was Leyahanna’s interpretation of the night and had many Gweithi-inspired additions. The Thromian females donned white and Amber had seen past footage of their dresses. Whilst striking and elegant, she did not remember seeing lace, nor diamantes. But Leyahanna was beside herself with joy and Amber, despite thinking the outfit was a tad revealing, did not complain.
“Thank you.” She hugged the Gweithi, who reminded her she would prepare a table of snacks and drinks for when she and Wrexel returned. Wrexel hadn’t gone against Shihlo’s decision to attend the dinner, and later Amber would sit on the balcony with him and watch the ceremony from a distance.
“Will Wrexel escort you?” Leyahanna asked, looking at her wrist monitor.
“No, Inndra is taking me, giving them time to hash out their last few discrepancies.” She decided not to dwell on their morning arguments and waited for Inndra instead.
When he finally arrived, he looked a little harassed – an indication that the brothers were still on edge.
He stared at her with delight and then a slow grimace.
“What?” She knew Inndra had no interest in females but she still expected a better reaction. “I’m afraid you’re too beautiful,” he groaned. “Staede has been upping his jargon about having you, and Wrexel is, of course, rabid about it.” He held out his arm. “I hope they behave, because Shihlo is losing his reserve of patience.”
“It’s stupid,” she said as they entered the elevator. “I don’t want to be here or with either of them.”
* * *
Wrexel was having a semi-decent conversation with Staede. The slurs and claims had slowed, and they were actually making a sterling effort to provide the right picture of professionalism that Shihlo had demanded for the night. Their brother was beaming at their conduct and the five Red dignitaries who had accepted the invite did not look at him with sour distaste as they spoke in the far corner.
Those White, Green, and Blue who had been displeased of late seemed calmer after extensive talks with the brothers and relative calm had settled over the banquet.
It all ended when Amber entered.
Wrexel knew the moment he saw Staede’s reaction. The slow lifting of his head toward the staircase. The way his mouth parted and the slight intake of his breath made Wrexel’s blood run cold. He could handle his brother being competitive with him, but Staede was taking it to another level with Amber.
Wrexel turned and felt the same gut wrench he was sure affected Staede. It was moments like this, when her presence clawed at his insides, that he thought about Amber’s magical ability. There was no mistaking something more was in the room when he took her innocence, but it hadn’t occurred again and he now wondered if he imagined it. Even without the crackling green, his feelings for her weren’t normal. He should not feel the urge to run to her, clasp her like a prehistoric being and proclaim her as his. It was proper
ceremony for him to move toward the bottom of the staircase but the impact of seeing her so regal and beautiful, floating with her usual natural grace as she smiled up at Inndra, caused him to slow his steps. Her dress made him want to buy a casket of bonus jewelry for Leyahanna.
It was perfect.
Like her.
He took a deep breath of his own, knowing that if he moved forward, he would shame himself in public. Thromian males of his age should be adept at hiding attraction, but there was no way he would get his eyes back to their usual color in time.
He turned to Staede and saw his own raging desire mirrored in his brother’s gaze. For a moment, they just stared at each other, realizing the magnitude of her effect on them.
“This will not end well if you don’t stop,” Wrexel said in a low voice. “I cannot allow you to look at her like that.”
Staede looked at Amber and back at Wrexel. “And I cannot stop.” The desperation in his voice was not lost on Wrexel.
They both moved toward her but Shihlo made it to her first, and even he made Wrexel bristle with jealousy. The gaze she reserved for his brother was one of fondness as he kissed her hand. They looked like a god and goddess as Amber walked to meet those he presented to her.
Staede opted for the bar, leaving Wrexel to watch Amber as she spoke to those whom Shihlo gallantly introduced her to. His angelic-looking sibling had been right. Not one Thromian who met Amber looked at her with loathing or hatred’ they were entranced, some not exercising the control that was expected. The glints of violet that they smothered too late made his blood boil.
Whyle came to his side and handed him a drink. “Your eyes are boring holes into Shihlo,” he warned. “He’s doing his royal duty.”
“I know that.”
“Well, stop glaring.”
“Look how they stare at her.” Wrexel took a deep breath. “Maybe you should rerun the magic test; it’s not normal.”
“Of course it’s normal. She’s extremely attractive, with a body that won’t quit. I had to align my thoughts when she arrived.”
Wrexel looked at him with ire but Whyle held up a hand. “Relax, I have no intention of joining Staede’s mission of madness. She is beautiful and I have no doubt I would enjoy being her lover but I have no interest in being with a female who will play havoc with my heart and my loins. You can work through desire after a while, but when they get inside your skin, you’re screwed.” He snorted.
Wrexel stared at Amber in misery, hating the truth of Whyle’s words.
“Much like you.” Whyle smothered a laugh as he walked off.
Wrexel began to rationalize his feelings. He decided that he hadn’t had enough of her. If he had done all the things he had planned for weeks, perhaps she would be less of an enigma. He needed to get them out of his system, take her in all the ways he craved and then…
He found his plans had no ending.
Release her to Staede or another who looked at her with longing?
Allow her to go back to her limp-dicked fiancé?
No.
Never!
* * *
His vision of Amber was impaired by the arrival of his ex-lover Baerra, who had been looking at him meaningfully all evening.
“So, my hope that you would petition to change your contract from monogamy seems premature.” She sipped her drink and bristled when he used the back of his hand to move her by the shoulder until he could see Amber again.
“I am patient, though. All the males who made fools of themselves over the Earth whores are returning to Throm for company.”
Wrexel clenched his teeth. “Don’t overstep,” he warned her without removing his eyes from his wife.
“It’s been a colonial sex fest. The Hynafolians are too promiscuous and easy, the Vergonians too uptight and guarded, so they had a feast with the arrival of the Fourth Colony. But it’s gotten old and so, too, will your interest.”
Wrexel ignored her when he saw Shihlo drift apart from Amber. His jaw clenched when the males within the area began to move toward her in earnest. He brushed past Baerra and went to Amber’s side, glaring down all in her vicinity until they thanked her for her time and moved away. Amber looked up at him, her gaze cold and distant, and he told himself it didn’t matter as long as she agreed to let him touch her later. He would get her to melt, knew that despite her ongoing anger toward him, she wanted him. But he wasn’t able to speak or spirit her away, for Shihlo returned with a look of warning for him and a gentle smile for her.
“Thank you for tonight, Amber. Your presence, your grace, were exactly what they needed to see. No Thromian here can blame Wrexel for his choice after spending a few moments with you,” he said gently. “I hope that this morning I didn’t offend you or make you feel like a commodity as Rix suggested, for you will always have a place of honor in my life – a sister forever and a friend too.”
Amber smiled at him and when he extended his arm, she took it. She was used to politics, and understood the game and the pressure Shihlo was under. At least Shihlo was honest about the agendas humans usually pretended were something else.
* * *
Wrexel followed his younger brother and his wife to the table and sat beside Amber as she spoke to Shihlo and ignored him. He put his hand on the small of her back, which Leyahanna had left open, and ran his fingers down her spine, ignoring her anger and the way she stiffened. She kept her face turned to Shihlo, and Wrexel continued to toy with her spine until he could sense the subtle changes within her that he wanted. The way her breathing increased in pace, the telltale flush upon her cheeks.
Eventually he had his way, and she leaned back onto his palm, allowing him to slide his hand around her waist and draw her closer. Amber was drawn to him as much as he was to her and this pleased him, for he knew she tried hard to keep herself from responding. He upped his game and ran his fingers up her side. He felt her tremble as he laid a kiss on her neck. His mouth lingered on her fluttering pulse and he closed his eyes, lost in the scent and feel of her, longing to hold her closer, feel her responding to his touch.
“Time for you to leave,” he heard Whyle say, and he wondered if his gaze had given him away but Whyle was looking at the door. “The Monarch has announced his uninvited arrival.”
Amber stiffened when Inndra came over, followed by Staede. They both stood behind her as Wrexel’s hand tightened on her waist.
“He has the Sanbara,” Whyle groaned as the Monarch entered with great ceremony, the tethered beasts slowly walking at his side. Wrexel stood up and lifted Amber to her feet as his father approached. His eyes nervously watched the beasts and the guards. They all bowed their heads in ceremonial greeting – all except Amber, who was pushed behind both Wrexel and Staede. The Monarch couldn’t openly attack her, but they were not taking any chances.
“Why are you hiding the beauty who has had my men enraptured tonight?” The Monarch peered past Wrexel’s shoulder and all the brothers bristled when the Sanbara tugged at their chains as if they, too, were trying to see her. The Monarch frowned at them and gave their manacles a yank, making one bellow loud enough for the glasses to rattle on the table. “My beasts are excited for the ceremony,” he said and then gave up on his wish to see Amber. He proceeded to the flight deck exit.
* * *
Amber watched the Sanbara move away, her heart in her throat when one gazed back at her. It gave the same wail it had in the catacombs and the Monarch yanked its neck chain viciously. Amber hated cruelty to animals. The desire to help them to freedom was overwhelming. She decided on the spot that she would go out of her way to find inventive means of escaping Leyahanna and searching. If she could find the orb they coveted, the man who dragged the proud animals by their neck in a fake display of grandeur would lose his dominion.
“Take Amber home,” said Shihlo and Wrexel needed no further encouragement. He clasped her to his side and began to walk through the throng of Thromians who had finished their dinner and were eager to join the Monarch on
the grand balcony to view the incoming votes and celebrations.
As Wrexel and Amber reached the exit, Baerra stepped in their path and looked Amber up and down. “It’s not polite to just leave without introducing your wife to your ex-lover,” she purred.
Amber flinched. Baerra was a beautiful Thromian – exactly the type of female who should be at his side.
“I would,” replied Wrexel, “if I could remember your name.”
He lifted Amber’s hand to his lips and then led her past Baerra without a backward glance.
* * *
Amber sat on the stone seat overlooking the throngs outside the castle. The huge image of the proceedings was projected into the skyline. The crowds would not see her, and she was pleased that she watched the pomp and ceremony from a safe distance.
The sky image centered on Whyle, Staede, and Shihlo, who attended the ritual. The Monarch sat quietly at the back. Amber wondered if it was her imagination that he seemed to stare at Rix persistently. When she moved from one side of the stage to the other, his eyes followed her with a calculated stare. The footage then focused on Staede and she bit back a laugh. He was clearly charming an older Thromian female dignitary, who blushed, then looked outraged by something he said. Whyle kept his head buried in his monitor and did not look up at the cheering crowds. Shihlo was, as always, simply breathtaking. The wind had whipped up his hair and Amber chuckled to herself at his godlike appearance. Thromian females threw flowers of white at his feet; the blooms had already piled to his knees.
Wrexel slid in next to her and placed a glass of wine at her side. He watched the celebrations with her and snorted with laughter when an outraged female dignitary beside Staede slapped him and got up to storm to the other side of the stage. As she did this, she bumped into Whyle, who dropped his monitor and glared at Staede, sharing some choice words with him. Staede, however, had already turned his attention to the female on his other side. Her mouth also dropped open in shock at whatever he was saying.
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