Many wealthy royals were staying in the castle, filling the halls with tourists who admired the many paintings or the architecture. And a friendly pet Red. I hid in the bedroom. The dress arrived midday, Harris placed the two boxes on the bed and left the room without a word. I was accustomed to his silent hatred of me at this point, knowing the prejudice against those from Krev.
I gently pulled the top off the box.
Within the box, a sea of dark blue silk and lace, so dark it was almost black, like the night sky. Small gems were sewn into the fabric, giving the illusion of stars. I pulled the dress out, long lace sleeves like the petals of flowers, wrapping around the neckline. The back dipped low, while the hem of the dress touched the floor. Even as I held it up high, the skirt billowed out like a silk curtain in the breeze.
A knock sounded at the door, a female servant entering the room. “Would you like help, Lady Elara?”
I looked at the dress again, knowing I would need help with its complexities, and trying to forget about the scars that colored my body. I forced myself to give a small nod. “In a little while, though,” I said, as gracefully as I could manage.
I took a long bath, though I knew the time was flying. The jittering within the castle hummed that the ball would start soon.
I slipped into the dress and called to the servant, who had waited outside for the long hour. I wondered if she had ever been to a ball as I asked her to help fasten the back of the dress.
She quickly did so, and if she had seen my scars, she made no mention of it. She fidgeted with my hair, asking me what style I wished to go for. I told her whatever she thought would look best, surprised that she had asked my opinion at all.
She finished the hair, loose curls framed my face, and a small bun was secured with pins that shone like the ones on the dress. She powdered my face, applying kohl to my eyes and rouge to my lips and cheeks. When she finished, she gave a satisfied smile and a nod. She placed the mask over my eyes and helped to tie the ribbons around my head. “Perfect.”
When I was alone again, I paced the room, trying to muster the courage to leave. I avoided the mirror, afraid of the reflection. My sword left a lumpy mess when I tried to conceal it, forcing me to leave it behind. I gave the handle a small stroke of regret before stuffing a dagger under the mess of fabric. The small blade gave me the comfort to leave the room.
A long line of couples waited at the top of the staircase. Everyone stood in twos. A girl giggled as Keiran whispered sweet nothings in her ear. She wore a forest green mermaid gown, every inch clinging to her skin to show off her perfect body.
Gwen stood at the front of the line, Zander at her side. She wore a beautiful white dress, crafted from the clouds, and a mask of white feathers. Her escort wore a white suit, and a matching feathered mask.
“Lady Gwenivere, Grand Seer of Astrea, escorted by Prince Zander, General of the Astrean Army.”
Prince?
“He's my cousin, next in line for the throne.” Demetri said at my side. He wore a dark blue suit, the same as the color of my dress, styled like a military uniform. His sword rested at his side, and with his suit, it seemed only a costume accessory. His hair had been lightly styled, though the essence of messiness still remained. He wore a plain dark mask, covering around his eyes. As I turned to face him, his eyes trailed over me slowly, and I moved my head down in embarrassment from the scrutiny. His finger met my chin, tilting my chin upward to look into his dark eyes. “You look ravishing.”
I wished the mask covered more of my cheeks as he extended his arm to me. The line of couples had cleared. I took his offered arm and let him lead the way to the man who was announcing everyone. He looked between Demetri and I for a second before leaning forward, whispering. “Your title?”
Before I could answer, Demetri responded. “Princess Elara of Akeldama.”
“Princess Elara of Akeldama, escorted by His Royal Highness, Prince Demetri, ruler of Astrea.”
The crowd below silenced, everyone's eyes on me and the Prince. As we descended, whispers filled the room. I took each step carefully, leaning onto Demetri's support in the high heels. Maybe a mask could hide the identity when everyone had the same hair color, but my flaming red locks would reveal my identity as their enemy even with my face hidden. When we reached the bottom, there was an air of shock and amazement.
People stepped aside to clear a pathway for the two of us, bowing their heads at the Prince. The attention made me want to run and hide, but my eyes flashed to Demetri, who gave a smirk of support.
We moved to where Gwen and Zander stood, and the girl at Keiran's side glared at me, her envy as green as her dress.
Demetri gave a small excuse before stepping away to speak to the elders. I knew that they would chastise him for escorting me. A Red. But I pushed it from my mind. He had saved me from descending the steps alone, and from the criticism of the locals. He had stood by my side to protect me, as he had promised he would.
“How is he both the Prince and the ruler of Astrea? Why not just call him King?” I asked Gwen, but it was Zander who answered.
“By our laws, he must take a Queen to become the King.”
“But he already has the power of a king, why not just call him so?” I asked, turning to the two of them, and averting my eyes from the Prince.
Zander frowned, taking a moment to answer. “He doesn't have the power of a King, nor the respect of one. That is why he cannot sit on the throne in Taroth. He hasn't earned the respect of our Queen, let alone our Kingdom.” Zander's tone hushed suddenly as Demetri approached.
A smirk remained on his face, despite the discomfort on Zander's. “Yes, Zander. And these are the occasions to find such a Queen,” Demetri said.
“My Prince, I apologize,” Zander began.
Demetri threw up his hand to stop him. “Go. Enjoy yourself, cousin.”
Zander gave a nod, taking Gwen's hand and making their way out into the center of the ballroom. He wrapped his arms around her waist, lulling her into a dance. She grinned wide under the lanterns above, imitating the starlight.
“A dance, Elara?” Demetri asked, taking my hand and pulling me forward. My heart raced in a panic, wondering if I could feign good dancing on such short notice.
He guided me beneath the starry lanterns, everyone making a circle around us. I caught expressions of shock and admiration. Jealousy radiated from some of the faces.
His hands touched my waist, and butterflies ran through my body at his touch. He moved gently, correctly positioning me as he had done many times within our training. So gently, they felt like movements of my own.
His touch sent fire through my veins, into my heart. I looked into his eyes as our feet began to move. He nudged me in the right direction, but to my eyes, the dance moved fluidly, gracefully.
He leaned forward to whisper in my ear. “Perhaps I should have spent my time on dance lessons instead of sword fights.”
A smile stretched on my face, lowering my eyes, “That bad?” My cheeks heated. When I looked up next, he grinned in amusement.
When the music slowed to a stop, the dancers and surrounding crowd clapped. My head bowed in thanks at the Prince as he released my waist. His hand grasped mine as he bowed low and kissed my knuckles. He met my eyes as he rose, “You bow to no one. Thank you for the dance, little Red.”
The Prince walked away and I fanned my face as I tried to hide myself away by the refreshments.
“Don't get all doe-eyed,” said a voice next to me. A gave a small curtsy in response to hers—Keiran's date. “I'm Quinn.”
“Elara,” I said. “Doe-eyed?”
“Charmed.” She paused, looking over the dance floor. “I see the way you look at him. You like him. As any girl would. He's intelligent, handsome, gentlemanly, powerful...” She trailed off, her eyes going dreamy. “When I told you my name, I thought you'd recognize it. I'm Quinn,” she repeated. “Demetri's fiancee.”
Her eyes narrowed at my shock.
; “My family has entered into negotiations with the Council of Elders. Our dowry was accepted last week.” Her voice was cold, threatening.
I breathed deeply, forcing myself to stand taller, confidently. “Though, it seems Demetri didn't get the message, either. Considering he escorted me.”
She laughed, a huff of air through her nose. “Yes, to be polite. You are a guest in Empyrea, after all. The engagement proceedings will begin next week. Though, this has been in the works for months.” Her eyes scanned the room as she spoke.
My heart fell at her words. But what had I expected? Demetri had a country to rule. My feelings were inconsequential. Quinn took a drink from a passing server, using her free hand to gently pat my arm.
She was tall and beautiful, with a strong jaw. The kind of woman you'd expect to be queen. Someone who looked like they could handle anything. The opposite of me.
“Do you know where Prince Demetri has run off to?” she asked, her eyes still scanning.
I shook my head, though I doubted she could see. I backed away, moving toward one of the many doors leading to the outside. A cool breeze hit my face as I exited the castle. I found a breath of relief, not realizing how stuffy the large ballroom had been.
The balcony looked over the endless garden. Some of the partygoers had made their way out there, basking in the starlight and their lover's embrace.
Why was I even jealous? Who was I to intrude on their world?
“It's hard not to fall in love with such a place.” I spun around to find Demetri. He handed me a fancy glass of bubbly liquid.
My anger faded as I looked at him, taking the drink as a truce. “It's so beautiful here. Surreal. I never could have imagined all this existed.”
“Probably why we've been able to survive so long. Can't be invaded if the invaders don't know where you are.” He meant it as a joke, a small smirk resting on his face, but a pang of guilt ran through me.
“The people of Krev only ever saw it as defending our borders.”
“And when your borders expand? What happens to the people on the land you've taken?” I shook my head, but Demetri continued. “We were not the first to be conquered by Krev. At least some of our people survived.” He grimaced at the unspoken thought.
I rose my eyebrows, scanning my brain for any history of such. But nothing came to mind. Of course, an immortal would have more information of the past than I did.
“Never mind that now.” He said, stretching his arm in front of me. “Tonight is for fun. Letting go of the past and enjoying the present. Celebrating our alliance.” He nodded back to the ballroom.
I didn't take his arm and I turned back around. “I met your fiancee.” I said quietly.
He stood next to me. “Fiancee?” He gave a confused look before laughing. “Oh, you mean Quinn.” He leaned his back against the railing so that he could face me. “Her family has been trying to bribe their way into power forever.”
I took another sip of the bubbly liquid, allowing myself to let go a little before setting the glass down and taking Demetri's arm. I eyed his face with each touch as we reentered the ballroom, but his face remained still, showing no sign of any emotion.
He pulled me into another dance. This time my feet moved easier, my smile came naturally. The drink had made me pleasantly tipsy. We moved faster this time, sweeping around the dance floor. Somehow, I let go of my insecurities and my body was free with the movement of the music. I spun and twisted at Demetri's guidance. The skirt of the dress twirled around me, and through my mask, I gazed at the world as though I were a different person.
When we finished, I was out of breath, drinking the bubbly liquor faster than I meant to. With my thirst quenched, my head spun.
“Will you go for a stroll with me?” the Prince asked. I nodded, wishing I could see his handsome face through the black mask.
I set the drink down on an empty table before we went. Demetri guided me out into the fresh air of the garden. Shadows lurked all around, but I felt safe in the company of the Prince of Darkness. Even now, his jeweled sword hung at his side, while mine was safely tucked away in my room. His black scaled armor was missing, but the military suit provided enough intimidation.
Soon, we were far from people, except for the silent lovers stealing the night away, hidden in the garden, and the lonely ones, staring up at the starry sky above for answers.
“You look gorgeous tonight,” Demetri said as we walked.
I slowed, looking at him. “Thank you. You shape up pretty well yourself.”
He smirked, continuing to walk until we stopped in a colorful clearing. He turned to face me when we were near the center. His fingers reached around the back of my head, plucking the ribbon of the mask and removing it. He let it fall to the ground, removing his own as he looked down at me.
Time slowed as we stared at each other. He leaned forward, his lips pressing against mine. My heart thudded, I gasped in silently. He pulled away after a moment, meeting my eyes as though to gauge my response. And then he kissed me again, more passionately.
He backed me into a tree, his fingers lacing through my hair to bring us closer. Our lips locked and hands moved over each other, never able to get close enough.
“What the hell!” Keiran strode into the clearing as the two of us broke apart. “I thought you had higher standards than a Red!”
Demetri marched toward him threateningly, but Zander appeared behind them, pulling Keiran back and pushing him against the wall. “How dare you speak to our Prince so disrespectfully!” Zander's tone was scarier than I'd ever heard it. He pushed a drink from Keiran's hand, and the glass shattering on the ground made me jump. “I think you've had enough.”
“Have you even asked how many she's murdered? Do you care?” Keiran's words slurred together from the alcohol.
My head spun as Demetri raised his fist at Keiran. “No!” I shouted. Demetri paused to look at me.
A moment of clarity passed over me as our eyes met. He had said before he had no desire for a Red. This had only been a drunken mistake. Something that we would awkwardly try to pretend never happened if nobody had seen. Like how we tried to forget how he held my hand, or touched his lips to my temple when he taught me to fight.
I shook my head, backing away from the three of them. And then I turned and ran away. Deep into the garden, far away from the Stalkers. But the Shadow around me ensured me that I was not safe. Not here, not ever.
23
The garden grew dark around me, the flowers turning to trees, the leaves growing sparse. Only an inkling of starlight shone through the thick lacing of branches. The leaves turned to sharp pointed needles. I skidded to a stop.
The smell hit me. Fresh, exhilarating, foreign. The branches hung low on the trunks, scraping the forest floor. Behind me, no sign of the garden. When I turned back, the forest was so dark it had morphed to gray. A thick cloud hung low to block the stars, like light hitting dust.
I heard laughter in the distance, echoing eerily in the forest. A child sprinted through the trees in front of me, a wooden sword in his hand. His youthful face looked my direction, but continued running as though he had not seen a thing.
Had I managed to find myself back into the Forest of Souls? I looked around, not feeling any familiarity.
A woman with white hair appeared in the distance, and I hid behind a tree trunk, watching as she passed nearby. She wore a white robe, with golden tassels. Braids intricately folded her hair back.
She spun toward me and I gasped as she met my eyes. “No,” she said, her voice a whisper. A circle of red appeared on her stomach, expanding slowly.
I screamed, dashing to her, and falling on my knees by her collapsed body. As my hands reached for her, her body disappeared into a mist of Shadow, a gentle force passing through my fingers. What had Demetri called them?
Those that have died will often linger here in the Underworld before they pass to the Shadowlands. Their soul attached to this world, or to people within it. They'r
e like ghosts. We call them Shades, they are part of the Shadow.
Shades. I jumped to my feet, spinning around, looking for any clue of the direction I'd come from.
“Elara!” Someone yelled, far in the distance. I ran toward the voice, ready to end this nightmare. “Elara!” The voice said again, closer this time.
“Mother?” The word came out instinctively as I recognized her voice. In the distance, she held a red rose in her hands. I trotted toward her, uncertainly. “Mother...” I said again, but she didn't seem to hear me.
Her hair was grayer than I remembered, wrinkles covering her face. As I reached her, she faded away, carried by a breeze, her body morphing into smoke.
My body froze in panic.
“Elara!” I heard someone yelling. Shaking my head, I took a moment to turn around, expecting to see my mother again when I saw Keiran. “There you are, Red. Demetri sent me to...” He stopped, noticing my panic. “Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost.” He shook his head. “I never wanted to hurt you. I know that you are not the people who killed my family. Those people died many generations ago.”
He'd sobered up, must have thought that I was mad about how he'd reacted to me and the Prince. I'd been gone a while. I narrowed my eyes at him, gritting my teeth in anger before I spoke. “What are you keeping from me?”
“What are you talking about?” he said, turning around and beginning to walk away. “Come on, the Prince said if I don't bring you back in one piece, he'd beat the—” He turned around, seeing that I was not following. “You coming?”
As much as I wanted to leave this place, I wanted answers more. My fists curled in to balls. “Not until you tell me what's going on.”
“I have no idea what you're talking about.”
“This place, how does it work?”
Keiran rolled his eyes. “It's a pool of memories.” He said it as certainly as if it explained everything. “The Shades wander here. Usually they just reenact their memories. But others wander aimlessly, lost, unable to find the Shadowlands.”
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