Page 52 of Ocean of Silver

Kallon shrugged lazily. “I wanted to bring a date, and Goddess knows you are no fun at these functions. Plus, Scottie is much prettier to look at.”

At that, Tezya finally glanced at me. I caught his furious expression faltering just briefly as he took in my gown. His lips parted, and his eyes widened, his pupils expanding and dilating. I swore he inhaled my scent, but then it was gone. His former livid expression was plastered back on. “This isn’t a joke, Kallon. You shouldn’t have brought her tonight.”

“I can make decisions for myself,” I snapped at him, furious that they were discussing me like I wasn’t standing right in front of them.

Tezya turned his rage on me. “No, you can’t, Rumor. You aren’t a citizen yet. And you’re walking a very thin line. A line that I don’t want to snap. You are still considered the King’s prisoner, his property. If he sees you here—” He stopped and turned toward Kallon. “Keep her hidden from him.” His gaze found mine again as he added, “Even though that’s going to be nearly impossible in that gown.” Then he stalked off, disappearing into the crowd before I could think over what he said.

The room the Ball was held in was enormous. Large windows opened up to the sky, displaying the sinking sun, causing hues of colors to cascade onto the dance floor. And wherever a window didn’t line the wall, it was met with lights, electricity flooding the room into brightness for when the sun descended.

A silver dais was positioned to face the open floor of dancers. It was raised high enough so it could be seen from anywhere in the room. There were four dark thrones on top of it that seemed so out of place compared to the rest of the open and airy decor. It was like the thrones were a reminder of the menacing ruling family who controlled Lux.

The three smaller ones weren’t complex. No intricate designs were carved into the stone. They were simple and to the point. Prince Arcane filled the first seat. He was positioned so he could gaze out at the sea of flowing gowns dancing below. His eyes didn’t seem to focus on anyone in particular but rather just watched the dancing unfold. He was striking in his cobalt blue robes and silver hair as he sat perched against the ebony throne. He resembled his father, a more handsome, younger, and slimmer version of the King. The only difference was that he didn’t possess the same eerie presence the King exuded, and his hair was longer.

The other two thrones were left bare, presumably for Princess Dovelyn and the Fire Prince. My heart raced at the thought of finally seeing him. I had no doubt that he would be here tonight, and the three smaller thrones were indication enough. I just hadn’t realized that coming tonight meant I’d be in the same room as him. I would finally be able to put a face to the male that haunted my nightmares.

His fire is so powerful that he leaves the battlefields in flames. There are no survivors—no bodies to bury. Just ash.

The last throne was the largest and almost took up as much space as the three smaller ones combined. It was broad and dark, with tendrils of charcoal vipers wrapping and snaking itself around the arms. It resembled a darker, deadlier version of the Goddesses’ snake symbol. Large onyx wings looked to be wielded into the tall seat, but I couldn’t fully make out the intricate details as the Lux King languished on the stone slab. His gaze met mine as a wicked, cruel smile peppered his thin lips. A shiver went up my spine from his assessment. Crap. So much for him not noticing me.

I felt glued in place, unable to move as his eyes roamed the thin fabric of my dress before meeting my wide-eyed stare. There was something about him that was wrong. My body screamed to run in his presence, begging me to put as much space between him as I could, but I couldn’t move. He radiated power, too much power for one Advenian to control. I wondered if my enhancement could sense that? If that was why I hated his presence—that enhancing his abilities would be impossible. I didn’t know what powers he possessed or what he could do, but I knew whatever it was had to be awful.

It wasn’t until Kallon placed a gentle hand on my back that I finally pried my eyes away from the King.

Letting out a sigh of relief, I happily followed her toward one of the large buffets. Table after table after table was filled and brimmed with foods that lined the walls. My mouth watered as I took in the scents wafting through the air. I silently filled my silver plate to the brim with mounds of food I couldn’t name. As we took a seat at the only vacant table left, I started digging into my helpings. I moaned softly as I took the first bite of something soft and flakey, the raspberry-filled layer coating my taste buds.

Dovelyn and Brock had already filled two of the seats as Rainer came up behind me and took the chair opposite mine. I was surprised that the Princess wasn’t sitting on the throne next to her brother, but I figured that Brock had something to do with it. Her body was positioned and angled to face him as they shared a soft conversation. I couldn’t help but notice the way Brock’s eyes lingered on hers when she wasn’t looking. The gaze was layered with longing and desire, but he never seemed to act on it. Whenever I saw the two of them together, they were professional. In fact, they never even touched. Was that even allowed? Could a rank four touch a rank five? I knew so little about the Luxian customs, and whatever was taught in the Tennebrisians schools weren’t nearly enough.

Dovelyn looked like a fallen Goddess, but I guess that was expected of the Luxian Princess. Her flowing gown was silver to match her stunning hair and eyes. Jewels and diamonds were sewn into the threads so that it sparkled in the light as she turned and swayed. Her long hair was pinned up to reveal her small delicate neck. Her full lips were painted a light pink, at odds with her pale, almost translucent skin.

Rainer broke my train of thought as he said, “Wow, Scottie, you look gorgeous.”

“I will take thanks for that,” Kallon smiled as she sipped from a large glass of ale. I wondered if it was her own homemade one from the party. It smelled strong, with malt and hops instantly filling my nose.

I didn’t know how to reply and was happy when Kallon chimed in. I couldn’t deny that I felt pretty for once—or maybe I just felt alive again—but I didn’t think gorgeous was the right word. I looked more like I was trying to seduce someone in bed rather than be at a ball. But judging by how a lot of the Luxians were dressed tonight, I didn’t look that ridiculous. Regardless of the fact that the slits in my dress went up to my hips and that the flaming red color clashed against the silver in the room, the Luxian fashion seemed to consist of exposing the most skin in a delicate way with as little as possible.

“Uh-yeah. Whatever you say, Kal,” Rainer stammered as he finally took a seat. He had two sparkling glasses in his hands, and he gestured one to me.

“Thank you,” I said as I took it from him and tasted the sweet, fizzling contents. I moaned again. This was definitely my new favorite drink.

“Scottie, with how much you moan over your food and drinks, I don’t even want to know how loud you are in bed,” Kallon laughed. And it was at that moment that Tezya sauntered over to the table, no doubt hearing what Kallon had just said.

I blushed, and I swore my cheeks matched my dress as I cursed under my breath and set down the wondrous glass of alcohol.

“She has a tendency to do that,” Tezya said as he slid into the seat between Kallon and Dovelyn. Then he added, “When eating,” when all of his friends gave him a strange look. Yep. He definitely heard that.

“Well, I like it,” Rainer said with one of his big white smiles. “It’s adorable.”

Kallon’s laugh was deep and didn’t match her slender frame and light voice. “Of course you do. You’re a male. It’s like she’s having sex with the food.”

“Can you stop,” I gritted between my teeth as my palms clasped the silken material of my gown.

Before my embarrassment could sink to an entirely new level, the music in the Ball halted. On cue, the twirling swirls of color that were swishing and swaying on the glossy floor ceased.

A scrawny man who was profusely sweating stammered onto the front of the dais. Everyone turned toward him as he cleared his scratchy throat. “Would the Royal family please come forth and take their positions on the dais.”

Tezya’s tanned hands gripped the edges of the table so firmly that they turned white. Kallon looked wearily over at him. “Fuck,” he murmured so low I thought I imagined it.

Dovelyn rose swiftly, her diamond gown flowing behind her petite form as she made her way to the empty throne next to Prince Arcane. My breath caught in my throat as I glanced around the room, searching for the Fire Prince. Movement stirred in my periphery as Tezya rose from the table. His jaw was set tight, his eyes pleading as they looked over at me for just a moment.

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