Page 75 of Ruby & Onyx

“Not obvious, no. Just a guess.”

Is he teasing me?

He laughs softly, shoving his hands into his pockets. “You know, I’ve imagined every possible iteration of this very conversation, but not one of those scenarios accounted for how nervous I would be. Now, it’s like I can’t remember how to speak at all.”

“Is that what you say to all the ladies?”

“No. Only you, Radya.” He says my name slowly like he’s testing it, savoring it. While I know that I’m the guest of honor, which means everyone here likely knows my name, I like that he knows my name.

When I was young, my mother took me to a field of sunflowers. I’d never seen such a thing before. They were so tall and colorful, and each one naturally angled itself toward the sun. I couldn’t believe how they did that. With no need for instruction or sight, they knew how to find their energy source and soak up its rays. It was in their nature.

Standing in this man’s presence makes me feel like a sunflower, and I find myself wanting to open up to him.

“What’s your name?” I ask.

“Call me Bas.” Over his shoulder, I see two masked individuals staring at us intently. Their arms are folded across their chests and not even an inch of skin is visible beneath their leather riding clothes. I strain to get a better look, only to see them turn and walk away. When I try to refocus my attention on Bas, he’s gone. I look around the room, searching for his silver mask, but he is lost in the sea of people.

“Bas,” I whisper to myself just to taste the name on my lips. It’s sweeter than honey.

Another memory tickles the back of my brain. I try to unlock it, but it’s just out of reach as if the door to the memory is covered by layers of impenetrable stone. But the hint of the memory calls out nonetheless, begging to be recovered.

Liliana finds me standing alone, looking like a dazed and confused fool. “Everything okay? I couldn’t find you.”

“Yes, sorry. I got overwhelmed by the crowd,” which isn’t a lie. “Do you know someone named Bas?”

“Bas? No, I don’t think so. Why? Did someone bother you?” She asks like a mother hen, ready to snap at anyone who comes too close.

“No, no. I just didn’t recognize him.” That explanation would fall flat under scrutiny, given that I don’t recognize the majority of people here, but she seems to let it go. She starts talking to me about something, but her words get lost in the sound of music. The rhythm lulls me into a waking dream, where that silver mask is the focal point.

I only snap out of it when Queen Eleanor steps onto the dais. The music stops suddenly and the crowd goes silent as all of the attention focuses on her. Her luminous skin glows even more radiantly tonight, as does the king’s.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” the king bellows, his voice amplified by enchantments. “It is our honor to acknowledge a most wonderful young woman whose very presence is a gift. Radya, where are you?” He looks out into the crowd, searching each masked individual for me.

Liliana places her hand on my back, nudging me to step forward. “Go on, then. It’s your time to shine, dear.”

My heart is racing so fast that I can hear it thumping in my ears. I place one foot slowly in front of the other as I proceed to the dais. Every head turns toward me, so I focus on my shuffling feet. But even without looking, I can still feel the weight of their attention on me.

“Ah, there you are!” He motions for me to hasten my steps.

I realize that this could be the announcement that will invoke the tripudio and open the window for me to find Guylita. I must find her in the crowd. Now. Hoisting my skirt above my ankles, I ascend the stairs and pray to the gods that I don’t trip. The upper half of Eleanor and Vani’s faces are covered by masks, but their tight controlled smiles are still visible.

Eleanor greets me with a kiss on the cheek, which takes me by surprise. I fumble to return the gesture. Our masks scrape against each other, leaving both of ours askew, but she doesn’t flinch. She gracefully straightens it before turning to address the crowd. “Thank you all for coming to this magnificent celebration!”

A roar of cheers echoes, but I’m too busy scanning the crowd for a doll’s mask to respond.

“We hoped that Prince Allwyn could be in attendance tonight, but he was called away to fulfill his duty of protecting this kingdom from the evils that exist across the border,” she says with a rousing intonation that elicits differing reactions across the room.

A handful of women sigh, while most of the men grunt with patriotic pride. One man, however, scoffs. My eyes draw to him immediately. To Bas. He’s standing with one leg bent and resting against the wall behind him. His arms are folded across his chest.

Butterflies erupt in my core and flutter through me. The mere sight of this stranger makes me flustered beyond recognition. It’s overwhelming, and I don’t have time for it.

I stamp out the butterflies and resume searching for Guylita.

Queen Eleanor is still speaking, but her words refuse to land in my mind until I hear my name mentioned. “Radya and my son are pleased to announce their wedding plans. Once he’s back, the real celebration will begin.” She lifts her glass into the air, raising the spirits in the room with it. She cuts a glance over to me, silently urging me to follow her lead.

Why would she tease the people by telling them about our supposed wedding plans when I have yet to agree? I try to keep my expression neutral, but I fear that my eyes must give me away. The people don’t seem to notice as they clink their glasses together.

King Vani exclaims, “Let us celebrate!”

---