Page 13 of A Wrecking of Salt and Fire

Ember gasped. “That is stunning. Tell the maids to stop their search for the perfect fabric. King Athanas must have brought it all the way from Morentius, it would be rude not to wear it. Plus, it is a lot better than any of the horrendous options we’ve just seen.”

As Katrin ran her fingers along the silk she couldn’t help but worry. Worry if wearing this was proof she might take orders from others before herself, proof that she condoned whatever Kohl believed his father might be up to.

Smooth black silk wicked away Katrin’s sweat despite the heat being its strongest this late in summer. The gown fit beautifully, she admitted. No tailoring was needed, it was as if each piece of the gown was pinned directly to her body and stitched on.

Spinning in front of the mirror, Katrin took in the intricate detailing once more. Her hair was fully pinned up, with braids circling into the center of a bun. Tendrils twirled down the front, framing her face and her eyes that were lined heavily with black. The deepest shade of red, matching that of the viper’s fangs on her back, painted her lips. A set of gold and onyx earrings glittered in the firelight, a matching necklace engraved with the fiery sun and lightning bolt of Alentus hung at her neck.

Light notes danced along Katrin’s balcony making their way through the open doors. The melody was lovely, prompting her to spin and twirl until she could not see straight. It enchanted her as she swayed over toward the doors, peering down at the people gathering below. They were dressed in the colors of the surrounding isles, the men in fine coats and shined leather boots, the women in floor-length gowns clinging to their bodies in the heat.

Although her sister usually delighted in balls more than she ever did, Katrin was excited for this one. The mark of a new era. She was not fully ready to take on being queen, but she would show everyone why she deserved it anyway. There was no more time for self-doubt. This is what she was born to do.

Ember arrived exponentially late to escort Katrin to the gardens, but looked more poised and delicate than Katrin ever could. As they entered through the archway, the music cut short, all eyes turning toward her in the long shimmering black gown. Her sister curtsied, picking up the corner of her simple yet flawless turquoise gown beaded with pearls, and entered first.

Out of nowhere, Kohl stepped to Katrin’s side, slipping a rough palm against the small of her back. “You look beautiful,” he whispered in her ear.

Katrin looked up at her love, and pure starlight twinkled in her eyes. His wavy brown hair was tied back in a sleek bun, his chiseled jaw smiled so large Katrin could hardly control the pink that spread across her cheeks. Kohl barely fit inside of the black jacket he sported, the lines of his muscular arms and back showing through the silken garb. Gold thread edged the cuffs and seams along the bottom. A similar viper to Katrin’s was also stitched up his back.

A sour taste coated her mouth. Quite the ploy indeed. King Athanas knew exactly what it would show the other isles by them both arriving in these outfits. Morentius was the power in the relationship. They were loyal first and foremost to the southern ways.

In an instant, Katrin regretted playing politics and the doting bride-to-be. She wished she was in a similar gown to her sister, now glowing in the corner by the commander.

Placing her hand in Kohl’s, the two began to descend the steps into the garden’s courtyard. When they reached the opening on the floor below, they stopped. Ajax moved toward them in his uniform of golden leather, the symbol of the Drakos Court embossed over his heart. He bowed to Katrin and Kohl and turned toward the crowd.

“May I present Princess Aikaterine Drakos, heir-apparent to the Throne of Alentus and her future consort, Kohl Athanas, Prince of Morentius.” The crowd erupted in applause as the two future rulers walked farther into the center of the ball.

Ajax’s voice rose once more and the crowd went silent. “To begin the festivities of this week’s Acknowledgement, our future queen and consort will grace us with the opening dance.” Again he bowed, stepping back toward Ember, who was now holding hands with Kora along the side of the garden. Iason stood next to them, permanently clutching the hilt of his sword, ready to protect the current queen if anything went awry.

Kohl grazed his lips along Katrin’s cheek in a faint kiss. “May I have the honor, my sweet Aikaterine?”

Katrin laughed, “You know I hate it when people call me by that name.”

“Maybe you don’t like it, but I happen to love it. Almost as much as I love you.” Kohl wrapped his arm around her waist, the other taking her palm in his, beginning to twirl them as the musicians started playing once more.

A sweet melody drifted toward them, one filled with romance and happiness, but also longing and unrequited love. A curious choice for the first dance of the week. Blue eyes in the crowd caught hers as they spun over the marble tiling. A familiar smile from her dawn runs. But when they turned once more, the young farmer was gone. Had she imagined the lighthearted crook of the man’s lips, the tanned skin and black hair she came to recognize so well in the morning light?

Katrin let her eyes flutter closed. She must have been confused. Farmers did not attend this sort of event. Letting Kohl lead her around the dance floor, she allowed the soft notes to drift her into a beautiful trance. The hem of her gown glittered in the twinkling fire lights that lined the courtyard. So did the two vipers on their backs that seemed to spin into one in the setting sun. It was the most simple and yet magical melody that she heard in a long time and for once, a sound, not silence, made her forget the trauma of her past.

When the song finally ended, Katrin’s chest heaved, breath still trying to seep into her lungs. A slight bit of sweat clung to her upper lips, but she did not care. Her eyes flicked up toward Kohl’s and the rest of the courtyard disappeared. It was only the two of them there. Then the music started again and others stepped out to join them. Warm ebony eyes and a wicked grin stared down at Katrin. Kohl slid one hand down her back as the other delicately took her wrist and led her to the back of the courtyard, where tall marble pillars held up the balcony above. It was darker there, only a small torch lit the entryway back to the castle. Quiet shadows concealed their bodies.

Katrin gasped as Kohl picked her up and sat her on top of the stone wall. His hands slid up the slit in her dress and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, tugging him closer by his jacket lapels. A small moan left Katrin’s throat as Kohl pressed his lips to hers. Then he broke from their kiss, tracing her collar bone with his tongue as his hand slid higher and higher up her leg.

That was where they always stopped and he always let her, but the feral look in his eyes—dominating, possessive—said he might not stop this time. Katrin was not sure she could let him touch her in the ways Kohl wanted. Desire was always there, plastered on his face. The glint in his eyes, the twitch of his lips, the way his fingers dug lightly into her flesh. But after everything that happened to her, she did not know when she would finally be able to give up that part of her.

With her legs still looped around him, she could feel his want against her, threatening to break the laces on his trousers. He lifted his lips from her neck, piercing her with a devilish look. The room seemed to swirl around her and Katrin was unsure if it was Kohl, or the heat, or the glass of bubbled wine she drank to calm her nerves. Kohl knelt down in front of her, pushing back the hem of her gown. Would she need to stop him now? Was it finally time she let him have what he wanted?

“Ahem…” Katrin’s eyes opened as she flashed over to the man standing by the flickering flame. A breath loosened from Katrin’s lips and the fluttering of her heart began to settle, as the commander strode closer to them. “Excuse me, Princess, but dinner is about to be served and we can’t start until the guests of honor are present.”

Red seeped across Katrin’s cheeks when she stood up, brushing the wrinkles out of her delicate gown. Kohl nodded to Ajax, no shame upon his face, and took Katrin’s hand in his sweaty palm to lead her back to the courtyard. Music trickled through the air and Kohl leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I’ll make sure to save some of my appetite for later.”

Katrin could not find the words to tell him there would not be a later.

Lavish dishes lined the tables. Baskets of fruits and nuts. Several types of freshly baked bread with olive oil for dipping. Cheese and figs. Fresh fish caught that morning. A wild boar perfectly cooked in the center. Pitchers of wine, bubbly and still, were being served from large clay vases.

People rose and bowed to Katrin and Kohl as they walked around toward the head table, empty seats left for them to either side of Kora and King Athanas. Iason had taken a seat across from Kora, next to Ember who giggled under her palm at something the old man had whispered.

“Mother…King Athanas…” Katrin bowed to each before taking her seat. Kohl followed suit. “Thank you for hosting such a lovely party before my Acknowledgement. The food looks divine.”

Katrin’s smile widened at her favorite fish placed on a dish in front of her. Her mother smiled back, radiant amber eyes glittering in the candlelight. She wore an intricate cobalt blue sleeveless silk gown, dipping lower in the front than her mother usually preferred. A sheer sparkling fabric lay on top of the skirt, mimicking the crystal waters swirling on a summer’s day. A delicate chain hung from her neck with a single crystal gem. A gold star, her father’s wedding gift to Kora all those years ago.

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