Page 107 of Draekora

The festival was in full swing, as it had been for hours, yet no one had seen Aven at all that day. After an oddly silent trip back to the palace last night, Aven had dropped her off to her room with a soft smile, and neither Alex nor anyone else had seen him since.

That morning she’d been woken as per normal for a dawn sparring session with Niyx, with him reminding her that, summer banquet or not, they only had one day left before she would return to her time and needed to make the most of it. Butterflies had hit her stomach at his words and she’d readily agreed, knowing that while she’d already come so far thanks to his training, there was always more room for improvement.

After finishing their gruelling workout, she’d had breakfast with Niida and played three games of Stix with Astophe, before returning to trainingagain. Alex was particularly pleased with herself when, for the first time ever, she managed to win their sparring match—a match in which Niyx hadn’t been holding back at all. The approving gleam that entered his eyes had been all the praise she’d needed; it hadn’t even mattered that she’d had to lather her numerous wounds withlaendrato heal any evidence of her mortal blood that had spilled during her conquest. She had fought a Meyarin properly—andwon.

Thankfully, he called it quits for them on that high note, releasing her to go and enjoy the early afternoon street entertainment that would last until the masquerade.

Skipping through the streets spilling with people, music, food and everything a citywide celebration should be, Alex had been beside herself with glee. She’d felt so alive, surrounded by such vibrant energy. Acrobats and fire twirlers had captivated audiences, and Meyarins had danced without reservation, even drawing Alex in to join them, their merriment contagious.

When the sun had begun to lower on the horizon, Alex had returned to her room where Niida and Kyia had been waiting with unrestrained excitement, both already wearing their own stunning outfits. They’d helped Alex into her magical gown, presenting her with a mask that was equally beautiful, delicately embroidered with thin strands of Myrox that adhered to her skin as if she’d been born wearing it. The three of them had then joined the king and Roka—who Alex had been happy to see, given his absence of late; but she’d been even more pleased to note his open-mouthed reaction upon seeing Kyia in her formalwear—before joining the carousing citizens of Meya, many of whom were packed into the palace ballroom.

Alex had felt a note of pride while taking in the revelling Meyarins and their dazzling attire. Despite having known not the first thing about immortal fashion, she, along with Kyia and Niida, had pulled off a miracle with the outfits. Not a single individual was left lacking in the wardrobe department—males and females alike looked fit to be kings and queens. And she had helped make that happen.

Standing on the sunset balcony of the ballroom with Niyx, Alex came to the sharp realisation that she would miss the Meya of the past. Come tomorrow, she would no longer be considered one of them; she’d no longer be known as Aeylia the Meyarin, she’d be back to being Alex the mortal. She’d once more be targeted by the scathing ire of the future councillors, as well as the hatred of a queen whom she had come to adore. Niyx would detest her, Aven would be back to wanting her dead. And as for Xiraxus, she had no idea what fate would befall him or if she’d ever see him again.

Sure, some things she would be relieved to have back to normal, like Roka and Kyia being together, and Zain not being a wanted criminal. She was also looking forward to not having to worry about hiding her identity, and she couldn’t wait to reunite with her friends and family, even if to them no time would have passed. But even so, Alex knew she would forever leave a piece of her heart in the past.

“What troubles you, Aeylia?” Niyx asked, pulling her eyes from the setting sun and back to him.

“It’s nothing, Niyx,” she answered with a sigh. “I’m just thinking about tomorrow. About the future.”

“That sounds like much too weighty a consideration for a party affair,” a new voice interrupted.

As one, both Alex and Niyx turned around to find Aven standing directly behind them, his eyes staring at Alex with such unconcealed awe that she struggled not to fidget at his blatant perusal.

“Where have you been all day?” Niyx demanded, his voice filled with irritated concern.

“There was something I had to do,” Aven said vaguely, tearing his gaze from Alex to look at Niyx. “A last-minute festival matter of great importance. But I’m here now.”

Here he was, indeed; a striking vision of black and gold, wearing the colours of Royal House Dalmarta with pride, just like the rest of his family.

“I actually have a favour to ask of you, Niyx, if you don’t mind?” Aven said. “Aeylia, would you excuse us a moment? I promise, I’ll be right back.”

She nodded, perplexed as to his singular wording that implied he would be returning alone. Alex had to make a quick decision—either she ducked out and later offered an excuse for disappearing, or she accepted that this was one of the last moments she would ever spend on amicable terms with her future enemy. Regardless of how careful she knew she had to be around him, Alex wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the Aven of the past just yet. So she stayed put and patiently waited, staring out at the fading sunshine bathing the glorious city and its street-strewn partygoers.

“Sorry about that,” Aven said a few minutes later as he approached her again. “It should be a crime to leave someone as beautiful as you alone on an evening like this.”

Discomforted by his disturbingly sweet compliment, Alex said, “There’s plenty going on around here to keep me entertained.”

Aven gave a short laugh, looking down at the revellers celebrating up a storm. “It does appear that everyone is enjoying themselves.”

“You’ve done a fabulous job, Aven,” Alex said, her tone genuine. “You should be really proud of yourself.”

He waved aside her praise and jokingly said, “No one cares about what I did; they’re all just happy to be wearing such fine clothes.”

Alex felt her lips curl upwards, knowing that he was just being humble and realising how ridiculous that was.Thiswas why she wasn’t ready to end her time with him, because come tomorrow, humble Aven would be a thing of the past—literally.

“I have a surprise for you,” he said, his eyes bright. “But first, I want to—”

Whatever he wanted, Alex didn’t hear, because right then a deafening cheer rose from the ballroom as a troupe of performers began a choreographed aerial display that seemingly defied gravity. Like all the onlookers, Alex was hypnotised by their flowing movements and limbered stunts. It was only when she felt Aven’s gentle touch on her bare shoulder that she turned back to him, having forgotten that he’d been in the middle of speaking.

“Do you mind if we go somewhere quiet and talk?” he asked, speaking loudly over the increased music and applause. “It’ll only take a minute.”

She looked from him to the acrobats and back again, feeling torn. It had been one thing to wait for him on the balcony, but it was another entirely to leave the party with him.

“Please?” he said, seeing her indecision.

It was his vulnerable tone that got to her, prompting her to give a slight nod of agreement against her better judgement.

---