Page 148 of Rift
Three hundred pairs of eyes turned at once to the top of the grand staircase in the center of the room. Lunelle’s sparkling cosmic gown painted her an angel as she descended into the crowd. Her heart soared as she caught Mirquios beaming, and then plunged to the depths of the sea when Arcas stood at the base of the steps, his cerulean arm offered to her.
“Steady,” Astra whispered as Mirquios’s body lit in enraged flames. “You can do anything for one dance.”
He didn’t respond, but his grip on her hand loosened slightly. Lunelle and Arcas swept across the dance floor, sparkling stars floating off her gown and slipping through the air in a meteor shower.
As they turned about the room, the strings of the orchestra swelled with the same heightened anxiety Astra felt in her heart.
When exactly is Selenia supposed to join us? Lunelle beamed, her voice fraught with the tension running through her spine as she carried herself and Arcas across the floor.
We didn’t set an exact time. You can do this.
We may not even have to rely on her. I think Mirq’s glare might vaporize Arcas and solve the problem for us.
Astra smirked. And that’s with my attempts to calm him.
I only hope you find a love like this one day, Astra.
One day.
She could tell her. Lunelle had trusted her with her deepest secret. But something stopped Astra, a gut feeling she couldn’t quite place. It wasn’t the same with them. Lunelle and Mirquios certainly had bad luck, but they weren’t forbidden in the all-powerful-gods-will-kill-them-for-touching sense.
“You two should join them.” Oestera appeared behind Mirquios, shooing the pair toward the dance floor.
Mirquios held her hand high as he bowed his head and searched for the rhythm to step in time with the orchestra. His hand rested on the small of her back as he spun her in a delicate arc.
Tell the king to watch that hand. Lux’s voice rumbled through her mind like a late Summer rain. She searched for him as they rocked back and forth, Mirq spinning her out and back in.
She caught Lux just behind the crowd, watching them closely. He smiled from his station against one of the pillars coated in moonblossoms, arms folded across his chest as other couples flooded the floor.
She caught his eyes. You could cut in. It wouldn’t be so odd, would it? You’re a leader of my soon-to-be court.
Lux scoffed, she couldn’t hear him across the ballroom but she could see his eyes crinkle. That blush of yours would give us away in an instant. And even if you could control yourself around me, I’m not sure I could do the same.
“I’d love if you two could at least keep your drooling behind closed doors,” Mirquios muttered.
She threw her head back and laughed. “I’m so sorry!”
“Mmhmm,” he grumbled, dipping Astra low. As her head fell back, she saw a whip of white gauze parting the sea of courtiers. A rush of whispers around the room followed the shift of energy at the edge of the crowd—brilliant swaths of red and blue swirled through their chests.
“Shit,” Mirq hissed, pulling her back up as Selenia stood at the edge of the dance floor, her hands on her hips. “Showtime.”
Oestera cut across the ballroom as dancers froze, their eyes trained on the ethereal goddess soaking up every drop of light in the room.
“Lunelle,” Selenia cooed, her voice dripping with honey and venom. Her hands outstretched to cup Lunelle’s chin, placing a soft kiss on each cheek.
“Grandmother.” Lunelle bowed, her tiara glinting in the moonlight above.
“What an exciting celebration!” Selenia announced, her voice taking over the orchestra as the strings cut to an abrupt stop.
She cast a stare at Oestera, ice in her eyes. “No need to stop on my account! I’m merely here to deliver a message on behalf of the Court Above.” Oestera stopped dead in her tracks and Arcas searched for her, his eyes narrowing as Selenia began speaking again.
“We’ve been waiting with bated breath to see who our champions will be, but it seems my daughter has failed to provide much competition for your hand, my dear girl.” Selenia held Lunelle’s silver-gloved hand, squeezing it to make a point.
Whatever color might exist within her mother’s heart drained.
Selenia continued, “We try not to involve ourselves unless absolutely necessary, of course, but that time has come.”
Oestera maintained a perfect mask of composure as her heart raged.
