Page 3 of Riftborne
As the General stepped onto the dais and turned, an electric current rushed through the Grove. Every single eye was on him. And to my unfortunate surprise, I could now see why.
Flowing copper hair fell in waves over his shoulders, like shimmering curtains over his porcelain skin. Even from my vantage point, his sharp features were prominent. All the way down to the scar that marked his right eye and cheek.
He was taller than most Aossí, and his lean frame couldn’t be ignored, even behind the layers of his Guard uniform.
“Wow.” Osta’s painted pink mouth parted in awe.
I don’t know how I expected our most celebrated General to look, but it certainly wasn’t like this.
As much as I wanted to feign indifference, there was no denying how breathtaking the man was. If you were into pompous jerks with inferiority complexes, of course.
Anyone who joined The Guard these days was doing so in the hopes of climbing to an elite position. On the Isle of Sídhe, ascending to a high rank in the Guard granted instant entry to the exclusive circle of the Noble class and practically guaranteed a family's legacy for generations to come. They were all one in the same at that point–the Elite, whether they were born or bred. Nobility or Guard. Even better if they were both.
Outside of status, the Guard didn’t seem to serve any real purpose.
It had been years since Sídhe faced a foreign threat, and you certainly weren’t going to find any resistance from within thekingdom. War was a far thought, a solved problem of the past, if our educators were to be believed. It did make one wonder why we needed a military this massive and all-encompassing.
The General smiled down at his adoring fans and I wondered if anyone would beluckyenough to win his attention. Maybe a few of them would have the pleasure of his company tonight.
The party already hummed with sensual tension—it hung thick and oppressive in the air like a perfume you couldn’t escape.
The General turned, facing the crowd of hundreds, an obnoxiously charming smile sprawled across his face. His gaze sauntered across the space until his eyes met mine, and he paused. The air seemed to go silent around me.
There was something intense and unwavering in his expression, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. It felt like he could see right through me. I was going to burn up under the scrutiny—I needed to look away. But I was frozen solid; I couldn’t even blink.
Lucky for me, after a few seconds, his eyes moved on, and the raging crowd came crashing back in. People were losing their absolute fucking minds over this man.
Perhaps I was starting to understand the hype.
My chest lurched, and I sucked in a gasp of summer air.
“Should we try to get closer?” Osta sang. It seemed even on the tips of her toes, the view was dismal. “I want to give the Queen a chance to see my design!”
“I’m not sure that’s such a great idea. In my current state of attire… they’d probably take it as an insult if I got that close to the throne.” I pulled at the sleeve of my stained blouse. She looked at me and bit her lip.
The dark truth of my apprehension sat on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t say it. Not here.
“Well... just let me do my loop and promise me we can have at least one drink before you head back to the apartment.”
I weighed the options quickly but came to the same conclusion as always: keep it hidden.
I could survive a little longer.
“Ok, I promise. I’ll just wander around… and blend in as much as possible,” I murmured, but my skin began to prickle. The surge ran through me once again and I held back a wince, biting my lip so hard I nearly drew blood.
“Come find me when you’re done with your presentation. But please don’t take too long,” I motioned for her to go, but she paused, bringing her eyes up to meet mine. Her face twisted as she inspected me.
“Fia… are you okay? Your eyes seem darker than usual. Have you been sleeping?” she whispered, leaning in closer. “More night terrors?”
“I’m fine, Osta. It’s just been a long day. Now go show off your dress.” I hid my shaking hands behind my back.
Her smile returned and she nodded, disappearing into the crowd. I didn’t want to disappoint her, but after the week I’d had… I could feel the edges of my control slipping away by the minute. And it was dangerous for both of us to be anywhere near here, even if she didn’t share my fears.
Osta, a fellow Riftborne, was one of the few left in the city. Across the Isle, our numbers had dwindled to a mere handful, barely a few hundred. The devastation in Riftdremar had claimed most Riftborne children already, and those who had been brought to Sídhe seemed to vanish year after year.
But somehow, through everything, Osta always remained positive. She navigated the divide much easier than I did. She could walk down the street with her sleeves casually tugged down, blending in. At least in the beginning - long enough for people to develop a sense of comfort before realizing what she was.
As soon as Osta was out of sight, I made my way to the outskirts of the party once again. A few lingering stares followed me, and a chill ran up my spine.
