Page 135 of Riftborne
He led me to the longest table along the edge, only a few paces over from the raised dais where the King and Queen would be seated.
He arched an eyebrow before pulling out a chair and gesturing for me to sit down. I obliged, glancing down the length of the table. There was no one I recognized.
“I’ll return to you shortly. There’s something I have to take care of.” He planted a kiss on my forehead before sauntering off to the other side of the ballroom. My eyes followed him, wondering what exactly he was leaving to do. Just as I was about to look away, I saw a glimpse of blood-red hair.Anger pulsed through me as I saw him grab Narissa’s arm and lower his face to hers.
My control snapped like a frayed rope, and I stood, pushing my chair back as I turned and paced toward the two of them. I did my best to calm my expression, but my emotions were at an all-time high. Out of the corner of my eye, a black shape emerged, and my attention flew left, my heart stopping in my chest.
Relief washed over me once I realized it was the elaborate costume of a woman I had never seen before.
She was taller than me. With one of the most beautiful faces I had ever laid eyes upon. Her hair was clipped short. It wasn’t a style you saw often in Luminaria.And there was something about her skin… it was too perfect. Ethereal, haunting.
She wore a taxidermy raven on her shoulder and was dressed completely in drapes of black. My eyes scrunched, taking in the oddness of her attire. She made eye contact with me and tilted her chin to the side, narrowing her eyebrows. There was darkness surrounding her eyes… shadows. Like mine.Who was she?
She took a step in my direction, but a slice of copper hair slid into my peripherals, and I refocused myself. I would have to find her later. Right now, I had a Blood Clot to deal with. I straightened my dress before continuing on my way.
Poison ran through me as I took in just how close Narissa was to Laryk. I was tired of feeling her hateful glances at every encounter. We had yet to evenspeakto one another. This was ending. Tonight.
As I approached the two of them, I overheard the tail end of Laryk’s harsh whispers. “I told you to accompany the troops to Stormshire. You being here is in direct defiance of my orders.”
She spotted me, and her eyes turned cold, a cruel smirk forming on her lips.
“Fia, I told you I’d be back. Please give us a moment,” Laryk said, facing me.
“I thought it would be a good time to finally introduce myself. It’s Narissa, right?” I plastered on a smile. “It’s a wonder we haven’t spoken until now. It seems we have a lot of the same interests.”
I couldn’t tell if Laryk wanted to laugh or reprimand me, but the tension was thick and riddled with static. I calmed the familiar shiver that ran down my spine.
I didn’t need the translucent web to annihilate this bitch, I was going to do it with words.
“You speak ofmydirect defiance, but your pet is still standing here. Did you not just tell her to leave?” Narissa scowled.
“Ah, is this the infamousbest behavioryou were telling me about?” I asked, directing my question towards Laryk. “She sure seems the champion of camaraderie.”
Laryk’s jaw ticked as he turned to face Narissa. “If you plan tokeep your place as a lieutenant in my Faction, I suggest you stand down now.”
Anger flickered in Narissa’s eyes as she glared at Laryk, nostrils flaring. “So, you expect me to leave for Stormshire tonight?” she hissed.
“First thing in the morning. Until then, return to your chambers. I can’t allow your personal grievances to paint my faction in a bad light, especially at a time like this.”
“I’mpainting the faction in a bad light?” Rage echoed in her laughter, “You’re the one fucking a Riftborne. How do you think that looks?” She paused, “How do you think that makesmefeel? You know what they did to me. To my family.”
“Ahh, there it is. Glad to know you have such bigotry heading your faction,Laryk. That’s certainly a great look.” I crossed my arms, nodding toward Narissa. I was going to let her bury herself.
As his first name rolled off my tongue, her eyes lit up and she finally turned toward me. “That’s General Ashford to you, whore. All of you are the same,” she spat, moving her face close to mine. I smiled back at her, unmoving.
Laryk grabbed her arm and shoved her away from me. “Narissa. Go. Now. Before you really piss me off,” he growled. “I’ll have you shipped off to another base and demoted if you say another fucking word.”
Narissa’s eyes were still burning with anger, but I saw a flash of sadness wash over them. She looked back and forth between the two of us and paused, opening her mouth only to close it. She turned on her heel and bounded off toward the stairs. I could practically feel the heat coming off of her as she strode past.
“Fia. I told you to stay at the table,” Laryk said, placing a hand on my back and guiding me through the crowd once again.
“You know I’m not the best at following orders.” I shrugged, a smile still plastered on my face.
Laryk sighed. I could hear his eyes roll as we neared the table.
“She’s usually not that vicious,” he stated, pulling my chair out.
“I told you she thinks you’re together,” I said, sitting down. “And I know you’ve probably done things to lead her to that conclusion.” I felt a pang of nausea hit me. Is that what he was doing to me too? Could I be sure he hadn’t, at one point, told her she was important, that she was the key to winning this?
