Page 128 of Of Storm and Emerald
“Mother. Father. I hope that your journey was pleasant.” His tone was cold and detached. Though he could feel his mother’s saddened eyes boring into the side of his face, he kept his expression flat and emotionless.
His father’s annoyance came off him in waves, but Daemon did his best not to react, while also refusing to meet their gaze. Instead, he looked around as the crew of the ship scurried about, finishing up their duties and carrying all of their belongings down the gangplank.
They’d spent the last three months either tiptoeing around him, or avoiding him completely.
He’d had enough, and he wasn’t going to stand there and smile and pretend that everything was okay between them when it was quite clear that the opposite was true.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his father scowl and open his mouth to say something.
Turning, Daemon squared his shoulders in anticipation of the impending argument, but as his father began to speak, his mother gripped her husband's elbow and sent him a warning glance.
Instantly, King Evander’s rage was doused, and he hung his head.
Pulling his arm from his wife’s grasp, he stormed down the gangplank.
When his father was halfway down the dock his mother stepped up to his side and looped her arm through his.
“You’re not going to tell me anything about whatever it is that’s going on with you two, are you?” Daemon’s tone dripped with frustration, but also acceptance.
Queen Avyanna squeezed his bicep gently, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw her face drop. But when he turned to her, meeting her gaze head on for the first time since they arrived, she plastered a fake smile on her face that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “There’s nothing to tell, my son.” Her tone grated against his nerves. It was the same tone one would use to placate a child.
He sighed in exasperation and shook his head in defeat. He was tired of fighting with them over this. Tired of trying to force answers that they weren’t willing to give.
“Whatever you say, Mother.”
And with that, he guided her down the gangplank and to the waiting carriage at the end of the dock.
Chapter Forty-Two
Auraelia
Therestofherday was spent either in last minute fittings for her gown or running around to lend a helping hand with final touches for the celebration the next day. So, by the time evening rolled around, standing in the throne room welcoming every lord and lady throughout Ixora wasnotwhat Auraelia considered a good time.
She was tired and hungry, and if she drank anymore of the wine being passed around, her night would not end well.
The throne room was large and airy and had multiple sets of double doors that led into the main hall of the castle. On the far side of the room was a wall of windows that perfectly framed the dais and the two rarely used thrones that sat upon it.
They were carved from the original emerald mines on which the court had been founded, and mostly consisted of the dark gray stone that surrounded the brilliant green gems. But when the sun set, and the last rays of light shone through the windows behind the dais, it illuminated the shards of emerald that poked through to the surface.
Hours went by, and Daemon and his parents still hadn’t arrived at court. The anticipation had her nerves prickling beneath her skin and made her stomach churn–especially since every other representative had arrived already.
Lady Aesira and Lord Arlo arrived the previous day, so they were the first to be announced. They were followed by Lady Orna and Lady Blyana from the Court of Topaz, Lord Kaemon and Lady Levena from the Court of Pearl, and many other nobles and their families from throughout Ixora.
She stood off to the side of the dais with Piper, deep in conversation with the Ladies from Topaz about the upcoming festivities, when there was the sharp rap against the floor that signaled the arrival of another dignitary to court.
Auraelia held her breath and counted each strike of the staff as it crashed against the floor with a resoundingboom.
One.
A single pound of the staff meant nobility, but no one of extreme importance.
Two.
Two, was for the leaders of each court who were not royalty.
With each strike of the staff, the sound rang out and seemed to hang heavily in the air. As the pause after the second strike lingered, Auraelia felt her heart sink.
Then finally,three.
