Page 82 of Of Storm and Emerald
Oh my goddess. This is beautiful.
She stood in the doorway, looking out at the crystal blue water and white foam that formed on the peaks of the swells that built as they came barreling towards the shore.
“Piper!” she bellowed across the room.
Throwing the door to her room open, Piper leaned against the frame slightly out of breath. “What is it? Is everything ok?”
“Yes, of course. Did you see this view?!”
Piper stood upright and crossed her arms over her chest. A look of indignation marred her features. “Youdid notjust holler across the suite, sending me into a state of panic, I might add, all because you opened your damn window.”
Auraelia shrugged, a sheepish smile on her lips. “Sorry?”
Piper huffed in mock agitation. “To answer your question, yes, I have seen the view. It’s absolutely breathtaking. The ocean and mountains in one direction, and bright colors everywhere else. It’s like another world here.”
Auraelia nodded in agreement.
When a knock came on the door to the suite, the women exchanged a look of confusion.
“Maybe it’s lunch?” Piper supplied.
Shrugging her shoulders, Auraelia followed Piper out into the sitting area. Taking a seat on the settee while Piper crossed the room to open the doors.
“Good afternoon.” The words chimed through the room and seemed to belong to more than one person. The sweet melody from the tones were warm and inviting, pulling her from her spot on the couch.
Standing, she looked toward the door, where two gorgeous women stood. They were both tall with raven hair, their resemblance uncanny, and they were both dressed in stunning gowns. The younger of the two wore a dress the color of muddled berries that faded into a rich burgundy. It wrapped around her neck and had diamond shaped cut outs in the bodice–one between her breasts and the one on each side of her waist. And there was a slit up one side of the skirt that almost reached her hip.
The other woman wore something of a similar design, but it was slightly more modest with smaller, silver mesh lined, cutouts. It was the color of a saltwater pearl and was embellished with them as well. They were absolutely stunning.
“Won’t you please come in?” Piper offered as she stepped out of the way.
“Thank you,” the older of the two women said as they stepped into the space.
They looked familiar, like she’d met them before but couldn’t place them.
As she took in their features, the pieces began to fall into place.
Bright green and blue eyes shone behind long, thick lashes.
Dark raven colored hair, that took on a blue hue when under the lamp light.
And a smirk.
One that she knew like the back of her hand.
Fuck.
Desperately trying to keep her cool, she sank into a deep curtsy.
“Your Majesty.”
Auraelia watched as Piper’s eyes flitted back and forth between her and the strangers in the room and saw the moment everything clicked into place for her friend. An‘oh shit’expression briefly crossing her features before she, too, dropped into a curtsy.
The two women chuckled, and the older of the two clasped her hands together–Daemon’s tell-tale smirk still on her lips.
“Well, let’s get these introductions out of the way, shall we? I’m Queen Avyanna, but you seem to have pieced that together already. This is Daemon’s sister, Princess Yvaine.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both and thank you so much for inviting us to your celebration. I’ve heard it’s spectacular.” Nervous flutters traveled throughout Auraelia’s body, and she had to focus on her breathing to keep her anxiety in check.
