Page 50 of Between Earth and Eternity
“I keep the hope that I will see my brother soon. You have Elliot and your family. That is something that can never be taken away from you.” We sit in silence for a moment, sniffling and wiping away the tears.
I never want to excuse my selfishness for naivety or my innocence for ignorance. I have believed for so long that love makes me weak, but Ori has been teaching me that it makes us stronger. Love goes far beyond the walls of my heart; it is a force that can’t change with distance or condition.
“Thank you for saying that and for being my friend,” I say.
“No, thank you, Skyler. Most people would have probably ignored me, but not you. You didn’t care that I was some poor girl from the border.”
My friendship with Ori truly is a gift, but as full as my heart is with how much I have come to care for her, I also can’t stop thinking about the best friend I left behind. I wonder what Elliot is doing at this very moment. Has he found someone to fill the space I once stood in? I may have made room for Ori, but Elliot has been planted in my soul for so long, he could never be replaced. I press my fingers into the charm still dangling on my wrist, hoping that he hasn’t taken his off either.
“Okay, enough of that. Let’s get this over with, shall we?” I shoot up from the bed and hold my hand out for her. She takes it, smiling wide. “There has to be something in this closet that will work.”
I curled Ori’s hair and happily gave her one of my last remaining tubes of mascara. She looks beautiful in a flowy blue skirt. We tighten the waist with a belt and tuck in her shirt so it looks like a crop top. I opt for a black tank top dress paired with a long necklace and twist my hair into a half-up style. I like what we came up with, a perfect blend of casual but put together without being over the top. We’ll save that for the gala, as much as it pains me to plan for it already.
We are some of the last to arrive at the meeting point, and as soon as he spots us, Laz catcalls in our direction, drawing more people to look our way and causing Ori to bury her face in her hands. Laz and his loud mouth never fail to rise to the occasion.
“You two look great.” He grabs Ori’s hand, and she spins like they’re back on the dance floor. Her skirt fans out in a perfect blue wave as she twirls a couple more times to show off the full effect.
“This is all, Skyler,” she exclaims proudly. “I would have been so lost without her help.”
Payson bashfully gives me a once-over. “You do look great.”
“Thanks. So do you.” His blue eyes light up at the compliment. And it’s true, he and Laz both cleaned up nicely in collared shirts and slacks.
Even Runa is dressed up tonight in a fancier version of her uniform with silver buttons on her jacket that is a darker shade of blue from her everyday attire. It goes perfectly with her gray hair and alabaster skin.
She leads us through several tube changes until we arrive at a breathtaking dining hall that seems to be made entirely of glass.The floors, ceiling, and even the massive table in the middle of the room are smooth and hard as light reflects off every surface. With the starlight beyond and the lighting in the hall, everything is coated in a celestial glow, and it’s hard not to stand in awe. Maybe we are underdressed for this afterall. I swallow nervously but do my best to pretend I’m not wearing a plain cotton dress to a table fit for a royal reception.
The table is set for at least forty people, and we find our seats labeled with place cards. Thankfully, Ori and I are assigned next to each other, but Payson and Laz are several seats down from us. Romy is on the other end, eyeing the enticing desserts in the middle of the table. Seems like she might have a sweet tooth, which could help me with the check-ins Runa requested. If I come bearing treats, it will give me plenty of reasons to stop by.
There are four seats at the head of the table, slightly larger than and raised above the others, and it’s not hard to guess who they’re meant for. I promise myself not to get caught up in a pair of hazel irises tonight. There will be plenty to keep my focus elsewhere.
More people file into the dining hall, including Captain Carter and Steward Osman, but when Kol and his father enter the room, I do everything I can to not give them any attention.
“He’s relentless, isn’t he?” Ori asks, leaning over to whisper. I don’t have to ask who she means. Kol hasn’t stopped staring since he entered the room. “Payson doesn’t look too happy about it either.”
I peer down the table, and sure enough, Pace is throwing eye daggers. I smile, biting my lip to keep from laughing. I’ll thank him for that later.
Suddenly, a hush falls over the room as the Mannoxes make their grand entrance. Mrs. Mannox has her arm gracefully draped over her husband’s. She wears a simple dress, much like the last time I saw her, but still showcases flashy jewelry on herneck, wrists, and ears. Behind them is Vallen. I do my best to get a quick peek of him as he glides through the room. Luckily, he walks down the other side of the table, so I’m able to strategically hide behind the large centerpieces. He wears a dark green jacket cut in a longer, stylish length that hangs past his knees, slightly flowing behind him as he walks with matching pants and a black button-up shirt that naturally has a few buttons loose near the top. The emerald shade is the exact color of green that lies in his hazel eyes.
Don’t think about his eyes, Skyler, I warn myself.
Slade brings up the rear in another atrocious blazer-and-pants combo that is begging for attention, made of a yellow-and-orange design.
“Welcome, friends.” Alister Mannox remains standing to address the room. “Now that the journey to Eden is well underway, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate.”
The room begins to clap, and I begrudgingly join. It’s not as easy to blend into the crowd in this setting.
“And we welcome the Lottery winners this evening.”
More applause as the other guests give us polite smiles that screamif they must join us, then we suppose we can clap to that.
“Steward Runa.” She steps forward, separating herself from the other stewards lining the wall. “Steward Hall tells me everyone under your care has fallen into a good rhythm. Is that true?” She looks to Osman as if to request approval to speak, and he nods.
“Yes, sir. They seem to be enjoying their time on Zenith.” A few others nod.
“I must admit, I wasn’t sure about opening the Lottery for the first crossing, but after the suggestion from my son”—he gestures to Vallen—“I can see it was a good call.”
Wait. What?
