Page 29 of Her Ivory Flame

Silence blanketed the entire room, heads turning to see her walk down the entry steps with both males in tow. She kept her head high and kept reminding herself she was a queen in technicality, even if she didn’t feel like it.

Emris rose from his smaller throne at the other end of the room, the mass of people moving to make a path towards him. She did not look around, only catching glimpses out of the corner of her eye of the people staring in disbelief. She had no doubt her outfit was just as shocking as her return from the dead.

Fae culture was more conservative, barely showing skin and very basic colors were the style to wear. Her wearing a revealing bright dress was something that would be talked about for weeks, if not years.

“Welcome Alyra,” Emris’s voice cut through the silence, his blue wings spread out in full view. “Come, join me.”

They had gotten to the bottom of the dais his throne was on and he reached his hand down to her.

Silas squeezed her arm in assurance before both him and Kaden stepped back. Hesitantly she reached for Emris, her skin barely touching him and he helped her up the small set of steps until she was next to him. As soon as she could, she pulled her hand away, nausea almost spiking.

“Esteemed and honored guests, I’m sure this comes as a surprise to you that we are joined by a princess we thought had been slain in battle long ago,” his voice carried across the crowd, people mumbling to each other as they stared.

Kaden and Silas stood at the foot of the stairs, their hands resting behind their backs and face towards the crowd.

“I can assure you, this is not a ruse or any type of deception. This is Alyra, and she has agreed to join us against Mavros once again.” Emris glanced at her with a smirk on his face. “Please, say a few words to the people you have agreed to protect.”

She swallowed hard, Silas shifting on his feet in front of her sensing her stress.

“Thank you, King Emris.” She nodded to him before stepping to the edge of the dais. “My people are gone, and I am the only living Valkyrie bloodline left.” She noticed Kaden flinched out of the corner of her eye but kept talking. “As you are aware, I’m also the only union of Fae and Valkyrie known to this world. I have come out of hiding to help with this war we are now facing that involves the same enemy that wiped out my people. I will do whatever I can to make sure Mavros does not succeed in his effort to wipe Ambros from existence. I would not wish that on anyone.” She glanced towards Emris, Declan standing next to him with eyes on her. She sighed again and looked back towards the mass of people listening intently to her. “Please, enjoy your night and let the world know the Valkyrie princess is alive and well.”

Applause erupted from the people as she stepped down, both Kaden and Silas holding their hands out to her.

“Breathe.” both males said simultaneously.

She did as she was told and walked with them across the room, the guests going back to their dancing and social interaction.

“You did great.” Silas whispered as they made their way to a spot along the wall.

Kaden nodded in agreement before letting her go and turned to watch the crowd with his normal impassive look. There were many eyes on her, some she could tell were friendly, others she was unsure of. Both of her guards kept their eyes out, but she could already feel anxiety flooding into her and needed to do something even though they just arrived at their spot.

“Let’s dance,” she asked quickly, her nerves needing a way to calm themselves.

“Of course.” Silas nodded to Kaden who kept watch on them as they entered the dance floor.

“Take a deep breath Alyra, you are ok.” Silas whispered as he grabbed her around her waist, his hand gliding along her bare back. It was an instant sense of relief that shivered up her spine at his touch, his other hand holding onto hers as he spun her around. It had been a long time since she danced and realized she was a bit rusty. “I got you.” He grinned as she tripped on his foot and her face turned red.

She could only let out a small laugh before they started again, his body guiding her effortlessly. Her face was only a foot from his, her eyes not leaving his for a long moment.

“Silas,” she whispered, the music drowning out the noise around them. “I know I tell you this all the time, but thank you for everything.”

“Alyra.” He cleared his throat, nervous tension radiating off him. “I would do anything for you, you know that right? Anything to help you get your power back.”

She nodded her head with a nervous smile, their bodies floating around the dance floor to the music playing around them. “I know,” she whispered.

His hand on her back gently tightened pulling her closer so she was completely against him, their faces now only inches from one another. There was only a small moment she felt anxious with that type of contact, odd for her to react to him but she shook it off and watched his eyes scan her face.

She could feel her breath catch and heart speed up. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to take this plunge with him, her guilt still eating at her at the thought of it.

The song suddenly ended and the crowd started to clap at the musicians playing, her and Silas separating but tension still hovering between them.

“Alyra,” Declan's voice sounded from the side as he approached. “Mind if I havethe next dance?”

Silas nodded to her and started walking towards the opposite wall Kaden had been stationed at in an attempt to survey more of the room.

She took a deep breath trying to shake off whatever just happened between her and Silas before grabbing Declan's outstretched hand tentatively. She was going to have to get used to contact if she was going to heal, and this would be a good test.. He pulled her in close as the music started, his body making her slightly uncomfortable and she fought the nausea that started to creep up.

“You look beautiful,” he said, his tone seeming sincere. “I always loved you in your traditional attire. I remember when we used to dance under the stars every year on Sigrblót after lighting the bonfire?”