Page 48 of Where We Belong

“Why the hell would you—”

A pointed throat clearing behind me cuts off my next question and my cheeks burn as I realise I might’ve been louder than I thought. “Just pay attention, please, or pretend.” Aiden’s eye twitches as he straightens in his seat and I refocus on the couple holding a smooth crystal between their joint hands.

“You will be to each other what the mind is to the soul. What blood is to a heart. What an anchor is to a ship and what The Creed is to Sheyole.” The officiant takes the crystal and hands it to the first person in my row of seats.

“Just do what everyone else does,” Aiden whispers, moving his leg out of the way when my knee bumps his, “but do not use magic.”

Each person closes their eyes for a few seconds, then passes the crystal to the next person, who does the same thing. Aiden shoots me a warning look as he passes it to me. I close my eyes, trying not to notice how everyone’s watching me, how the Volker edge a little closer to the perimeter. The damn thing buzzes in my hand like it’s alive, magic crawls up my fingers toward my chest. Nope. I chuck it to the King’s advisor beside me faster than magic. Once it’s made its way around, it’s handed back to the officiant, who says a blessing. I jump as a brilliant beam of light emits from it, followed by a kiss between the pair. The officiant’s voice rises over the cheers, “Now, let the festivities begin!”

Waiters weave through the throngs with gold trays of appetisers. Females queue in droves, each hoping for their turn with the Prince. Aiden is charming. Magnetic. Spinning each partner across the floor with a gorgeous smile and a grace that leaves them giddy. They swoon, sigh, and practically melt when he pulls their hands to his lips to kiss the insides of their wrists before bowing, dark curls falling across his forehead, green eyes ablaze. They immediately run to the back of the ever-growing line for another turn, whispering theories behind their fans about who his betrothed will be. Watching from the corner, I pretend I’m not on the lookout for Kaed when a stunning, curvy female on my uncle’s arm and a slim male on his other side peel away from the crowd.

“Ashley, please meet Nefret and Fareese, leaders of Ember Court.”

Fareese takes my hand like he’s inspecting a rare jewel. He lifts it to his thin lips. And sniffs.

Then practically growls, onyx eyes half-lidded. “So, this is what the blood of God bait smells like. Ravishing. But—” He inhales again, and his mouth turns down. “My, my, my. What is that?”

His beady eyes shift to Nefret then slide down my body, resting on my breasts and something violent flares in response. I snatch my hand back, wiping it on the back of my dress. Nefret giggles before curtseying. “Forgive my husband. He becomes infatuated with anything beautiful, and you, certainly qualify.” Her black, beaded bracelets rattle as she reaches into a silk pouch. “We bring a gift. This should have been presented at your birth, but there is no time like the present, as King Aeron always says.”

They grin fondly at each other, though my uncle’s brows knit together as she places a small blue gem in my hand. It’s like the whole ocean is inside it. And it’s whispering something, a breath tickling my palm.

“That is… no small gift.” The King says.

Nefret smiles, twirling a strand of her blunt bob between her fingers. “It captures the attention of the gods. Most precious. It can only be used once.”

“Ah, Fareese, Nefret,” My head whips around so fast my neck almost snaps. For a second, my heart feels like it’s diving off a cliff. It isn’t Theron. But the resemblance is eerie. Those same shock blue eyes that feel like they’re reading your search history. He clasps Fareese’s hand warmly, kisses Nefret’s knuckles, then bows to my uncle and me. Behind him, a female in a long black gown follows. Her face so still, it’s like it’s unplugged.

“I am Wren. Allow me to introduce my wife, Arita. We are deeply sorry for our nephew’s actions. He was always a troubled child. Oh, are we doing gifts already?” He says brightly, snapping his pale fingers. Arita, who does not blink, or even breathe, it seems, produces a thin square of silver, no bigger than a playing card.

“Memory metal,” Wren explains. “This one has three uses.” He gives Fareese a pointed look like they’re sharing an inside joke and they bow in unison before melting back into the crowd.

“Are you alright?” My uncle says.

I force a nod, the metal and the gem feeling strange in my hand. Hot and Cold. His eyes widen slightly as they rest on something behind me. The leaders of Ashen Reach and Cinder Cliffs. There are special wards around the palace today, dulling magic in case anyone gets too drunk. Apparently, these festivities can get a little rowdy when the Core dims. And a good thing too, because my magic clangs on the bars of its cage. Eira had explained that the twins who’ve ruled Cinder, the land of scholars and libraries, for centuries, Turned way before they hit their teens. So now I’m staring down at two very small, very pale leaders clothed in matching purple tunics. I take a deep breath. If I want to get through this, then I have to act the part. They scan the floor, stepping carefully around cracks. I remember playing a similar game as a kid, walking the pavements in London.

“I trust you are feeling well, your Highness,” the boy-male says. I remind myself not to speak to them like kids, even though their voices are unmistakably childlike and deeply confusing for my brain. His eyes flick past me, to Nefret and Fareese in the distance. Nefret tosses her head back, laughing loudly while openly admiring Aiden. There’s something I don’t like about it. Protectiveness rises in my stomach, and no, I don’t know why. The Prince can more than handle himself.

“Yes, thank you,” I say politely, trying to fight the instinct to crouch to their height. Or to kick them.

“Good.” He nods once. “I am Xalan, and this is my sister, Hunah.”

As the evil twins exchange pleasantries with my uncle, something spreads through my mind like warm water. A presence. I glance around quickly. Can anyone else hear this? Hunah appears engaged in conversation, but the voice is definitely female and childlike.

Our Princess, I am sorry to invade like this. We wished to speak with you alone today, but it does not seem there will be a chance for that. So, I will say this quickly. You must not believe everything you hear; we are not hoarders of knowledge, nor haughty and pompous. We are protectors. Preservers. We asked only that you retrieve the ritual knowledge, hoping it would earn your release. And the Captains. We are devastated at what you endured. Though our request still stands.

Just as quickly as it came, my mind is my own again. How the hell did she do that? I’ve never been violated like that before in my life. My mind is a mess as it is. I don’t need anyone rooting around in there. But her words, they’ve softened something in me. It seems obvious now that I would have to be free to go to their lands. It should have forced Theron to let me go. But she could have easily told the King, Aiden, Nyk, anyone that was their plan all along. So why didn’t they? My endless questions are interrupted by two women holding hands, dressed in layers of orange fabric. They must have been in their sixties when they Turned. Bold, bright tattoos wind up their arms and spill across their chests. Between them, they have more piercings than I can count. One has long dark hair like Lili’s, and the other, strawberry blonde, has hers in the cutest cropped pixie.

“Mari and Summer,” Hunah introduces.

Summer gives me a firm handshake and waves at me with the other. Mari immediately bumps her with her hip, long hair swishing. “What are you doing?” She hisses.

Summer looks mortified, pointing quickly at the Cinder twins. “They told me this is how they say hello.”

Xalan and Hunah roll their eyes at the same time. I think it’s meant to be a scathing glare, but they are literally ten, so it doesn’t quite have the desired effect. I try not to giggle, I’m not sure how that would go down.

“Wrong context, Summer,” Hunah says gently.

Summer widens her eyes and bows quickly. “We are delighted to meet you. Please forgive me.”