Page 94 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

Wiping her damp hands on a cloth, Emeriel looked exhausted already, but that familiar stubborn light shone in her eyes. "Certainly. I shall return shortly."

***

The sisters stepped out into the cool night, their lanterns glowing softly in their hands.

The sky above them was ablaze with drifting lights, the scent of roasted meats and sweet festival wines very much heavy in the air. Laughter and music came from the distance, weaving through the murmur of gathered crowds. A gentle breeze stirred the silk of their gowns, crisp and refreshing against their skin.

Everywhere, Urai was alive with celebration.

What Emeriel loved most about the Lantern Festival was the joy the air gathered. The thrill of dancing figures, the laughter of younglings. The way humans and Urekai mingled without division. The slaves moved freely, happy as they released their lanterns into the sky.

"It is so nice to be out here for this," Aekeira said, watching the lanterns drift upward. "This festival is one of the things I missed most about Urai."

"Me too." Emeriel tried to keep the queasiness from her voice. Her stomach was rebelling against her. The nausea in her belly would not budge.

She had felt drained all day despite doing nothing too strenuous. She had not trained, had not tended the garden, had not helped the slaves with their work, yet she wasexhausted.

And then there was the other thing.The colors.

They had begun appearing four days ago. Strange, unnamable hues shimmering around certain people.

Blends of elements she could not identify, shifting and warping in a way no natural color ever did. It only happened to a few. And yet, she saw them.

What colors were those? What did it mean? Emeriel had no idea.

A Urekai female laughed, darting through the crowd as a male chased after her, and the strange blend of colors pulsed around them, two different yet intertwining hues.

Emeriel tore her eyes away.I refuse to believe I am having vision problems at such a young age. I would need to confide in someone.

"Can you believe it has been eight months since we returned here?" Aekeira asked, breathing slightly heavier than before. "So much has changed…"

"Indeed," Emeriel mused. "I wonder if I will see Lord Herod tonight."

Aekeira glanced at her. "I'm sure he will be in the arena with the lords and nobility."

"I hope so," Emeriel glimpsed the towering archways marking the entrance to their destination. "Since his title was taken, he rarely associates with the rest of them."

"When do you plan to speak with the grand king about him?" Aekeira asked as they turned a corner. "Who knows? You may be able to convince your male to lift the ban and restore his position."

"It has been on my mind," Emeriel admitted. "I do intend to speak with Daemon, but… he has so much on his plate right now. It’s been holding me back. I’m simply waiting for the right moment."

"Em? Do you need to stop and rest?" Aekeira asked abruptly, looking at her closely. "You seem quite exhausted. And you are breathing heavily."

Shit, she was.So tired.

"I am truly fine, Keira. You worry needlessly." Emeriel forced a smile.

Before Aekeira could argue, Emeriel used her kerchief to dab away the sweat on her sister’s brow. "But if you are the one who needs to stop, then let us rest for your sake."

Aekeira flushed, but there was no mistaking the fatigue in her posture.

Emeriel felt warm inside for her. "Oh Keira, it's nothing to be ashamed of. I have been reading about pregnancy, a Urekai child is highly demanding on the body."

"I know, thanks Em." She smiled, blowing air from her mouth. "But we are nearly at the arena, we may as well finish the journey."

So, Emeriel intertwined their hands, leading her.

The air here felt different in the secluded arena reserved for the high-borns. Refined. Exclusive.

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