Page 36 of Unseen Eye
Her hands resume their work as she meets my eyes in the mirror. “I know this is a lot, Eva. But you’re stronger than you think. Just be yourself tonight. Everything will work out, one way or another.”
I take a deep breath, nodding. “I’ll try. But if I trip and fall on my face, I’m blaming you.”
“Deal,” Leigh says with a grin, finishing the last of the pins. “There, all done. You look beautiful.”
As I stand to face the mirror, I don’t recognize the woman staring back at me. I have never felt more beautiful in my life, nor have I ever been so overdressed. My only telling feature is the dark bruises under my eyes, which Leigh’s best efforts couldn’t completely hide.
Sensing what I’m looking at, Leigh comments, “I could try to add some more powder. That might help.”
“No, no it’s fine. When I fail out there, the bruises won’t matter when the king decides to make me an example.”
“Don’t be so dramatic,” Leigh says with a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
I nod, grateful for her words but unable to shake the feeling that tonight, I’ll be put on display, my every move scrutinized. And in a gown like this, there’s no hiding.
“Where exactly is the Abyss Gate in Astermiri?” I ask as we leave my bedroom, turning back to face Leigh.
Leigh’s expression turns serious. “I’m not sure if I’m the one you should be asking these questions. But it’s in a secluded area, heavily guarded. Its exact location is known only by a select few.” With that, she opens the door, also known as conversation over.
We walk through the palace halls, our footsteps echoing off the marble floors. The anticipation of the evening builds with each step. As we pass through the grand entrance, Leigh leaves me so she can confer with Baron, Garet, and Queen Isolda. I watch from a distance. Baron looks stern, as usual. Garet listensintently, his expression as unreadable as ever. The queen, a vision of elegance, glances my way and offers a kind smile. I return it, though my nerves flutter in my stomach like they’re training for a sprint.
Deciding to take a moment for myself, and with Emmet keeping his distance, I wander into the gardens, taking in the sights and sounds. The gardens are a tranquil oasis amid the bustling party. My fingers trail over the delicate petals of a blooming rose, and I take a deep breath, letting the fragrant air fill my lungs.
As I continue through the gardens, various groups of people are gathered in animated conversation. Nobles dressed in elegant attire stand under lantern-lit trees, their rich silks and velvets shimmering in the soft light. The women wear gowns adorned with intricate embroidery and jewels, their hair styled in elaborate updos. The men, in their finely tailored suits, hold themselves with regal airs, their laughter and conversations oozing confidence and sophistication.
Among the crowd, I notice individuals from different walks of life. Merchants in practical yet finely made clothing, craftsmen with calloused hands, and even a few adventurers with rugged appearances that contrast with the refined atmosphere of the event.
However, it’s the magical beings that truly capture my attention. Aethereal figures with gossamer wings shimmer in the lantern light, their delicate features and luminescent eyes are absolutely beautiful. They move with a grace that seems unreal, their laughter like the tinkling of bells. Across from them, a tall man catches my eye with silver hair and eyes that change color with every blink.
As I stroll further, something catches my eye—GNOMES? They do exist! A group of small, rotund figures with bushy beards and twinkling eyes, their faces animated in livelydiscussion. They wear vibrant, patchwork clothes, as colorful and whimsical as their personalities.
Rounding a corner, I stop short. Callon stands a few feet away, dressed all in black, his sharp silhouette casting a striking contrast against the lush surroundings. His bright blue eyes glisten against his dark attire, drawing my gaze and making it hard to look away. Despite everything Leigh has said about him, I can’t quite see him as the heartless soldier she describes. If anything, he looks like someone I’d read about in a story—untouchable, intense, yet somehow entirely present.
But he’s not alone. A woman is on his arm, her long, flowing hair cascading down her back and her red beautiful gown. They’re close, their heads bent together as they talk. Callon’s smile is warm, and the way his eyes crinkle when he laughs sends a pang of something painfully unfamiliar through me. Jealousy? I barely know him, yet here I am, feeling a sense of loss over someone who, by all accounts, isn’t mine to lose.
I take a small step back, steadying myself. The sight of his hand resting on her arm, the gentle way she looks at him—it feels like I’m intruding on something that was never meant for me.
Leigh’s voice breaks my trance. “There you are!” she says, a bit too loud, her voice carrying through the quiet of the gardens. “It’s time for dinner and the king’s speech.”
I tear my gaze away, cheeks burning as Callon and his companion look over, meeting my eyes. Callon’s expression is unreadable, though something glimmers in his eyes. Swallowing the embarrassment, I force a smile. “Right. Let’s go.”
As I turn to follow Leigh, I can’t help but glance back one last time. The woman beside Callon leans in, her voice just loud enough to reach my ears. “You knew she was there the entire time, didn’t you?”
His quiet response doesn’t carry, but the faintest curve of a smirk plays at the edge of his mouth as he glances my way onelast time. My heart skips, and I quickly face forward, willing myself to focus on anything but the way my pulse races with every step.
We arrive at the grand dining hall, packed with nobles and dignitaries. The scent of rich foods fills the air with the murmur of polite conversation. Leigh and I near our seats, and I scan the room, looking for familiar faces. Baron and Isolda are seated with Drystan, and what I’m assuming are the high-ranking officials, including a gnome, who nods in my direction. She’s small in stature, with a round, cheerful face framed by curly auburn hair that cascades down her back. Her eyes are a sparkling blue, full of mischief and warmth.
As we reach our table, which of course Garet is already seated at, I silently pray to any god that might be listening that the two empty seats across from me don’t end up occupied by who I suspect. But, of course, to my utter dismay, Callon and his guest claim those seats moments later. The gods are truly gone…
“My esteemed guests,” Baron begins. His voice is strong and commanding, laden with authority and a dash of theatrical flair.
“Tonight, we gather not only to celebrate the Lunar Eclipse, but to mark the dawn of a new era for our kingdom. The eclipse is a sacred event, observed for centuries in our land of Aetheria, and especially here in Astermiri. It symbolizes the unity of light and darkness, hope and fear, creation and destruction.”
He pauses, sweeping his gaze over the crowd, his expression as grave as a tombstone. “Historically, the eclipse has been seen as a powerful omen, a sign from the gods that significant change is upon us. It was during an eclipse that our ancestors first united the warring tribes of Aetheria, forging the kingdoms we know today. It’s a time of renewal and reflection, when we look to the heavens for guidance and prepare for the challenges ahead. A few days ago, we received a sign—a remarkable one—when Evangeline appeared here in Astermiri. Her arrival at thiscrucial time is no mere coincidence, but a harbinger of the great things to come.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. If I had a coin for every time someone tried to link my arrival with a grand prophecy, I’d be richer than Baron.
Murmurs ripple through the crowd, and I feel the weight of their collective attention. Baron continues, his tone filled with righteous conviction. “Evangeline’s presence among us is significant, a reminder of our destiny and the challenges we must overcome together. The eclipse tonight is more than a celestial event; it is a symbol of renewal and the triumph of light over darkness.”
