Page 20 of All the Chaos of Constellations
“Solarius.” Her mother’s prim voice cut through the air. “Take your sister upstairs and ensure she’s presentable for the opening of the Season. The rest of us will leave for the palace. We don’t want to be late for the lifting of the Veil, and we’ll meet the two of you there once Novalise is ready to attend.”
Solarius bowed. “As you wish, Mother.”
Ariesian stalked off without a backward glance while their mother followed closely behind, shaking her head and murmuring to herself until their footfalls faded completely.
Novalise climbed the stairs to her room, careful to avoid eye contact with any passing servants. But her gaze snagged on Solarius.
“Do you think he’s mad at me?” she asked, stealing a look at him from beneath her damp tresses. “I know there’s a considerable weight upon his shoulders and I feel like I’ve only added to it, what with my blunder of a reading and now having to find a husband.”
“Mad at you? Never.” Solarius shook his head and wisps of silver hair fell across his brow. “Ariesian is under considerable stress, yes, but not because of you. If anything, I think he’s more agitated with himself for not preparing for every possible outcome. We all foolishly assumed the reading would foretell your mate, especially since you were originally promised everlasting love at your birth. Now it’s Ariesian’s duty to find you a potential match and if I know anything, it’s that the well-being and happiness of a most beloved younger sister is not something he takes lightly.”
Novalise paused in the corridor, a few feet from her bedroom. “He’s worried I’ll be unhappy?”
Solarius strode past her and opened the door, gesturing for her to enter. “He’s worried he’ll be the one at fault for making you unhappy. It’s an important task, marrying you off. I imagine most older brothers would only care about the impending benefits like trade, fortified alliances, and things of that nature. But Ariesian is not like most. He cares foryou.”
“Because I was promised a love match.”
Her brother simply flashed another boyish smile and said nothing. She stepped into the room where a new gown and shoes were already waiting for her.
“Freshen up and dress quickly.” Solarius nodded toward the bathing suite. “I’ll wait for you downstairs and then we’ll ride to the palace together.”
Novalise scrubbed herself clean in the copper basin and when she finished, two maids were already waiting to help her dress. The gown was navy blue and strapless with a fitted bodice that cut to her waist. From there, the skirts ballooned out into puffy layers of periwinkle silk and a train of shimmering lace overlay trailed behind her. It was excessive and ostentatious, undoubtedly the work of her mother. The maids pulled her thick hair into place, braiding it off her shoulders, then pinning it into place with hairpins of moonstone and pearls. They helped her into a pair of heels that pinched her toes, and when she finally ventured back downstairs, Solarius was there waiting for her. Exactly as he promised.
“Sister.” He tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. “How is it possible for you to look even lovelier than ever?”
She let her head fall onto his shoulder. “Dare I say magic?”
He grinned, then led her out the front entrance of the house to where a carriage was out front, waiting to take them away to Queen Elowyn’s palace.
The pair of winged stallions stomped at the earth, tossing their heads with impatience. Their midnight coats glistened like onyx as they stretched their wings. The Eponians were a gift to every house from the Skyhelm fae of House Galefell, since no faeries within Aeramere had wings of their own. Though Novalise had heard stories about fae in other realms possessing wings, she wasn’t entirely certain if it was true. Not even the Skyhelm fae had been gifted with the blessing of flight, though their command of the wind and skies lent them quite the advantage.
Solarius helped her into the carriage, and she slid onto the sleek leather cushion as he took the seat across from her. Once the door was securely closed, there was a rumbling like the call of thunder, and the Eponians took to the night sky. The ground vanished from beneath them, giving way to moonlit clouds and mountain peaks. Novalise peered out the window as the landscape shifted from the twinkling illumination of Celestine to the rich, jewel tones of Emberspire’s city. Novalise had heard stories about waterfalls and faerie pools located deep within the surrounding lush forest.
Her heart twinged within the tight walls of her chest at the sight.
More than anything, she hoped the fates would be on her side for the remainder of the night. She didn’t want to see Lord Firebane again. She didn’t want to feel the constant pull to him, she didn’t want to suffer through the persistent longing to be near him. It was positively excruciating. Maybe it was good for her to attend the start of the Season. Perhaps Ariesian would find her a mate tonight, someone who wouldn’t discard her like she was nothing more than a thorn in his side. Certainly, a love match would be strong enough to sever the futile bond between herself and Lord Firebane.
She never should’ve kissed him on Winter Solstice beneath Caelian’s enchanted mistletoe.
Solarius leaned forward in the seat across from her, resting his elbows on his knees. “Are you sure you’re okay? I can ask the coachman to turn us around.”
Novalise almost told him, she almost opened her mouth and told him that no, she would never be okay because Asher, her mate, had rejected her. She sucked her bottom lip under her teeth to keep it from trembling, to keep from telling her brother the one thing she was destined for would never belong to her.
Instead, she offered him one of her best, most practiced smiles. “I’ll be fine. Thank you, Sol.”
A line formed across his brow, as though he didn’t believe her. But then he leaned back and pressed the subject no further.
Glancing out the window once more, Novalise dared to look up at the sky. It was the same as before. Shooting stars, hazy clouds, and chaotic constellations.
Novalise settled back against the soft leather of the bench. Soon enough, all would be right in her world, even as a tiny, insignificant voice continued to whisper in the back of her mind.
Defy the stars.
CHAPTEREIGHT
Asher had every intention of leaving House Celestine and returning home, but Cyra had other plans. She’d dragged him into a carriage and they’d taken flight, joining the other fae at the queen’s palace for the start of the Season.
Tonight was no different, though the queen seemed intent on outdoing herself year after year. The theme looked to be an enchanted forest, and no expense was spared to ensure everyone attending the revelry for Midsummer was both dazzled and overwhelmed. Each fae in the realm who was available for pairing was forced to wear a crown. The males were given wreaths of laurel with gold-dipped leaves while the females donned circlets of roses and peonies.
