Page 64 of All the Pain of Promises
“Blessed stars,” Nyxian groaned the words out, shoving a hand through his unruly hair. “I hate it when the two of them are in a room together. It’s fucking uncomfortable.”
Ariesian’s head snapped up and his gaze darted from Sarelle to Narissa. “Language, Nyx.”
“Right,” Nyxian muttered, tugging on the collar of his crisp violet shirt. “Apologies.”
Narissa had the distinct feeling that he didn’t mean it.
“Aries, are you certain you can’t marry Caelian off next?” he asked, grabbing a fistful of sugared berries. He tossed one into the air and caught it in his mouth. “Her eternal pining over Drake’s general is pitiful.”
Narissa sat up straight, she was quite well-versed in the art of pining. “Lady Caelian and General Holtstrom would make a fine match.”
Solarius leaned in close, as though he were about to spill a dark secret. “Except he wants nothing to do with her. Wish magic is dangerous, and Caelian made a foolish mistake.”
Narissa was considering questioning Solarius further on the matter when Ariesian spoke once more.
“I’m afraid I’m busy securing another marriage for our family.” The eldest Starstorm leaned back in his chair, his hands gripping the curving arms until his knuckles whitened, and for a brief moment, it looked as though he was preparing for battle.
“Is that right?” Nyxian’s mischievous gaze landed on Sarelle. “Whose?”
Ariesian didn’t even blink. His face was the epitome of calm neutrality when he said, “Yours.”
Nyxian choked on a berry. He pounded his fist against his chest, then let out one barking cough that closely resembled an incredulous laugh. “You cannot be serious.”
“Oh, but I am.” Ariesian’s fingers methodically tapped against the glossy wooden armchair. “Tov is returning to the seas in the spring, and you chose to remain here, in Aeramere. Sarelle is garnering the attention of Prince Aspen.”
He paused then, because everyone at the table knew Sarelle’s interest in Prince Aspen to be a ruse.
“And Caelian expended too much of her power. She’s not allowed to court until she makes a full recovery.” Ariesian notched a finger in Nyxian’s direction. “That leaves only you, dear brother.”
Narissa wasn’t entirely sure what she expected, but it certainly wasn’t watching Nyxian Starstorm explode on his eldest brother.
“I amnotplaying into your hand, Ariesian.” Nyxian stood abruptly. His chair flipped back, and the echo of wood slamming against polished stone reverberated throughout the dining hall. Anger simmered beneath the surface of his usually carefree façade, and the scar marking the left side of his face only served to make him more menacing. “You don’t run my life. You are not our father and you never will be, so drop the fucking act.”
Sarelle clamped one hand over her mouth, and it was as though Nyxian’s word cracked his brother’s icy exterior, because Ariesian faltered.
“Nyxian,” Sarelle whispered, her voice a plea as her wild eyes darted between her brothers.
But he ignored her and bolted from the room, a volatile storm of emotions brewing in his wake.
Tovian cleared his throat and calmly set his napkin down on his plate. “I’ll take care of it.”
He stood and bowed slightly. “Brothers. Sister. Lady Narissa.”
Then he, too, left, and the dining hall fell eerily silent.
Solarius clicked his tongue and popped one of the sugared berries that rolled across the table into his mouth. “See, Rissa love? Having siblings isn’t so great after all.”
But he squeezed her thigh, nonetheless.
Ariesian followed Tovian’s suit, his expression solemn, his demeanor stiff and excessively formal. He offered them a curt bow. “If you’d excuse me.”
The moment he abandoned the dining hall, Sarelle blew out a breath that sent her star-kissed midnight hair fluttering. “I amsosorry, Narissa. Their behavior this morning was inexcusable.”
Narissa waved a hand flippantly through the air. “Think nothing of it.”
In truth, she was almost grateful for the experience. It pleased her to see that the beloved Starstorms weren’t perfect. That they were real and raw and sometimes even vulnerable. But perhaps what she loved most was that they’d chosen to not curb their behavior, her presence had not made difference. It was almost like they saw her as one of them. As part of their family.
“Are you staying with us long?” Sarelle asked, drawing Narissa’s attention away from her sentimental thoughts.
