Page 67 of All the Pain of Promises
Sure, Narissa might be alone now, but her parentslovedher.
Solarius, on the other hand, was never wanted. He wasn’t the firstborn, so he eclipsed his mother’s attention. He wasn’t a female, so she held no qualms about his personal life and refused to take an interest in any of his affairs. He was simply cast aside. Ignored. Forgotten.
Trysta never loved him.
She never loved any of them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Even in the winter, the city of Celestine was still magical. The frost-covered shops glittered like gemstones despite the fact that the sun was hidden behind a veil of thick, gray clouds. Fountains flowing with shimmery silver water that reminded Narissa of liquid starlight lined the main square. The rooftops were all made of glass, crystals like rainbow moonstone, selenite, and blue sunstone decorated many of the storefronts. She stayed along the main path with Sarelle, and they passed by an adorable bakery called Moonbeams—the front display showcased dozens of sweet treats—anything from tarts and pies to cakes and candies. Whereas strolling through Azurvend was like taking a trip to the bottom of the ocean, Celestine was like walking among the stars.
It was positively ethereal.
“Oh!” Sarelle tugged her toward an ornately carved door depicting the Faerie Star—a dazzling star with eight points. “This is it. Narissa, welcome to Divine Stars, my favorite shop in all of Celestine.”
Narissa stumbled inside behind Sarelle as the bell above the door jingled softly, announcing their arrival.
Divine Stars was magnificent. There were racks upon racks of gowns and dresses in varying shades of the sky, anything from twilight to midnight. Dusky silver, sapphire blue, deepest amethyst, and pitch black. They were exquisite in detail, many of them embellished with pearls, diamonds, and other celestial-looking gemstones. Along the far wall were shelves fully stocked with bolts of delicate fabric, and there were display cases lined with velvet featuring a dizzying assortment of jewels—rings, bracelets, necklaces, hair clips—all of them looked to be crafted from the stars. Ribbons of lace and satin hung over the top of a glossy hardwood drawer brimming with gloves and…stockings.
Sarelle rummaged through the selection of gowns, pulling one from the rack. “I think you would look stunning in this one.”
She hoisted it up and Narissa’s jaw dropped. “It’s…breathtaking.”
“I know.Andit’s the only gold one of the lot.” Sarelle shimmied a little, tempting her with the decadent gown. “I feel like it’s a sign. Besides, gold will look fabulous against your sun-kissed skin.”
“Fine, you’ve convinced me.” Narissa gave her a playful roll of the eyes. “Though I must admit, I thought it would take much longer for me to find something to wear.”
“Nonsense.” Sarelle handed the gold gown to the shopkeeper and turned back toward the arrangement of dresses. “I have an excellent sense of style. And I know I said I needed new gloves, but in truth I wanted to find a new gown for myself as well. The Yuletide Ball is one of my favorite events of the year, and it’s the first time I’ve been able to choose something for myself, instead of wearing whatever hideous garment my mother forces upon me.”
The mention of Lady Trysta Starstorm sent a prickle of unease trekking down Narissa’s spine. She was well aware of the Starstorm siblings’ disdain toward their mother, and in truth,the Celestine matriarch had always seemed slightly off-putting and more than a little selfish to Narissa as well. There was something about her manner, the way cruel ambition seemed to glint in her eyes, like there was a film of deception coating her aura. Not to mention those annoying bracelets she always wore that jingled in the most obnoxious way.
“Will your mother be in attendance tonight?” Narissa asked, slowly making her way over to the drawer full of elegant, if not slightly scandalous, stockings.
“Most likely.” Sarelle shrugged then and her midnight hair shimmered, a sheen of stardust coasting the luxurious strands. She fiddled with the long, gossamer sleeves of a gown. “She’s not been home as of late. At least not since Creslyn and Drake’s arrival from Brackroth. It seems the palace is a more important place to be at the moment.”
Somehow, Narissa didn’t find that at all surprising. Still, curiosity got the best of her. “And what of Prince Aspen? Will he be at the Yuletide Ball tonight?”
Sarelle paled and ducked her head. “I believe so, yes.”
“Are things…that is, are you still…” Narissa found it difficult to finish asking. Sarelle was supposed to charm and court Aeramere’s prince in order to learn why he wanted to overthrow his mother. But the supposed uprisings to the northwest had been silenced for some time now, and the last time there’d been any show of force was at Novalise and Asher’s wedding, nearly three months prior. All of Aeramere had been oddly quiet since then, and Narissa secretly hoped all the dangers and talks of an impending war were finally over.
“I rarely see him. Ever since his impressive shape-shifting display at Novalise’s wedding, he seldom leaves the palace. At least, that’s what I assume based upon his lack of public outings. Save for his appearance at your wedding.” Sarelle pulled a black silk gown from the rack, then added four more to the growingpile in her arms. “I’ve tried to make myself available at events where he is due to attend, but he always fails to show.”
Narissa helped her carry the dresses to one of the fitting rooms at the back of the shop. “Do you like him?”
“I don’t even know him.” A pinched sigh escaped her, and she stole a glance around the small room to ensure there were no lingering patrons, no listening ears. Her voice dropped to a hollow whisper. “I just feel like this whole farce, or lack of one, will be a total disaster. And then I’ll have let Ariesian, and all of my siblings, down. I do not wish to be a disappointment.”
“Sarelle.” Narissa hung the dresses on the hook in the fitting room before facing her friend. “You arenevera disappointment. It is entirely out of your control if the prince is not around, you can only do so much. And you should not have to go out of your way to pursue him.”
Sarelle opened her mouth to object, but Narissa held up one hand.
“I know.” She drew the word out, then cupped Sarelle’s cheek. “I understand the why. But you should not waste your time attempting to court a prince you want nothing to do with, especially not under false pretenses, when there are so many other lords who would fall at your feet if you accepted their arm.”
“Do you really think so?” Sarelle asked, her sapphire eyes brimming with hope.
“Of course not.” Narissa grinned. “Iknowso.”
Sarelle laughed and sprinkles of stardust tumbled around them like faerie dust.
