Page 56 of Of Stars and Lightning
Sol felt the blood leave her face as all eyes cut to her. “Sawyer??—”
“Very glad to see you remember your traditions, daughter.” Semmena eased her aside. “So, you should also remember that the King surpasses a Crown Princess.”
“For now,” someone in the crowd added.
Semmena stopped.
Beside her, Nina tensed as she scanned the people to see who dared the outburst, but everyone remained neutral. Sol couldn’t decipher who it was either, as if the wind itself had uttered the warning.
“Of course.” Semmena regained his composure, resuming his casual stride forward. “For now.”
Sol exhaled a shaky sigh of relief when the Semmena Court disappeared around the corner and down the ballroom hall.
In front of her, Sawyer shook her head. “It should have still been you.”
Nina motioned her forward, but the commotion behind them made the Earth Caller halt, her magic flaring green. But as she looked over Sol’s shoulder, Nina relaxed, and melted into a radiant smile.
As the two women walked through the crowd, the noblemen and women parted. Time seemed to slow until the couple finally stood before Sol.
For some moments, they just watched her.
The first thing that came to mind when Sol studied the woman on the right was winter’s first snow fall. The woman wore hershort, silver hair cropped to her chin, with eyes so pale blue they seemed to glow. Her skin was the softest brown, a mirror to her companion’s own. The duo seemed opposite each other in every way physically, but the one thing appearing eerily similar was their demeanor.
Simultaneously, they curtseyed. “Princess Yarrow,” said the silver-haired woman. “What an incredible pleasure.”
Sol nearly screamed when Nina yelped beside her. “I never thought I’d see the day the Ladies of Niome graced a dinner with their presence.”
The women laughed as Nina pulled them into a hug. Such a casual interaction seemed to do the trick, the tension fading as the others dispersed around them, some waiting for Sol to lead the way into the ballroom, while others returned outside.
“We could never miss the return of the Yarrow court,” said the woman with darker hair. She frowned as she studied them. “You do seem to be missing a member.”
“Casimir is currently out of the castle,” Alix shared, taking the women’s hands into a bow. “Though I am sure he will join us at some point.”
Sol tensed, knowing Alix was trying to avoid rumors or panic, but the latter snaked through her anyway.
“Great Irene Yarrow’s daughter,” the silver-haired woman crooned. “Do grace us with your common name.”
Sol looked from Nina to Sawyer, who merely tapped her fingers against her side with impatience.
“My name is Sol,” she said finally.
“Poppy.” The silver-haired woman bowed. “My wife here goes by Sonia.”
Sol smiled at them both, an easy, genuine smile at perhaps the first Wielders beside her court that seemed kind. Odd, but kind.
“Well…” Sawyer swirled on her foot and started toward the dreaded ballroom. “Let’s get this over with, shall we?”
The room was washed with blues and silvers, reminding Sol of a winter dream. It was reminiscent of the rest of the castle décor, though this room held more artwork and Wielder memorabilia,some captivating enough that Sol yearned to stop and admire them. There was a single, long rectangular table, perfectly set and ready in the center of the room.
She had never seen so much food at once. Rows of vegetables and exquisite greens spread over it, surrounding platters of meats and dishes she had never seen before. Despite the desire to not be there at all, her mouth watered.
Semmena, Gina, and Samara stood at one of the ends with the King at the head of the table and the women flanking him. It struck Sol then that Jeriyah was absent.
She made a note to ask Alix—another unexplained absence did not sit well with her at all, even if she didn't know the old man too well.
The Southern nobles who remained gathered behind Sol, waiting. Assessing.
“Let us enjoy this feast, to welcome the great Yarrow heir home.” Semmena grabbed a chalice of what looked like wine and raised it. “Please, all. Sit.”
