Page 59 of Of Stars and Lightning
Even her Court watched her with tentative surprise at the blatant display of courage, one Sol had to admit was likely fueled by adrenaline. Poppy’s face gleamed with pride, as did her wife’s.
But Sol didn’t stay to see any other reactions. She set down her chalice and stepped away from the table. “I also have a pretty good aim with daggers.” She bowed. “Lovely feast, Majesty.”
As she left the feast without waiting for a dismissal, Gaven held the doors open then offered to walk with her to a mezzanineoverlooking the throne room before the next part of the celebration, which was the dance.
Her court trailed behind her silently the whole way, and Sol wanted to run back to them and apologize for acting like an offended child.
After arriving at the ballroom, musicians playing lazily, she expressed the sentiment to Nina, who only gave her a small hug. “Don’t be sorry, that was amazing.”
Sawyer, albeit a tad tipsy, nodded in agreement and said, “Screw the hierarchy,” before stumbling away to a table of what Sol had to guess were Melisandre soldiers. Which led way to the next concern.
Not only was Cas absent, but so was his territory, Eswin. Sol noted the table with their label looming in a corner, empty and bleak compared to the energy of the others.
Nina cursed at the realization, sending Alix into the bustling crowd to see if he could subtlety gather intel on why they were the only territory who declined the offer to visit Rimemere. As Nina took her arm and dismissed Gaven with a wave, she explained Eswin was originally ruled by the Morozov clan, Cas’s maternal line and notorious Shadow Guiders. They were a relatively secretive family, but after Draven had left Lady Alyana, Cas’s mother, for Irene, the territory only secluded itself further into isolation. Sol rubbed at the spot between her thumb and index finger, a holistic point of pressure Lora had taught her could relieve unwanted tension.
For the first time, it didn’t work.
She and Nina leaned on the mezzanine railing, watching the couples sway to the bright strings and deep notes of some wooden instrument Sol had never seen. The nobles had apparently been allowed to bring guests, one per house. The guests now mingled, tripling the size of the original crowd.
Like the ballroom, the throne room was painted with silvers and blues, colors she came to realize were the Mornett palette—Samara and Gina’s maternal bloodline. Gina was tasked with the castle decor, and she obviously tried to erase any trace of Irene whenever she could. Melisandre colors were scatteredin between, mostly in the quieter, dimmer rooms, where they could dwell in the shadows and not gain much attention.
Most bizarre of all though, and a new addition to the decor according to Nina, was a large, seemingly useless cube settled on the far wall next to the golden double doors. It was an eyesore amidst the rest of the elegance. It seemed like a crate of sorts, with a crimson curtain draped over it to directly conceal whatever lay beneath it.
Alix mentioned Semmena enjoyed bringing exotic animals from Polimende as entertainment. The thought of a lion—or some other beast—in the room with them made Sol’s headache insufferable.
She smiled softly through the pain as the Dianese guest, a boy with large, puffy brown sleeves and sleeked hair, spoke with Penny in a corner, both exchanging pieces of food for the other to try.
Sol traced the wallpaper with her eyes. She supposed she should be downstairs, mingling with the nobility. But she was tired. Tired of pretending like she was put together. Of pretending she no longer resented her mother for making the transition into this world so much harder.
My dear girl, I am so sorry.
She grabbed her necklace, zipping it back and forth on its chain as Nina sighed.
“Awkward, huh?” The Earth Caller caressed a lonely plant beside her. “I didn't think it would be this bad.”
Sol shrugged. “I didn't expect a welcome party.”
They watched the people below in silence. Poppy and Sonia laughed together in an intimate dance, making Sol sigh.
She had never truly craved that sort of relationship with anyone, nothing apart from the occasional distraction. But seeing them, the attention they regarded each other with, the way they seemed to be suspended in their own world—it pulled at her chest.
“They’re a rarity,” Nina said, following her line of vision. “The last gods’-called union still alive.”
Sol tore her gaze from them. “Gods’-called?”
“Poppy’s god, Aquarene, called her and Sonia’s union.” Nina smiled down at them, also seemingly enchanted. “Sonia was a FireWielder, but resigned her fire and took some of Poppy’s magic during their union. As a reward for accepting the bond, Aquarene granted Sonia Duality, letting her keep Emberdon’s flames while also able to Water Dance.”
Sol looked back at them. “That’s possible?”
“The gods are odd. They occasionally call two individuals together, whether for power or strength.” She shrugged. “We will never know the gods’ motives.”
The couple laughed in unison, Sonia grabbing a mug of wine from a servant. She caught Sol’s gaze and gave her a polite nod, followed by Poppy peering back to do the same.
Sol returned the gesture. “So, they're like soulmates?”
Nina laughed. “I guess that's comparable. But gods’ bonds can be accepted or rejected. Though rejecting it is apparently painful—physically and emotionally. The bonds are so rare, not much is truly known of them except that accepting them grants the couple great, unique power. And well, unmatched love, it seems.”
“Please tell me we can leave soon.” Alix strode up behind them, placing his arm around Nina’s shoulder.
