Page 74 of War Hour

“Alcohol. I’ve never had it.”

Without a word, Ardis nods and leans over, swiping a drink from a passing tray, this one a milky, iridescent white. “No need for any more new experiences today, wouldn’t you agree?” he asks as he hands me the fresh beverage. He then swipes the one I’m holding and glugs it down.

I nod, chuckling as he nudges me.

Examining the room, I easily differentiate the court members from the staff flocking about toting food and drink trays. Donning simple black dress clothes, they blend into the swirling sea of sparkles and silk, velvet and lace, like how the darkness of the night sky highlights the stars among it. A part of me wishes I were among them tonight—fading into the background.

I crane my neck to glimpse the group of musicians sitting on the balcony, playing their instruments. When a song ends, they pick up another without so much as a glance from the crowd.

“How long does the ball last?” I ask, turning to Ardis.

He snickers, shaking his head. “Had your fill already?”

“Absolutely.” I nod before leaning toward him with a conspiring smile. “I want to be able to count down the minutes until I can ditch these pointy shoes and head back to my room.”

Ardis chuckles, his shoulders shaking, which coaxes a broader smile from my lips. “You’ll probably be in the clear in a couple hours, but it’s a night that never ends. People stay here—”

When I look at Ardis, his eyes shine as he looks at the entrance to the ballroom.

Following his gaze, I find Sar stepping through the doors and hovering at the staircase’s landing.

Sar holds herself like a Crown. Head tall, back straight, always with a gentle smile on her face. All the beauty but with every morsel of modesty and dignity. She deserves to be an Heir, walking in the procession instead of Neith.

“Perhaps you could escort her,” I say, nudging Ardis.

His eyes flick to me in surprise before moving back to Sar. Lips pursing, he turns to grab another passing drink. “She’s an Heir. It would be inappropriate.”

Watching him swallow a gulp of the drink with wide eyes, I can’t help but wonder if it’s the reason the two seem to ignore how drawn they are to each other despite everything they’ve been through. Every time I see them, they are touching in some small way.

Were there rules for relationships between courts and the different statuses?

“All I meant was escort her down the stairs,” I tease as a flush creeps across Ardis’s cheeks.

I’m positive that, if I pointed it out to him, he would blame it on the drinks, but I know better.

Ardis hesitates, finger swirling across the rim of his glass in deep contemplation.

“I’ll be fine on my own. Go,” I assure him, taking his glass and pushing him in her direction.

Ardis strides across the room, dodging anyone who walks into his path. He takes the stairs two at a time before stopping at the step below Sar’s.

At the sight of him, Sar smiles, her face a rosy glow, before stepping forward to encircle her hand through his arm.

As they descend the stairs, Ardis leans toward her ear, whispering something to make Sar burst into giggles. She throws her head back, laughing, lightly shoving at Ardis, who smirks at her reaction.

Staring at them, I can’t help but smile until I realize I’m not the only one who watches them.

For a moment, it’s as if the procession of Crowns has already started as people turn to watch the two descend the staircase.

It’s obvious when Sar and Ardis realize the attention lies on them. Their shared smiles go stiff, their conversation halting. Ardis pulls away, putting distance between them, as he guides Sar. She flashes a hurt look at Ardis when he does, but it goes unanswered by Ardis as he looks off in the opposite direction.

Eyebrows knitted, I examine them.

They had more practice than anyone under people’s gaze. Why did it matter now?

It isn’t until I look at the crowd, finding disgruntled expressions and frowning lips, that I understand. Ardis’s hesitation makes sense now.

The warmth from Sar’s face vanishes, replaced with a neutral mask hiding the turmoil swirling in her eyes.

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