Chapter 7:
Aether and Shade
The ball exceeded their expectations in every conceivable way. A roar of welcome from the Orian populace made them feel like celebrities as they entered. An introduction to the Princess's counselors followed—a cadre of elderly men whose sneering gazes left them deeply unnerved. Eager to meet the Princess herself, their anticipation mounted with each passing moment she remained unseen. They had positioned themselves near what Lyra dubbed the "VIP table" when the orchestra struck up a vibrant, infectious melody. Ignoring Reya's strenuous protests, Aden swept her onto the dance floor, pulling her into a close embrace.
Kara let out a sharp wolf-whistle, her laughter bubbling over as Lyra clapped and hooted for the new couple. A deep blush crept up Reya's neck, and she hid her face, feigning disinterest. While Lyra was still giggling, Kiro moved smoothly behind her, his hand settling on her waist. With a dramatic flourish of one hand, he twirled her out, his other securing her. Caught off guard, Lyra stumbled, much to her own dismay and Kara's roaring amusement. Kiro simply placed a firm hand on the small of her back, a confident grin spreading across his face as he drew her effortlessly back to him.
His eyes burned with a familiar passion as he murmured, "May I have this dance, m'lady?"
"Of course," Lyra managed, her voice barely a whisper. A familiar thrill coursed through her, so potent it made her want to kiss him then and there. She placed one hand on his shoulder and let him take her other. They swept across the floor, moving as one.
With a sigh, Kara sank back into her chair and took a sip of her wine. Having never tasted it before, she worried another glass might leave her inebriated. Unfortunately, it was the only beverage on offer. A smirk touched her lips as she watched Lyra and Kiro put everyone else on the dance floor to shame. The people of Oria must be serious drinkers, she mused. This spectacle continued for three songs and two glasses of wine, by which point Kara's amusement had curdled into boredom. Huffing with impatience, she rose and made for the grand doors, intent on a covert retreat to their shared chamber.
She was nearing the exit when a hand seized her arm, spinning her around. Kara cried out, finding herself face-to-face with a powerfully built man. He was pale, but his was the seductive pallor of moonlight, not the pallor of illness. His eyes, a deep forest green with pupils like fathomless pools, seemed to draw her into a trance. His long, dark green hair was styled with three spikes in the center, perfectly matching the vivid hue of his eyes. He loomed over her, clad in a Sentinel's uniform that seemed ill-suited to his frame. Most intriguing of all were his long, pointed ears, reminiscent of a handsome elf from a film trilogy she adored.
Shaking herself from a haze of wine and burgeoning lust, Kara held her ground, leaving her arm captive in the handsome stranger's grasp. He leaned closer, his touch feather-light as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I—um… I'm…" she trailed off, the words dying on her lips. She closed her eyes, reveling in the tingling sensation as his fingers lingered on her cheek.
His quiet chuckle brought her back to reality. Kara flushed, but his smile was disarming. It didn't quite reach his eyes, however, leaving a reserved shadow that only intensified her desire to uncover his secrets. She returned the smile, reaching for his hand. His expression turned serious as he threaded his fingers through hers. His eyes seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words, and Kara wished desperately that she could read minds.
As the music softened, becoming more intimate, the remaining couples on the floor drew closer. With a subtle gesture, the man extended a silent invitation to dance. Still awestruck by his beauty, Kara nodded slowly, a broad smile spreading across her face. A smirk playing on his lips, he led her onto the floor. The crowd parted for them, their every move tracked by wide-eyed glances and hushed whispers.
The song was slow and sensual, allowing the stranger to draw Kara close, his hands settling possessively on her waist. Buoyed by the wine, she sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning into his strength. She gazed up at him, her expression a cocktail of admiration and curiosity. They danced in silence for what felt like an eternity before Kara's curiosity finally won out.
"So, what's your name, stranger?" she asked, startled by how much she sounded like her sister in that moment. It wasn't entirely surprising; she was, after all, attempting to woo a handsome man—a pastime her sister seemed to indulge in daily.
The stranger's grin flashed in the waning ballroom light. "My name would mean nothing to you, oh shining Fated One."
Kara chose to ignore the undercurrent of resentment in his tone. She was so enchanted, she failed to notice the dance floor had cleared, leaving them entirely alone in the center of the vast room. When she caught sight of a smiling Lyra waving and winking from the sidelines, a blush crept up her cheeks. Beside her, Kiro squinted, his gaze fixed suspiciously on Kara's enigmatic partner. She dismissed it as simple envy and turned her attention back to the man before her. Out of the corner of her eye, Kara saw Kiro detach himself from the crowd and approach the Sentinels guarding the perimeter.
A flicker of unease went through Kara, and she looked back up at her handsome acquaintance. He was still watching her, his expression unreadable. "Seriously, who are you?" she pressed, the question aimed less at his identity and more at the sudden tension in the room.
The man stopped dancing, holding her gaze intently. A slow grin spread across his face. His voice was no longer a murmur but a sharp command that cut through her thoughts, a subtle order demanding obedience. When it starts, take your sister and go to the balcony. Promise me. Despite the sinister undertone of his words, she found herself nodding, still stunned by his incredible beauty and struggling to process the command. Then, as if on impulse, he leaned down and kissed her. The kiss was a frenzied, all-consuming fire that stole her breath and ignited a howl of outrage from the surrounding crowd. Kara found herself desperately trying to match his intensity, to meet his fire with her own, until the world began to spin. He had sparked a reckless streak within her she never knew existed.
Just as abruptly, his lips were gone, his arms ripped from her grasp. Kara's eyes flew open. She watched in disbelief as a cordon of furious Sentinels dragged her mystery man away.
Kiro stomped over to her, his face a mask of fury. "Kara! You absolute idiot! Do you have any idea what you've just done?"
Feeling utterly adrift yet furious that her alluring stranger had been torn from her, Kara crossed her arms defiantly. "I think I have a pretty good idea, moron," she snapped.
The insult seemed to momentarily break through his rage, which gave way to astonished incredulity before hardening back into venom. Lyra pushed through the gawking spectators, her expression a mixture of confusion and excitement. "KARA!" she squealed. "Who was that gorgeous specimen, and how was the kiss? You have to spill!"
Ignoring Kiro's simmering rage and the stares of every guest at the ball, Kara couldn't suppress a giggle as she hugged her sister.
Visibly disturbed by their lighthearted chatter, Kiro strode off to placate the other guests. Kara blushed, trying to field Lyra's rapid-fire questions while a mortifying thought surfaced: she had just kissed a complete stranger in front of the entire kingdom. Then his words echoed in her mind. When it starts. What was starting? When she voiced the question to Lyra, her sister's expression grew thoughtful.
"Now that you mention it," Lyra said, a frown creasing her brow, "I've been wondering the same thing. Where is the Princess? Wasn't she supposed to welcome us?"
Reya, having finally evaded Aden's persistent advances, arrived just in time to hear the question. She cleared her throat as both sisters turned to her with expectant looks.
"Given the recent dragon attack and the situation in the City, Kiro advised the Princess to remain absent from the ball for her own safety."
The twins exchanged a look. It was difficult to feel truly welcome when their host hadn't even made an appearance. Bored with the explanation, Lyra craned her neck, searching for Kiro. Anticipating her question, Reya explained, "He's trying to calm everyone down."
Flustered and personally offended by the collective reaction, Kara demanded, "Why does everyone need calming down? What is the big deal?"
Reya sighed, a weary look settling on her features. "Kara," she began, her voice heavy, "I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your new friend… the man with the pointed ears… he was a Shadow Elf. They are notoriously dangerous—and they are the sworn enemies of this kingdom."
The gravity of the revelation was lost on the sisters. "So...?" Kara slurred slightly, still battling the wine's pleasant haze. As the music swelled once more, Lyra began to dance in place.
Reya rubbed her temples as if to ward off a headache and shook her head in disbelief. Though their naivete was exasperating, a small, fond smile touched her lips. Aden materialized behind her once more. "Hey, beautiful. Wanna dan—"
With a shriek, Reya glanced over her shoulder and fled. He scrambled after her, shouting her name and drawing another round of strange looks from the crowd. The twins exchanged a look and burst into laughter. They were about to join the dancers when a powerful wave of energy washed over them, freezing them in place.
A collective gasp escaped their lips as an image seared itself into their minds: the Sovereign City, consumed by a fiery explosion. They looked at each other, a shared terror in their eyes as they recognized the energy's source.
The dragon. It had returned.
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