“It is.” Lunelle stared at the box for another moment before Lura stretched out her hand.
“I’ll get it back to your room,” she said. “Unless… you wanted to wear it?”
“No,” Lunelle said without hesitation. “Not tonight.”
“Very well,” Lura replied, tucking the box into her pocket. “Last look!”
Lura’s amethyst irises swept the princess, every falling star perfectly placed, every white wisp of hair tucked neatly beneath a sparkling diadem.
“We’re ready for her,” a maiden said, leaning into the room.
Lura gave her princess—her friend—one last smile before gently pushing her toward the door, her heels clicking quickly as she approached the balcony.
“Freeze your face, Ice Queen,” Lura called after her, Lunelle’s lower lip sucked between her teeth. She released her lip and giggled, setting her shoulders back in a graceful pose.
“Princess Lunelle Silverswan Aurellis, the future Queen of the Lunar Court. May the Mother bless her Within, and Without.”
It was a tidal wave crashing over her—all the eyes of the court at once. She’d been the center of their attention before, but tonight felt different. It felt impossible to breathe.
Each step cracked her careful mask. She was not being seen, she was being looked at.
Her eyes fell on the Mercurian king, Astra’s arm tightly looped against him as his fingers clutched into a fist at their shared panic. She did not dare dwell for long, her own nerves screaming at her as she took the final step, and a pale blue hand reached for hers.
The Tether and the echo beyond it both jolted, confusing her gaze as she settled into the crowd. Music struck up, the room spun, and she was once again in the arms of the Plutonian prince. Though, this time, she did not feel sickened by him or an uncontrollable urge to fuck him into silence.
She found something like peace with Arcas. It was not a sparkling gem, and it was not forgiveness, but it was something like it.
“You're going to break my hand, Lunelle,” Arcas whispered, a faint chuckle on his breath. Lunelle frowned as they spun, her dress floating behind her. She led him in a spirited waltz, his long legs keeping time with hers as she twisted them into a tight circle.
“Sorry,” she muttered, loosening her grip on his palm, eyes scanning the hundreds of faces surrounding them.
When exactly is Selenia supposed to join us?Lunelle beamed to her sister. She’d wanted to sound confident and calm, but even she could hear the panic in her own voice.
Astra’s eyes found hers.We didn’t set an exact time. You can do this.
As they spun again, Lunelle watched as Astra mumbled to Mirquios, his lips pulled into a bitter line. Lunelle snorted.We may not even have to rely on her. I think Mirq’s glare might vaporize Arcas and solve the problem for us.
Her sister’s lips curved into an amused grin.And that’s with my attempts to calm him.
Lunelle watched as Astra leaned into the king, patting his arm as if he were a scared child. Lunelle knew what he was worried about—not the blue hands that held her, but the chance they might harm her in ways no one else but he understood.
Behind her sister, the commander watched them like a hawk, his eyes on every exit in the room at once.
She wished, for a moment, that her sister had been brave enough to share it with her—the hope they’d found in one another. Astra always had a reason for her secrets, but she was carrying so many at this point, Lunelle had hoped at least this one might spill over.
She had dozens of questions.
Lunelle planted the seed, much like her mother would have, beamingI only hope you find a love like this one day, Astra.
Astra didn’t even know she did it, surely, but her eyes dropped for merely a breath toward the Solarian at the back of the room.
One day.
As Lunelle swept Arcas across the dancefloor, Astra’s ruby curls joined the fray. They were close enough to brush skirts as Astra pulled Mirquios into the center. Something Mirquios said sent her sister’s head back in a true, genuine laugh. A sound Lunelle had missed for so long.
She prayed it would be more frequent when they were out of this mess.
Lunelle refocused her attention on Arcas. “We heard some interesting news from the Plutonian captain?—”
