I’d tried to surprise him with it. It was just something small I had tried to do to make his birthday special, but he’d found out anyway. He was impossible to surprise.
So I didn’t know what to do for his birthday. What did you give one of the crown princes of Wylan as a birthday gift? In Nerede, we usually just made some sort of sweet dessert and that was all. Because that was usually all we had the time or energy for.
I knew from the queen’s journals that jewels were far more common in Savaryn and Kavan Keep. Also on the princes sixth birthdays, they were gifted their first swords.
Swords and jewels. Rewearing a dress. It all seemed rather inadequate ways of trying to make Krew’s day special. A day he also shared with Keir.
Krew had been busy with Keir and his father all day, so I was to meet him downstairs. Ready to get the fancy portion of the night over with, Owen and I headed down. I was feeling irked I didn’t get to spend hardly any time with Krew at all. I was in an odd mood, still feeling exhausted from being up late the night before and then dealing with Keir’s belief that Krew and I were stronger than the king and whatever object he wore.
But as the cool air hit my bare shoulder, I couldn’t help but smile.
The weather had been acting more like spring than winter for once, so the birthday ball had been moved to the gardens. There would be minimal dancing. And this ball was supposed to be more about the princes and less about the pomposity, more of a party.
Hanging from tree branches were tons of strings of lights in circular bulbs. The result was a maze of lights weaving throughout the garden and casting everything in a romantic glow. It was rapidly getting darker out, but the lights helped. And not only were they functional, they were also just beautiful.
We walked one of the pathways I was familiar with, before turning to find the servers and snacks. The servers were carrying around black trays and even they looked happy in the change of scenery.
I found Gwen by the truffles, of course, and went over to talk to her while we waited for everyone else to filter in.
The king was the last to arrive and he arrived with Nara on his arm. I pushed my magic down and tried not to be annoyed. Tonight was about his sons, but the king couldn’t handle the attention on anyone but himself for even one night. He’d made his first public appearance with his new mistress instead.
“What is he doing?” Gwen whispered from behind her champagne glass.
I smiled at her so no one listening in would be any the wiser. “My guess is that with only half as many guests as normal, he thought this would be the perfect time to bring Nara around.”
Gwen rolled her eyes and I fought off a laugh.
“Have you spoken with her since?” Gwen asked.
I gave her a nod. “Just once. Found her walking these gardens, actually.”
Gwen spun so her back was to the king and Nara. “I cannot stomach being near her. While I can understand the need to get out of Rallis, I cannot understand why she’d do this.”
We gave each other a look and I knew what she was trying to say. That she didn’t trust her. And neither did I. Though Gwen and I had issues of our own which were not likely to just disappear, there was one area we had found common ground. We both understood the king needed off that throne. And sooner rather than later.
For an hour we chatted and grabbed drinks. Then the princes arrived together, the entire room clapping and singing.
I’ve missed you today, Krew sent to me even as he held a conversation with one of his father’s commanders.
I missed you.
Before either prince even got a chance to grab a drink or check in with their consorts, the king stood on a balcony overlooking the gardens, Nara behind him and off to the side, and sent out his black magic into fireworks to get everyone’s attention.
“Tonight we celebrate my sons, your heirs to Wylan. Another year has come and gone, another year readying them for the future. So let tonight be about them. They are the greatest things I have ever done for Wylan. Happy birthday, my sons!” He gestured with a hand toward an open lawn where a group was gathered.
Judging by the ladders and bars, it was going to be similar to the other acrobat show we’d seen. Except outside. With minimal lighting.
But was this even a good idea? Would the athletes be okay performing in the dark?
Two chairs were set up front on the lawn, obviously for Keir and Krew, with rows of chairs behind the first two sets. Meanwhile the king took a seat in his balcony, overviewing everything. Nara got to sit up there too, but in a chair scooted back so far I wasn’t sure she could see a thing.
For what had to be the thousandth time, I wondered what in the realm she thought she was doing. Did she assume she would just cuddle up to the king and wind up the queen of Wylan? Just like that?
We were ushered over to the other seats. Krew and Keir’s chairs were more elaborate, though still white, and I wondered how many throne-looking chairs the castle possessed. I, of course, sat next to Renna and Molly. Gwen was on the other side of Renna, still staying clear of Molly altogether.
As the acrobats began their art of swinging through the air and launching themselves, I realized I had no reason to worry. Though it was dark, they had some tall lights added to the area to help.
The acrobats, men and women alike, all wore sequined outfits that played off the added light and made them glitter through the night sky.
