“Slaying a beast and going to war are two very different things.”
My father’s shoulders tense. I can tell some small part of him wants to strike the northern king, but he won’t. Not only would it be an act of war, it would be an embarrassment. My father isn’t a young man anymore. His round belly and advanced age don’t afford him the advantage of the younger, fit king staring him down. He’d lose. And he would never recover from the implications of that loss.
“The jubilee is in honor of the accords de paix. Let us speak of war later,” the mage suggests, breaking her silence as she comes to stand by my father’s side. Power cracks in her words, magic that I can’t place. She wouldn’t dare influence a room full of nobles and royalty, but I find myself wondering if she’s capable of such a thing.
Ona’s eyes slide to mine, a sad smile across her face as she tosses her long white hair over her shoulder.
“Of course. Of course, you’re right, Ona,” Father mumbles, raking a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I’d never dishonor the accords.” With that, he nods his head respectfully to the room, carefully grabs the crown from the table, and makes his exit, bustling past the gaping faces of every member of high society in Lazoreat.
When he leaves the ballroom, a quiet murmur begins, and I shake my head. A heavy weight presses into my chest, like someone sitting on top of me, refusing to let me move, to let me breathe.
“Taryn,” Mira whispers coming to my side. She throws her arms around me and stands there, making little shh sounds against my hair. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”
“That must have been hard,” Dary murmurs, rubbing my arm compassionately while Mira strangles me with her hold. I step back from her embrace and nod, wiping at my eyes.
“I never thought we’d see that crown again. Mother’s seal—”
“I’m so sorry, Taryn,” Mira whispers, grabbing my hands. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Anything at all. Just name it,” Dary adds, smiling sadly at me.
I shake my head, sniffling. I hate crying. I’ve always abhorred the practice and avoided it at all costs. “Gods, this is embarrassing. They’ll be gossiping for weeks.”
“Longer, probably,” Dary snarls. “But fuck them. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“He’s right, if a little murderous. You’ve done nothing wrong, Taryn. You’re allowed to mourn her.”
“I thought I already had,” I whisper, shaking my head as if I can shake the grief from my mind.
Chapter Seven
I follow Mira through the crowd, laughing as we pass another group of drunken party-goers. The gala is beautiful. Ona has outdone herself this year. Tiny lights float a few feet above the crowd, illuminating the celebration. When a few soar down around us, I can’t help but smile at my friend.
“It’s absolutely magical,” she whispers in awe, reaching out to touch a tiny orb before it flits away back to its place above our heads.
“Well, it is magic,” I point out, biting the tip of my tongue when she rolls her eyes at me.
“Where is Dary?” she asks suddenly, leaning to look around me. “He best not have abandoned us for some maid,” she pouts.
“Mira, do you fancy Dary?” I ask suddenly, quietly so no one will hear. I’ve had my suspicions for quite some time, even before we called off our engagement. It’s always been painstakingly obvious she thinks he’s handsome, but who can blame her? He is. It never offended me, and it still doesn’t, though it does sting that my closest friend wouldn’t share something so important with me. I’ve never said anything, because I understand why Mira has kept the crush to herself.
While it would be an advantageous match for her family, Mira is well below a prince, socially. As much as I hate it, it’s true. Even the nobility my family deeded hers couldn’t change that.
She goes completely still, her eyes slowly raising to mine. Her hesitation is all the answer I need but still, I wait to hear her try to talk her way out of it.
“Taryn, I—” her eyes water in the corners as she shakes her head. “I’d never betray you.”
“Betray me? How could you loving someone betray me?”
“You were promised. I wouldn’t—”
“You’ve known I was a sapphic since we were children, Mira. You loving Dary makes no difference to me.” I wrap my arms around her neck and whisper near her ear, “You should tell him. At the very least, before the lottery is drawn. Starting a new life with secrets weighing down your heart is something I don’t want for you.”
Mira sniffles into my hair and I stroke her back, sighing. “Besides, it’s painfully obvious.”
“It is not,” she hisses.
“It is. I think he fancies you too, you know.”
“What?” she shrieks, leaning back to glance at my face. “He doesn’t.”
“I think he might. He does get a bit jealous of your crushes when he visits. And you, his.”
“I—” Mira’s face falls and she shakes her head. “I’m convinced he’s in love with you.” I can tell she believes it when she says it, even though I wholeheartedly disagree.
“I think Dary did love me, once. But we’re just friends now, Mira. And even if he had some leftover emotions for me, nothing can come of them. I don’t see him—or anyone like him—in that light. There’s nothing to be done about it.”
“But—”
“No buts. You need to tell him. He’s one of your closest friends and deserves to know. Your other closest friend demands it.” I smile at her as she blushes, avoiding my gaze.
“I think he’ll always prefer you, Taryn. Even if he was interested in me, even if his family allowed—”
“Let Dary make that decision for himself. Even if nothing comes of it, you’re going to be married soon, to someone,” I huff, gesturing to the crowd of nobles around us. “You’ll wonder your entire life what might have happened if you told him. Even if you truly believe nothing can happen. Wouldn’t you want to know?”
Mira glances away then straightens her spine. I don’t look over my shoulder, I already know it has to be Dary approaching. The arm thrown casually over my shoulder confirms it and I roll my eyes.
“Hello, ladies,” he laughs, smiling to us both and I shove him away from me playfully.
“If you get my dress dirty, I’ll run you through.”
“You couldn’t,” he scoffs.
“She could and you know it,” Mira laughs, all the awkwardness from the moment before gone. I hope she takes my advice. I would want to know if someone were in love with me. If only to ease their curiosity with a gentle truth. I would want to know.
But, perhaps that’s just my vanity speaking.
“It is a beautiful gown,” Mira says, reaching down to pet the shimmering material. It glimmers beneath the orb lights and sparkles like a thousand pink gems as I swish it back and forth, giggling.
“It is. I’ve been saving it all year for the jubilee,” I admit.
“You are a vain little thing,” Dary sighs dramatically.