DISCLAIMER: The author's imagination and passion are the only sources of inspiration for this novel, which is a work of dedication. Parallels between these pages and the past or present may be apparent to some readers, but they are completely coincidental. You are free to interpret this art anyway you see fit, and it is meant for your enjoyment.
One of Dyierrean's gifted obsidian daggers could cut through the tension in the ballroom. The rest of the nobles stood in a daze following Reinn's elegant retreat to her father's arms for the opening waltz. With their hands still extended into the void, Giywon and Dyierrean were left standing in the middle of the floor like two beautifully attired statues.
Giywon muttered, "The second dance," as he watched Reinn spin with the Duke, his gaze fixed on the dazzling silver of her skirt. "It will be mine. I'll make a royal decree if I have to."
"Decrees won't help you when the music starts, Giywon," Dyierrean retorted, sounding like a stone. "She respects strength, not paperwork."
Both men surged forward with the accuracy of predators as the last note of the first waltz faded. They were three, four, five, and—
Suddenly, a blur of Hylde gold intercepted them.
"Sorry, boys! Family tradition!" Eyldion Hylde smiled as he moved like a mountain cat between the Prince and the Duke. Eyldion grabbed Reinn's hand and threw her back into the middle of the floor before she could even gather her breath after the first dance.
"Eyldion!" Reinn gasped, though she was secretly relieved
As the orchestra started up at a rapid tempo, her brother whispered, "Shh," and pulled her into a fast-paced polka. "I'm saving your life. Have you seen their faces? Giywon looks like he's about to declare war, and Dyierrean looks like he's trying to set the floor on fire with his mind. You're welcome."
Reinn peered over her brother's shoulder. In fact, Dyierrean was holding onto a stone pillar so tightly that it was about to break, and the Crown Prince was presently being held back by an extremely anxious-looking advisor.
Reinn grumbled, "I just wanted to eat the lobster," but as Eyldion spun her around, she was giggling. "Why is everyone acting like I'm a rare gemstone?"
"Because you're a gemstone that doesn't want to be in a ring," Eyldion laughed. "And men like them? They hate being told 'no' almost as much as they love a challenge."
But the Grand Banquet was the real test, not the dance floor.
The Emperor had ordered the three most influential families to share a single, long table in an uncommon act of imperial diplomacy—or possibly imperial mischief. The Mydril and Hylde households sat on either side of the Edryyion royals in the middle.
Giywon was seated immediately across from Reinn, who was seated between her father and Dyierrean. It was a madman's sitting arrangement.
Empress Sylvvia said, "Lady Reinn," her voice resonating across the quiet table. "I must say, your choice of attire tonight is... revolutionary. To forgo the Hylde gold for silver? It shows a remarkable sense of self."
Giywon leaned forward and said, "She looks like the moon," ignoring his soup. "Cold, distant, and utterly beautiful. I find myself wondering if I should rename the capital's main observatory after her."
"The moon belongs to no one, Giywon," Dyierrean whispered while carefully slicing his steak like a surgeon. His voice softened just enough for Reinn to hear as he turned to face her. "The silver suits you. It's the color of a blade before it strikes."
"Thank you, Dyierrean," Reinn murmured, paying close attention to her peas. "I just thought it wouldn't clash with the wine spills."
"And her kindness!" Giyenna, Dyierrean's mother, said, chuckling softly. "My son hasn't stopped talking about it. He says she has the heart of a true protector. I heard from the marketplace that she helped a commoner woman with her groceries."
Dyierrean choked slightly on his wine. "Mother, I did not—"
From farther down the table, Dyiervo said, "Oh, he did," with a smile. "He also said she looked like a 'breath of fresh air' in that blue dress. I think he's finally realized that scowling doesn't win girls, though he's still practicing."
Duke Eyrion appeared to be a proud lion as he pushed up his chest. "My Reinn has always been the jewel of the empire! It just took the rest of you a few years to catch up to my level of appreciation!"
Emperor Giyorre said, "She is certainly a jewel," focusing his keen gaze on Reinn. "A jewel that seems to have turned my son into a poet and my nephew into a watchdog. Tell me, Reinn, what is your secret? How did you tame the Dragon and the Wolf in a single month?"
Reinn put down her fork. The most influential individuals on the planet, the entire table, were gazing at her with genuine adoration, curiosity, and, in the case of the two men seated next to her, a hunger that made her skin tingle.
"I didn't tame anyone, Your Majesty," Reinn calmly and clearly stated. "I just decided to be happy. It turns out that when you stop trying to please everyone else, people become very interested in why you're so satisfied with yourself."
With a newfound regard in his eyes, Giywon lifted his glass. "To the Lioness. May she never be quiet again."
Dyierrean raised his glass as well, his gaze never leaving hers. "To Reinn. May she always find her own way."
Reinn felt the weight of their stares as the table exploded in a toast. The old "crush" was no longer the only thing. A complex, confusing, and exquisite jumble of emotions that no one could have foreseen was genuinely blossoming.
"Can I have that lobster now?" Reinn whispered to Dyierrean.
The most dreaded Duke in the empire took up the lobster tail, carefully shelled it, and put the tastiest part on her plate without saying anything.
Not to be outdone, Giywon gestured for a servant right away. "Bring the Lady the Imperial white wine. The one from the Emperor's private cellar. Only the best for the woman who finds us taxing."
Reinn moaned, but as she bit into the lobster, she came to the conclusion that she wouldn't exchange all the spreadsheets in the world for this chaotic, terrifying, amazing new life.