The Realm Protectors

Chapter 22 - Carter

The one thing I've learned about living in the Elemental Realm in the last three years is that elementals love to party. They go all out for every gathering, whether it's the Realm Academy Showcase, a Coronauguration, one of the High Arches birthday parties, or anything else. There's incredible food, blasting music, dazzling outfits, and of course lots of alcohol. And Capital is the sparkling center of it all.

By the time we arrived back at Arch Hall after the parade, the servants have completely redecorated. Fairy lights are strung across the ceiling of the Atrium, a DJ booth is set up against one wall, and party lights of all different colors light up the room. Music is already playing so loud that I can feel the beat through my feet. It's almost overwhelming.

The eight of us stick together for a while, sipping drinks. Tucker's sleeves are rolled up, showing off the new gray tattoos wrapping around his arms. They appeared when Enya crowned him earlier. I think I even heard him say that the logo of the High Arches is tattooed over his heart. Someday we'll have tattoos like that, if we are truly the Realm Protectors.

We've only been at the party for a half hour, and Tucker's already on his third drink. Servants weave through the crowd with trays of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Sparkling lemonade, fruit flavored drinks, and more that I can't even name. I think Enya and Nile have both had some of the alcoholic drinks – they technically can, since they're eighteen. That's one of the other differences between the Realm and the Otherworld.

People stand and talk for another hour. We get to meet the Five Star General of Capital's military, the Chief of Intelligence, and the Fire Chief. Some of the senators talk to us about how excited they are to be working with us throughout the years. Senator Darcio doesn't make an attempt at conversation.

Senators Sagira and Esmeray have been talking to Lyra and I for the past ten minutes.

"I only wish that you would've had the opportunity to mentor under the former arches." Senator Sagira says. "They were incredible."

"They certainly were." Senator Esmeray agrees. "Well, we better let you two get ready for the dance."

"Of course," Lyra nods. I notice that she seems a little more quiet than she was before. "The dance." The senators smile and walk back into the crowd of people.

"What's wrong?" I ask her. The DJ dims the lights and asks the crowd to clear the middle of the floor.

"I am not very good at dancing." She admits.

"You've never been to any of the school dances?" I ask her. Her curls wobble as she shakes her head. Wow, she's beautiful. "Don't worry. This dance is easy. It's slow. I'll help you." The DJ calls for the High Arches to meet on the dance floor. I offer Lyra my arm.

"Really?"

I nod. I takes a breath and hooks her arm around mine. The crowd parts as we make our way to the cleared dance floor. Enya and Nile step together, Faris offers his hand to Ciana, and Avani and Nikolina dance together. Lyra turns to me and I show her where to put her hands – on my shoulders – and I place mine on her waist.

"Is this alright?" I ask her. She holds still for a moment as if in thought and nods.

The music starts, a slow instrumental dance that I've heard before at Asavanra dances. I start slowly with Lyra, taking a few steps around the circle, letting her catch up. We spin slowly, revolving as us and the others move around the circle. Nile and Enya are as close together as possible, Faris is bright red and it looks like Ciana is guiding him, and Avani and Nik look bored, quite honestly. I look down at Lyra and meet her eyes – her gorgeous violet eyes. I just now notice that her cheekbones and the bridge of her nose are dusted with tiny silver freckles that sparkle light stars on her ebony skin.