A Symphony of Ice and Shadow

Chapter 2

TW: Self Deprecation, anxiety, guilt, anxiety attack/panic disorder

Marion was right about one thing; Aelin always knew how to throw a party. Gold and emerald decorations hung from the ballroom archways. The tables were lined with emerald tablecloths and the tables were set with gold dishware. Marion, even though she was confident coming into the celebration, became aware that she was one of the only attendee's to not sport the Terrasen colors.

Marion, you are such an idiot. Marion thought to herself.

"M!" Marion heard her friend shout from behind her. She turned to find Asterin come barreling into her, giving her a hug. "Oh, thank the gods you are here" Marion said quietly. Asterin chuckled softly and pulled away from her friend. "M, the party has barely started" Asterin said, hooking her arm with Marion's and leading them further into the party. While being dragged, Marion sighed with relief when she noticed Asterin's dress. At least there was one other person not wearing green or gold.

Asterin wore a wine-red dress that had thick straps over her shoulders. The dress went all the way down to the floor and made her thin waist and hips flow with grace. Her black hair was styled into a knot on the back of her head. She wore charcoal around her eyes and red lipstick which popped against her light skin. Another aspect of her appearance that was heightened by the colors of her makeup and dress were her eyes. Asterin inherited her golden eyes from her mother, Manon Blackbeak.

Asterin had always been beautiful, but she never used beauty to manipulate others. She could use other items to her advantage, such as her iron nails and teeth. Marion could list so many items that would scare people into submission, and those items Asterin inherited from her mother. Marion could list a completely different set Asterin inherited from her father, the King of Adarlan, Dorian Havilliard.

Asterin had been one of the only people in Marion's life to understand what it was like to wield a large source of magic inside of her. Marion knew her mother tried to understand but could never fully comprehend the burden it was to carry power due to not having magical ability. Marion's father, Lorcan, on the other hand, knew the burden but had never been the "touchy feely" type. Asterin had been a happy medium.

However, Marion had not dipped into her power since the accident with her brother and only used her power out in the middle of the forest away from as many people as possible to drain her power when needed. "I know. But I am glad that you are here" Marion said back to her friend.

As the two of them approached the ballroom, they were joined by their families. Everyone Marion and Asterin grew up hearing stories about was here. Stories about how their parents defended Orynth from Erawan and Maeve, what their childhoods were like before the invasion of Adarlan throughout Erilea, and how they rebuilt the nations of Erilea after the war. Stories of how, even though there were strained relationships and different backgrounds, their parents would always love each other and be there for one another to whatever end. Marion knew she found true companionship in Asterin and her other friend Althea. Her friends who would burn down the world if someone hurt Marion. Friends Marion would willing do the same for.

As Marion and Asterin found themselves a place to chat, Marion noticed their parents and the older generation already took to the dance floor. Marion smiled as her mother and father danced. Dorian and Manon, Asterin's parents, were not too far from her own parents on the dance floor. Chaol and Yrene, Althea's mother and father, also danced among the older generation. But Rowan and Aelin both distinguished themselves in their outfits of gold and emerald and their crowns, clearly identifying them as the Queen and King Consort of Terrasen.

Asterin and Marion stood on the ballroom sidelines when Eva approached them smiling. Her shoulder-length blond hair curled into gentle waves around her face and her pine green eyes looked over the two of them. "Marion! Asterin! I am so glad I got to see you both before I left" Eva said smiled and hugged them both.

"We wouldn't miss it Eva" Marion said. "Is Josie going with you?" Josafin, Yrene and Chaol's eldest daughter, and Evalyn had been attached at the hip since they were in their early teens. What started as a friendship soon morphed into a relationship. As if on cue, Josie wrapped her arms around Eva's middle and kissed Eva's cheek. Eva and Josie stood at the same height when Josie wore healed shoes. Josie's curly caramel colored hair fell over her shoulder as she kissed Eva. Josafin was the spitting image of her mother, Yrene Westfall, whereas her two younger sisters took after their father Chaol Westfall. Marion noticed the way Josie's golden eyes lit up when she saw Eva. If Marion didn't know any better, she would have sworn that Eva and Josie were mates. However, Marion had limited knowledge about mating bonds due to only being a quarter Fae, and Eva never said anything about Josie being her mate. Maybe she didn't know or maybe she wanted to keep the matter private. Either way, when Marion pictured a mated pair, she always pictured her parents or Josie and Eva.

"I will be joining her in a couple of months. There are a few loose ends I need to tie before I move to another continent" Josie said. Josie and Eva kept talking about their plans in the Southern Continent and their plans to get into the Torre Cesme to learn healing magic. Josie's other sister Althea joined the conversation at some point. Althea was another close friend of Marion and Asterin. The three of them were as thick as thieves. Althea's brown hair was braided down her back and was wearing a light gold dress, which popped against her tan skin. Her brown eyes were as soft as ever. Marion always loved Althea's brown eyes more than hers. Althea's eyes reminded her of chocolate or just warmth and kindness. Whenever Marion looked in the mirror, she just saw darkness and death in her dark, almost black eyes. As the group of girls talked, Marion noticed Adrian and Josie's youngest sister Sasha walk into the ballroom. "Excuse me" Marion said, pushing past her friends and over to Adrian.

Marion walked across the ballroom, smiling. "Adrian" Marion said, smiling at her brother. Adrian moved slightly in front of Sasha, providing a protective wall for the girl. Adrian hoped Marion had not noticed the instinctive movement, but Marion did not miss the movement of her brother.

Got it. Need to protect the girl from the dangerous being in the room Marion thought bitterly. Marion tried to ignore the movement of her brother. "Marion" Adrian said back to his sister. Marion tried to move forward to hug Adrian, but he moved backwards and completely in front of Sasha. Marion smiled and said lightheartedly "I haven't seen my little brother in a year. Can't I say hello? It's not like I am going to bite."

"No, you will do much worse than that" Adrian spit at his sister. Marion just looked at him. "Adrian... I have apologized many times for what happened to Sage. You know I cannot always control..." Marion started and then Adrian interrupted with "Yes, Marion I know. That is what I am afraid of."

"Adrian!" Marion heard her mother say from behind her. It broke Marion's heart to be the reason Adrian did not come home to see his parents and she wondered if her parents had resentment towards her for that reason.

She was the one who tore her family apart. She was the one to blame for her parents not being able to see their son Marion thought.

She felt someone grab her hand, actually two someone's. Her eyes flicked down to her hands and then up to the two faces who could always calm her down during one of her spirals of thought. She first looked at a tan skinned face with brown eyes and brown hair. Althea had always been the softest of the trio. Marion knew that if she needed a shoulder to cry on, Althea would always be there for her and have chocolates ready once they were done being emotional. Asterin was grabbing Marion's other hand and Asterin was the one to go to when a girl needed to, in lack of better words, fuck shit up. "Your magic is coming out. Maybe we should take a walk" Asterin said quietly to her friend.

Marion looked down and sure enough she could see the darkness swirl around her wrists and arms, stroking her gently and giving her a reminder that she did have death magic, like her father. Marion gasped and backed away from her friends. But her friends, thank the Gods for them, do not waiver and did not let her go. "M, let's go for a walk" Althea said gently. Marion nodded, agreeing some time outside would do her some good. The three of them started to walk outside as Marion heard Adrian say "Okay, yeah, run away, Marion! Like you always do! But you cannot run away from the monster inside of you! You cannot run away from what you did."

Marion flinched at the comment made by her brother. She feels Asterin turn around and said "Adrian, if it seems too dark in here that's because you have your head too far up your ass." The trio finally arrived at the entry hall of the castle and made their way into the garden that surrounded the castle in Orynth. Slipping into the darkness gave Marion the chance to finally take a deep breath and relax. Marion had always felt comfort in the darkness and that was what scared her the most.