Crescent (Book 1)

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Over candlelight at dinner, I try my best to hide my queasiness. After our trip to Cold's Summit, Ceth decided we'd have a private meal in the study while the ambassadors ate downstairs. I push food around my plate and only half-listen to what Ceth is saying. Moira sits across from us, quill in her hand, listening intently as Ceth prattles on.

"Everything has to be perfect," Ceth adds, and Moira ticks a box on her parchment. Her notes detail the progression of the gala: How Ceth and I will enter, where we'll go, where we'll dance, what we'll eat and where. There's just one question nagging me.

"What about the rite?" I glance at Ceth, taking in the details of his black tunic, his near-silver hair, the crown at his brow. Our eyes meet and he assesses me before answering.

"Each night will end with the rite. You and I- as well as the Lord and Lady of each realm- will offer our blood. Just a prick... and when it's all over on the sixth night, magic will be restored."

My mind wanders to the magic in Cold's Summit today... the pulley failing, the guards blank faces... Maybe I imagined it. "Will it hurt?"

Ceth smiles, an easy expression as he downs a gulp of wine from his goblet. "Hardly, love."

"I won't have to do anything else?"

"Not a thing."

I clear my throat, pushing my plate aside. "And when will I see them?" He chuckles, shaking his head and casting a glance toward Moira. Her head is low, and she says nothing, so I reach across, gripping his arm to draw his attention back. "Ceth."

"When everyone has left and you've fulfilled the end of your bargain, my dear, I'll fulfill mine." He looks down at my hand, at his ring on my finger. "Is that what you've been wanting to hear?" I don't answer, but I hold onto the hope alight in my chest. So close. I'm so close to having them again. "The rather unfortunate part about all this is that... things have changed at your sweet home in Bayport. Once all this is over, you'll have your family, your riches. Where will you go?"

I don't recognize the look on his face. Curiosity? Sympathy maybe? I truly can't tell, and my heart clenches all the same. It's almost like he cares. Like he wonders if I've thought about how I'll start over. The truth is that I don't have a clue. Coming to terms with that is becoming harder and harder to grasp.

I'm grateful when the study doors open and admit Dominic. He smirks, much like he always does when he sees me, and nods his greeting toward his parents. "I didn't know we were having family dinner," he jokes. He takes the spot between Moira and Ceth, propping his feet on the corner of the table as he leans back. "What did I miss?"

"We're sorting out the final details." Ceth rubs his chin casually. "Speaking of, where are you planning on being during the ceremony?"

"I thought he'll be with me," Moira speaks up, her voice a question.

"He's not a boy anymore," Ceth hisses. "He should know how these things work."

Nic shrugs as he casts a look my way. Something sinister lies in his eye, but I can't quite name the emotion. "Someday, I'll be performing the ceremony. It's only fitting that I be there to see it."

Moira's shoulders shrink, but I keep my mouth shut at the look that passes between father and son. Ultimately, Ceth gives his infamous grin, standing and adjusting his tunic. "It's settled." He crosses behind me, squeezing my shoulders and leaning down. "I'll see you in bed."

We both know he won't. He says it to get under Moira's skin, and from the look pinching her features, I can tell it does. Ceth bids us all adieu, and I don't bother waiting before excusing myself for the evening.