Crescent (Book 1)

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Time slows. Each second feels longer than the last. I'm glad that for a few hours at least, I have no obligations. No training. No reading. I lay in bed staring at nothing. Feeling nothing. Wanting everything. For the next few days, these will be the only moments I have to myself. So even when the carriages arrive after midmorning, I don't immediately move to get ready.

The storm blares wildly outside the bedroom window, and I watch as darkness falls... and two servants appear. Ceth and I will get ready while the lords and ladies settle in. Later, the real party begins. People from all over the realms will file in, and the drinking and dancing will start. I mindlessly follow the servants' quiet instructions. I'm stripped, scrubbed, plucked, and prodded, and by the time they're done with me, my skin is as red as a tomato in the armoire mirror.

Rouge and gold dust is brushed over my skin and they tug my hair into intricate curls as noise fills the room. I stop hearing the clatter of dishes or the tuning of instruments as the band finishes rehearsing. Everything fades away when Moira enters, dismissing the handmaids. She takes over my hair, her fingers nimble as she lays my tiara at the crown of my head and waves my hair back.

"You look beautiful," her eyes meet mine in the mirror. She musters a smile as she clasps the final piece of jewelry around my neck. It's a stunning plait of emeralds that hangs on a silver chain. The emeralds are the sibling to the ones embedded in the hilt of my blade and the cousin to the viridian gown I'm wearing. The green fabric is soft like silk, and a leather belt sheathes the blade at my waist, completing the look.

I will see them soon. After all this time... The promise has my skin thrumming with excitement. Fear. Will they even recognize me now?

"You look beautiful too," I tell her, admiring the sage flowers that peek out of her curled raven hair. Her dress is silver to match the rest of the servants, but rose pink colors her cheeks. Ajax appears at the door, brooding and quiet, but his presence means that it's time.

I nod my goodbye to Moira, knowing I'll see her later. Staring straight ahead, I take the arm he offers me. We slip down the marble halls unnoticed, but as soon as we come upon the grand staircase, Ajax pauses.

For once, I hear Ceth appear behind us. He's dressed in a fine black tunic, looking even more dapper than usual. Our sigil is finely stitched across his chest, and several chain necklaces are layered at his neck. In addition to his crown, I expect a smirk- a devious look my way- but instead, his eyes only drift over me. He looks at nothing in particular, so unlike himself that I almost wonder what's wrong.

"Brenna," he beckons me to his side. Ajax releases me, and we take the last few steps to the stairwell together. In the lowlight, I watch as Ceth takes in the swelling crowd below. The orchestra, the food, the people that have traveled from all over. The frown on his face only deepens, and for some reason, I squeeze his hand. He smiles. We take a breath, I swallow the lump in my throat, and we stride down the stairs.

We aren't technically the center of attention tonight, but our entrance has everyone looking. Ceth is king incarnate- royalty, regality- and I'm his dazzling bride-to-be. Smiling, floating down the stairs in perfect prose. The dancing and dining pauses for a few moments as everyone bows, clapping as we at last meet the crowd.

A few gazes float our way, both most turn and fixate on the couple that twinkles on the dance floor. The woman wears a ballgown of deepest green and mini white jewels flash as she gathers her dress and twirls in her partner's arms. He wears a suit of equal garish, though black- and green in certain lights. I recognize the couple immediately: Lord Cherith and Lady Sely.

I paint on a smile- one Ceth wears too. The smile of a host and hostess welcoming their guests, of a girl who loves a boy, of a lord and lady. The smile of a liar. Ceth and I make our way toward the couple of the night. Lady Sely's smile is the first thing I notice. Recognition blossoms in her eyes, and we both bow while our partners offer their own brief greetings. "So you're the jewel everyone's been buzzing about," she whispers once close enough to hear. "Absolutely radiant," she murmurs.