Descendants of the Kings (Book 2)

Ch 56: A distraction

Once she'd left the throne throne room, Ella was taken by another maid down a series of labyrinthian corridors, until they reached a set of double doors. A nerean courtier greeted her there, ushering her into the ballroom.

Upon entering the ballroom, Ella immediately understood why it was considered the grandest hall in all of Faerie.

The ballroom soared five stories high, so gargantuan, that Ella had to crane her neck back to find the domed glass of the ceiling. Hundreds of glass lanterns and candles hung from every corner, casting the room into a vibrant golden glow. Marble-carved balconies jutted from all five stories, from which guests could be seen mingling.

From somewhere in the fourth story, an orchestra played a lively tune, charmed so that their sound would carry all around the massive room.

Acrobats hung from silks on the walls, contorting their bodies into all sorts of shapes. Pixish dancers swayed, entertaining nobles with their beautiful, writhing forms.

The hall was packed already, people spilling from all corners, chattering on balconies, mingling by the trestle tables, sitting in the small lounges set out by the edges of the rooms.

It was an assault of music, voices and scents. Ella barely had time to take it all in before Briar was sweeping down on her no sooner than she'd entered.

"Oh, you're here, good," Ella sighed as they linked arms and went further into the fray. "I was thinking I'd get lost in this crowd."

"They wouldn't let me wait for you, they're strict about not having crowds form," Briar said apologetically, manoeuvering them past a pack of mingling guests. "They prefer to have guests only in the ballroom and the adjacent halls."

Ella thought of that mean-looking guard and how stern he'd been when she'd dawdled for just a moment. It seemed they did take those matters seriously. That would make it difficult to snoop for the statue later on. She'd have to find a way around that.

"Well, how was it?" Briar prodded, finding a small nook for them on the sides of the ballroom.

"Una is a doll," Ella cooed, laughing at Briar's scowl.

"I told you. She is sweet as pie when she needs to be," Briar muttered between her teeth. "She'll likely be all over you today, trying to get you into her little circle of friends. Ooh, I hate her. Can't have anything without her trying to take it from me."

"Too bad, I am not something to be had or stolen," Ella said, squeezing her arm. "I choose my friends, and unfortunately for her, I am rather picky."

Briar rested her head on Ella's shoulder, sighing. "At least someone is loyal."

Ella frowned, opening her mouth to further question that statement. Briar, however, was quicker. "What about the others?"

Recognising it was a lost cause, Ella humoured her. "Moira hates me," she answered bluntly.

"Moira hates everyone," Briar said. "Do not take it to heart. It is her constant state—unimpressed and irked by everyone's presence."

"Is she the heir?"

"No. Not yet, at least," Briar said, dipping her head at a man who waved at her. "In Nerea, the ruler is hand-picked by the current Queen, regardless of birth order."

Ella arched her brows, urging Briar to explain. "It is customary for Nerean monarchs to have harems. The Monarch picks concubines from the most prominent noble families. It is an honour to be chosen. It is even more of an honour to be chosen as the official consort. Usually, this is the one whose child goes on to become heir."