Descendants of the Kings (Book 2)

Ch 58.2: Fangless

The dance ended, and the groups began to disband, heading for the refreshment table where Briar and Ella were sitting. Una, surrounded by her friends, was the first in line.

Ella could physically feel as Briar began to shrink, dropping her gaze to the glass in her hands, shoulders hunching.

"Don't you dare make yourself small," Ella whispered fervently. "Take up the space you deserve, Bee. Do not give her power over you."

Briar nodded, taking a deep breath and pushing her shoulders back. Ella covertly squeezed her hand, reassuring. Una and her gaggle of friends surrounded the table. They grabbed glasses of mead, laughing amongst themselves.

Una made a show of acting surprised as she spotted Briar. "Oh, Briar! You're still here. I thought you'd gone home. You didn't look too well earlier," she pouted, eyes dancing maliciously.

"Well, here I am," Briar mumbled, her smile as stiff as marble.

Una leaned in, her voice dripping condescension as she spoke, loud enough to be heard by everyone around.

"You know, you shouldn't be too hard on yourself. I know big parties like these must be a lot for you, what with you used to being holed up in that little home of yours, surrounded by all those animals and hay. Give yourself grace, I'm sure you're doing the best you can."

Her courtiers cooed sympathetically, their snickers grating, their eyes gleaming like wolves circling a bleeding lamb.

Ella could feel Briar shaking. But, she kept her smile intact and shook her head. "Thank you for your concern, but I am fine," she answered primly, managing to make her voice come out even. "You shouldn't concern yourself, Una. I'm sure you have better things to worry about."

It didn't seem like much, but Ella knew just how much it took for Briar to even remain in the same room as Una. The fact that she could keep her chin up filled her with an overwhelming surge of pride and affection.

She squeezed Briar's arm discreetly and fixed Una with a sharp smile. "Quite. It is so kind of you to check in, Princess Una. Are you so generous with all guests, or is it only Briar who gets this special attention from you?"

Una's smile slipped just an inch, but it notched back up just as quickly. She laughed airily. "Everyone, of course. I am a hostess, after all. I must make sure all my guests are satisfied. Speaking of which,"

She looked at Ella significantly, not before giving Briar another malicious glance. "Princess Elowen. Elowen," she repeated, her tone conspiratorial as if they were bosom friends. "May I call you that?"

"If you insist," Ella answered drolly. Una didn't seem to register her lack of interest, she continued babbling.

"How are you liking the ball? I haven't had the chance to speak with you personally. Why, I've just been so busy, I've barely had time to sit," she laughed, self-effacing, a paltry attempt at charm.

"You must meet my friends. Lord Fiel of the Terrel court," she signalled the tall gentleman she'd been dancing with earlier. "Lord Avan of House Galiel," she waved at a dark-haired man with long braids, then, to two similar-looking women with identical halos of yolk-yellow curls, "And my ladies in wait, Lady Vera and Lady Adea, daughters of the Duchess of Nyssa."

The four of them were glossy and pretty, bedecked in gleaming scales, pearls, and seal furs. Mean and beautiful, their eyes hollow, their laughs grating like blade on blade.

"Charmed," Ella answered dryly, as they tripped over themselves to pay their respects. Beside her, Briar was as stiff as stone.

"Aren't they lovely? They are my courtiers," Una said with pride, a spoilt child eyeing her possessions. "You should always care to have good people by your side. The right sort of people," she emphasised.