Threads of Fate

Chapter 4 ~ An Err in Judgement

    Azael stood at the foot of the dais where his father's throne was placed. As usual, King Mavron was slumped in it, hardly paying attention to those who were brought before him. He only muttered a short greeting and sent them on their way, leaving it to Azael to make them feel as though they were being attended to. Yet another one of the King's duties he had to take on.

    He had just finished speaking with one of the many Elders in attendance when the ballroom doors parted to admit a few final guests. The warm light swept across Tissaia's pale, exposed shoulders with a golden gleam, catching on the jewels encrusting the gown that swept down every curve of her body with perfect attentiveness.

    But as usual, it was her face that captivated him. The candles in the chandelier overhead illuminated her angular features, and he knew he wasn't the only one who was watching her. As Gaelen had said, she was beautiful. Not a fragile beauty like her mother, but a sharp, shrewd beauty.

    There was strength in her lean jawline and the full pert lips that always seemed to be fixed in a sneer when he was around. Her eyes were bright and wide, beset with thin brows that perveyed her every thought. Her nose was straight and proud, her cheekbones high and arched.

    Azael glanced at her brother briefly. Most claimed the pair to be perfectly identical, and generally speaking, they were, but he could see the differences where others could not. Talarion had a more artistic beauty compared to his sister. Tissaia's face was captivating, but Talarion's was begging to be captured.

    He had the same straight and proud nose, the same full lips, although his were slightly more downturned, giving him a thoughtful or brooding appearance rather than a snide one. His cheekbones were as sharp as Tissaia's, but his jaw was more squared and his brows a bit fuller. His eyes were also a little more narrow, and while Tissaia's were a dark sapphire, his were so dark they were almost more black than blue.

    A lilting laugh broke from Tissaia, drawing his attention back to her, then to the other male accompanying them. A frown tugged at his lips but Azael wiped it away. He cleared his throat, catching his father's eye, and bowed. King Mavron only waved in dismissal and Azael strode away.

    He stood taller as he approached the trio, not that he needed to. He was already almost a head taller than Tissaia. Talarion was only about an inch taller than his sister, and Kaius was the same height as her. The three Fae paused when they caught sight of his approach.

    Azael kept his gaze fixed on Tissaia alone. He offered her a tight smile in greeting. "I've been asked to introduce you to some of the newly appointed counselors, if you're not opposed to it."

    "Oh, very well," Tissaia sighed. She drew her arm out of Talarion's and Kaius released the other one.

    "I'll find you for a dance later," the male promised. Tissaia grinned back at him while Azael rested his hand on the fabric-clad portion of her lower back and guided her towards the counselors.

    Tissaia remained surprisingly agreeable throughout the introduction and as they continued to make their rounds. Her only remarks towards him were brief snippets of praise and a few sultry glances whenever anyone mentioned their relationship. Not that she was fooling anyone, of course. Likely all of Asterria was aware of the fact that he was avoiding marrying her, and she knew it too.

    As usual, they had been expected to open the first dance, and even now, they were waltzing together effortlessly as they had so many times before. The music swelled louder, finally enough to mask any words he wished to speak, and Azael took full advantage of it. "You're not wearing the necklace," he said.

    "I'm surprised that stands out to you more than my lack of a tiara," Tissaia answered. She twirled away from him and when he drew her back, raised her hand to lightly tap the crown atop his own head.