The Truth Over The Wall

Chapter 42

Fiona had fallen.

It was probably near winter outside but within the walls of King Matthew's palace it was as warm as a summer day as people celebrated.

Marabeck had been won back. Tafah had been reclaimed and Leopold's house was established once more in its rightful place.

Dominic cheered along with everyone else as King Matthew halted at the end of the staircase with Hanalea on his arm and announced his niece to the room as, "Princess Hanalea Claire of Tafah the dragon slayer! Soon to be queen."

A roar went through the room and the celebrations seemed to redouble. The fires flashed bright and high in the grates as the dancers wore away the floor.

The air was dizzy with joy and each breath was relaxed and free. As hard as it was to believe, Fiona had finally been beaten. And new allies had been gained.

Dominic raised his eyebrows questioningly at Emery as he glided down the dance floor with Freya, the witch that had fought along them.

Emery shrugged at him and merely spun Freya away to the other end of the room. Dominic threw his head back and laughed as another song started. Hanalea caught his eye just then and frowned at him. Why was he standing by himself, she wanted to know. He made to walk towards her and explain himself except just then Sir Richard entered with his entire family and Hanalea flew into the crowd to greet them.

Dominic greeted Sir Richard as well and was introduced to Alistair's sisters, Calliope and Daphne. They were all still exchanging pleasantries when Daphne asked, "I don't see Amara."

"She's here somewhere," Hanalea said looking around and then smiling sadly continued, "by herself."

Alistair met Dominic's gaze and gestured to something above them with this head. Dominic looked up and saw something red-brown disappear at one of the windows.

***

Amara sat on the ledge of the gallery that looked into the ball room. Resting her chin on her fists she looked on in wonder at the beautiful colors and the bright lights. She had never been to a ball before.

It seemed a world apart to her even though it would only take her a few steps to join everyone below. She sighed wistfully as laughter drifted up to her, "Everyone looks so happy, Fobs."

"They are happy." Dominic replied.

Amara jumped guiltily when she heard him. She turned to first look at him and then glare at the cowering vixen behind him as she huffed, "You are a little traitor."

Fobos hid her face beneath her paws and then looked up at Dominic imploringly.

"Don't drag Fobos into this." Dominic told her and he turned to say something to Fobos that was out of Amara's hearing. She continued to glare after Fobos even when she saw her tail disappear around the corner. Dominic started to speak and brought her gaze back to him as he said,

"It's a celebration, Amara! We ought to be celebrating. Why are you hiding up here in the first place? Don't you want to join them?"

Amara opened her mouth and closed it. "I," she said twisting the fabric of her skirt, "I want to."

Dominic sighed and walked over. He sat down on the ground before her and watched her stare out into the ballroom with a confused expression on her face, "Then why don't you?" he asked her gently.

She turned to look at him and shook her head, "I can't. I don't know how."

Dominic tilted his head and asked her worriedly, "You've forgotten how to be happy?"