One Between the Stars

Chapter 36

 As Ionia and Carson were led through the corridors to meet the Matron, Carson ran down the plan he and Ionia had discussed just a few hours prior.

"While we're here, it's probably best not to mention that you're a gallivanter," she said as she braided her hair. "Considering that they betrayed the warlocks."

Carson nodded. He fiddled with the strap of the sheath of his solar sword; his fingers seemed strangely numb, though he couldn't pinpoint why. Why was he nervous about going out into the city? He'd never been one to shy away from people.

They met the Matron in the courtyard, where she was waiting, flanked by several guards. None carried weapons, at least not traditional ones; some had small knives or rods, but others were completely unarmed.

Well, I suppose not completely, he thought. When you had abilities like the warlocks, you didn't need a weapon. You were one. He wondered if they all could do the things that Arthre could; move metal with their minds and control the very atoms in the air. It gave him a chill. For the first time in a long while, he felt very powerless, despite the solar sword strapped across his back.

Ionia had caught on early to the mentioning of Carson as her 'guard.'

"Are you serious?" he asked. "I've been a gallivanter for years. I've seen more of the galaxy than they have. I have a code!"

"It would be a good cover." She said. "Viviane has already assumed it, so it won't seem suspicious."

He really had to admit that, as was often the case, Ionia was right, so he had reluctantly agreed to the front. So he was silent, an unmovable force at her side or just behind her as she met the Matron. Her movements were fluid, graceful, as if her body was made of water.

He'd resisted the urge to stare since they had left the room; the servants had outfitted her like one of their own people; in silken robes that billowed and flowed around her, coming to the knees. She looked almost as if engulfed in a cloud, her feet adorned in little jeweled slippers and her hair braided up with jewels.

They stopped to greet Viviane as the gates to the hover were opened. Ionia swooped into a graceful curtsy. "Your grace. It's an honor to accept your invitation to show us your city."

"As it is my honor to show you the great pride I have in it." Viviane smiled, inclining her head in respect. "Tell me, has your stay been well?"

"Your hospitality is that of a dream," she beamed. "I had a chance to meet your daughter. Charming young girl. She was very kind."

"Was she?" Something tightened in the Matron's tone. Ionia caught it, he could tell in the slight quirk of her eyebrows. "Well, since you enjoy her company, I'm sorry that she was not able to make it - "

"Oh, hello."

Carson turned to see the princess strolling across the courtyard, Yvain behind her. She was wearing robes of yellow and gold in a similar fashion to Ionia. The whole thing flared out around her like a sail when she walked to them. A light smile marked her mouth. She bowed to her mother.

Viviane's grey eyes iced over, though she smiled with a sort of fake warmness. "There you are. I almost thought you weren't going to make it."

"I wouldn't miss the welcoming of the cosmically blessed one for anything." Her grin widened as she shared it with Ionia. Carson couldn't help but admit there was something very much alike between the two; something in the intelligent look behind the eyes, well-hidden amidst the charm and surface politeness.

"Well, then, we shall be off." Viviane led the way to the hover, where she was given a hand to be lifted in. Yvain helped Nimue in and while they had a moment alone, Ionia caught Carson's eyes.