Daughter of Aria

Daughter of Aria EPILOGUE

Everyone stared as the figure in glittering white was escorted up the castle steps, a glass of wine in her hand. Beside her, a beautiful male guided her, even holding the hem of her dress for her so she didn't trip. A courtier.

Glitter had been flicked onto her wings, marking her as a nobleman's daughter, instantly giving her exclusive access to the castle party. She smiled beneath the mask covering her eyes, beaming at the male who blushed at a pretty smile.

"This way," he said, as he led her down the decorated halls and past the throne room, whose ice doors were sealed shut, sentries posted outside. Music flitted towards her, along with the swish of dresses that came into view as they rounded the corner, the courtier bowing before returning to his post. She took a sip of her wine before she entered, a merry smile plastered on her face as she instantly went for the buffet table.

So many pastries, and meats, and mouth-watering delicacies had her nearly drooling, but she went for a piece of cheese instead, for there were eyes on her.

King Bryton and Queen Vera sat in regal elegance on thrones that were brought in, smiling down at their citizens. She had to blink, just to make sure she was seeing the king correctly. That he was actually smiling.

But the king and queen's eyes weren't on her, no—it was the Fae males around her, as they danced around the floor, whose gazes turned to her. As one finished, he bowed to his partner before bowing to her, asking for a dance.

Delight that wasn't faked filled her veins, as he took her gloved fingers that hid her callouses to the dance floor, and picked up the tempo.

She laughed as he spun her, true joy as her skirts swished around her, and the gems on her dress and mask sparkled. He wore an Arian soldier's uniform, yet had no wings. He was the only one, in fact, that didn't have wings as she glanced around the ballroom to the other sentries with uniforms.

But he led her with ease around the ballroom, even sweeping her off her feet at one moment, and for a second, she forgot why she was there, what she was about to do, as the music flitted through her veins and into her soul.

It was then that the horns sounded, and the music died down as the king and queen stood.

"What's happening?" she giggled into her partner's ear. He made the shh sound with his finger but smiled, just as revel drunk as she was.

"The Festival of Winds is about to start," he explained, and guided her to the open doors after the Majesty. "I have to go now," and he bowed before sprinting over to where the others stood, some clapping him on the shoulder as they smiled to her. Where a certain white-haired male froze when he saw her, and she turned away, hiding the devilish smile on her face.

Falon.

But he stayed put with the others, as she continued her way out the doors where the other females stood.

An announcer came out then, and began reciting some ancient history about the holiday that she had already read, and how as one, the power of Aria would sweep over the land, and mark the changing of the seasons.

She supposed that a sacred holiday would entail long speeches and what not, but she didn't expect it to go on this long. The king's ridiculous patience showed no annoyance, and as the ceremony came to close, the announcer said his final line.

It was then that she made her move, wedging herself between the other revelers until she stood in the central clearing that had been made for the king and queen, whose hands were outstretched.

"Pardon me, announcer, but I believe there is a tradition that you have forgotten."

She bowed low at the waist, her wings and dress scraping across the floor as she kept her head down. The announcer stiffened as he looked to the king, waiting for the blow to be delivered for messing up a sacred ceremony—but it never came.

Instead, the king told her to rise, and asked her a question. "And what tradition have we forgotten, noble?" he asked, putting an emphasis on the we, stating that if she was going to accuse the announcer she would be accusing him as well. He didn't even recognize her.

She cleared her throat.

"I did not hear the announcer explain anything about the blessing of the heir in his speech, your Majesty." The King of Aria's mouth hardened.

"Aria has no living heirs. I don't know where your father has been hiding you, child, but—"

"My father," she said quickly, daring to cut him off, "hid me from you, actually." A feline grin crossed her face, "And your heir, is very much alive," as she untied the mask and it clattered to the floor.

Gasps burst around her, as sentries rushed forward, the male who danced with her before now shock written on his face. 

Rya bowed, mockingly. "Hello, mother."