"Queens and commoners, princes and peasants, welcome to the party of the quincentury!"
For most people, receiving an invitation to the White King's Masquerade is an honor. Even attempting to attend is a chance to go down in history. But for Sol of M...
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We were stood in front of the Miriope tower, the colored crystals creating a kaleidoscopic display of light on us.
Earlier we had eaten a light breakfast of oatmeal with almonds and berries, which had passed in a blur of me sneaking glances at Ciel, and Fyn and Aester debating almonds versus berries.
"What are you smiling about?" Odelyn asked, eyeing me suspiciously with her arms crossed.
"Smiling isn't a crime Odelyn, you should try it sometime," I said, turning away from her, smile still firmly in place, as Fyn snorted.
"Ahem," Kostik coughed loudly, "if ladies are done with chatter we move?"
He waddled around, strutting forward into the tower.
"If laydies are done vith chatter," Fyn repeated in a ridiculous Kolyv accent, doddering forward after Kostik.
"My nyame is Kostik I hyave a stick," I said, joining her as Odelyn rolled her eyes.
We entered the Miriope tower, into a lavish purple room. The walls were crammed with doors of various sizes and designs and Kostik led us to one at the far right corner.
He raised his stick to push the handle and stepped back to allow us enter. Fyn stepped through the door before immediately dashing back out, teeth chattering.
"So s-so c-c-cold," she stammered, as River held a small fire beside her.
"Surviving Elimes and the Frost Plains is about endurance," Kostik explained, shutting the door, "but it is also about being prepared." He raised his stick again, this time pointing it at us.
I felt my clothes thickening and saw fabrics and threads whizzing around me, taking the shape of a thick cream winter coat, the boots on my feet sprouting fur lining. I raised my hands, which were now enclosed in fluffy orange gloves.
"You can do magic?" Ciel asked, adjusting his new winter clothes.
"In his dreams," Asteria replied regally, floating in behind us, while Kostik began to sulk.
My gaze drifted back to Ciel. He was wearing a long navy coat that complemented him perfectly and I gazed at his black gloved hands as he rubbed his neck. He turned briefly, caught my eye and smiled.
I turned away quickly, cheeks hot, as I felt the vial of water cool against my skin. I glanced back at him and his eye was still on me, gaze steady, intent. I smiled back.
"-and so I hope you understand because I will not repeat myself. Let's go," Kostik rumbled, staring directly as me, as my attention snapped back to him. I followed the others through the door, trying not to look as lost I felt while Ciel just laughed.
We stepped into a freezing tundra, the wind whipping around us as I buried deeper into my coat. I peered into the milky whiteness. The snow went on for miles, no end to the cold in sight.
