"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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"Yeah, what's up?" I asked, concerned, as Ele wrung his hands out.
"Eleusis of Alcane," River shouted, bursting into the room, "I know you did not leave me alone with Asriel."
I laughed. No wonder Ele looked so disturbed. I'm sure Asriel had put him and River through their paces more than once.
"He's evil," River groaned, dragging a reluctant Ele out of the room.
"Later, okay?" I smiled, heading into my own room.
I grabbed the sword, flicking it like Ceres had when she'd given it to me and smiling to myself.
A smile that Aella quickly wiped off my face with another sparring session. This time, however, when we were done I was... buzzing.
Aella smiled at me, and said "Well it looks like someone still has some energy. Once more?"
And I said yes. So we went again. I answered her questions about Fyn and her betrothal, about Pelias and his illegitimacy.
"And Syrion?"
I faltered. What about Syrion?
"His father hates Stars," I said, as I just managed to avoid a blast.
"What else?"
I didn't have much to say, I didn't have anything to say, actually.
"I think we're done here," Aella said, her hazel eyes crinkled in a smile.
She did not bother to wait for a response, instead sweeping into the now dim corridor.
As I followed I saw Asteria making her way towards us after exiting another room down the hall, Prince Syrion following behind her.
We were about to walk past each other when I spoke.
"Hello, Impavid."
He turned, eyebrow quirked. "Fancy seeing you here, sun-not-star."
I smiled and we fell into step with each other. But then I fell silent. What exactly was I trying to do?
He broke the silence. "Come on, I want to show you something."
My mind flicked back to Ele and I frowned, worried. But Prince Syrion didn't look afraid or anxious like Ele had, if anything he looked slightly impatient.
We walked through the glass glass corridors, and ascended the imperial staircase, into the foyer.
It was getting late, I noted, as the sky began to fade to a navy blue.
"Don't worry, we won't be long," he said, gazing briefly at the darkening sky.
Rather than passing through the double doors at the end of the room, he stopped by a small wooden door. It was carved into one of the beams that crossed over the room such that if you weren't looking for it you wouldn't find it.
