Lienna.
After slipping into the stunning velvet blue ball gown, its intricate embroidery shimmering in the soft light, Mara helped me choose complementary jewelry a delicate silver necklace with a moonstone pendant and earrings that sparkled like stars.
I approached the mirror for a final assessment, smoothing out the gown’s folds. The velvet hugged my curves, and the blue deepened the turquoise of my eyes. My hair fell freely over my shoulders, framing my face and making me appear several times younger, my lips shining with a gloss Mara had applied on it. Satisfied, I nodded at my reflection, twirling the dress and performing a curtsy.
Mara smiled, her eyes shining with pride. “You look breathtaking, Aiman. The moon goddess shines through you.” She said and I glanced at her, returning her smile. I didn’t know why, but I was starting to enjoy her calling me by my birth name, Aiman.
“Thank you. I’ll be on my way now. ”
“Of course. Make sure to have some fun.” She said and I chuckled.
“I’ll do my best.” I muttered and she nodded, gazing at me affectionately. I took a deep breath, nerves fluttering in my chest, and proceeded out of the room. The soldier waited patiently, his expression formal. However, as his gaze met mine, his eyes widened slightly, and I felt my heart skip a beat. Did he also think I looked good? Nervousness swept over me, sending a chill down my spine.
The soldier’s composure returned swiftly, and he motioned forward. “Shall we, Lady Lienna?”
I nodded and followed him, my heels clicking on the stone floor. The empty halls seemed to amplify our footsteps, the only sound aside from the distant music and murmurs from the courtyard.
As we walked, I glanced out the windows, catching glimpses of the festive crowd. Lanterns cast a warm glow, and laughter carried on the evening breeze. My hands instinctively balled into fists beside me, resisting the urge to smooth out my dress.
The soldier’s pace slowed, and we approached the grand doors leading to the banquet hall. He pushed them open, revealing a sea of faces, all turning toward me. The music swelled, and I felt my heart pounding in my chest.
With a gentle nod, the soldier gestured for me to enter. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and stepped forward, ready to face the shifter kings and their assembly.
As I stepped into the banquet hall, shocked gasps erupted from various corners, rippling through the crowd like a stone cast into a still pond. Widened eyes met mine, and murmurs spread, a gentle hum of astonishment and curiosity. The air thickened with attention, all focused on me.
At the far end of the hall, the shifter kings sat majestic, their gazes fixed intently on me. My heart pounded even harder, sweat trickling down my spine as I met their piercing stares. Dressed in their ceremonial attires intricate embroidery, gleaming silver threads, and polished gemstones they looked regal and dashing, their rugged beauty tempered by refined elegance.
I continued my steady pace, people parting to clear a path as I made my way toward the kings. The silence grew heavier, the ringing in my ears intensifying with each step. Faces blurred around me, their features indistinct, but their fascination palpable.
As I approached the throne-like chairs, I took a deep breath, steeling myself. With practiced grace, I performed a deep curtsy, my skirts unfolding like a velvet waterfall. Bowing my head, I greeted the kings, my voice steady and clear, belying the turmoil within.
“Your Majesties, you summoned me. I am here.”
My words echoed through the hall, and the kings’ gazes seemed to bore into my very soul. I held my pose, hands clasped together, and waited for their response, my heart pounding out a rhythm of anticipation and suspense.
“You may rise,” Caspian’s deep voice boomed through the hall, echoing off the stone walls.
I lifted my head, meeting the shifter kings’ gazes once more. For a moment, something flickered in their eyes admiration, gratitude, or perhaps something more. Something that had my pulse racing and mouth drying. Caspian stood, his movements fluid, and turned to face the crowd behind me.
“Everyone gathered here,” he began, his voice carrying across the hall, “I would like you to join me in thanking this young lady for her courageous contribution in the war and for helping to bring a century-old prophecy to life! Thanks to her, we can proudly say the moon goddess is back back in our midst once more and we couldn’t be happier!”
The hall erupted into excited cheers, applause thundering through the space. I flinched slightly, overwhelmed by the sudden outpouring of enthusiasm. Turning, I saw faces alight with joy, smiles stretching from ear to ear. My heart began to race, and for the umpteenth time tonight, tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. I blinked them back, letting out a shuddering breath.
Caspian’s gaze returned to mine, his expression softer than the others. “Thank you for your help,” he murmured, his voice low and sincere, meant only for my ears. “We wouldn’t have made it out of that battleground without you.”
My entire face grew hot, and I hastily lowered my head, feeling a blush spread across my cheeks. “Thank you so much for your kind words… ” I muttered, unable to say anything else as emotions chocked me up.
“You can go now,” Caspian added, his tone gentle. “Do well to enjoy the festivities.”
With one final curtsy, I turned and left their presence, the kings’ gazes lingering on me like a warm breeze.
No sooner had I stepped away than people began to surge forward, eager to congratulate me. I paused, responding to their kind words as best I could, staying kind and courteous despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.
“Thank you, Lady Lienna,” someone said, grasping my hand. I turned to the unfamiliar face, giving her the brightest smile I could muster.
“You’re too kind.” I said, pulling my hands and bowing mu head slightly.
“We’re honored to have fought alongside you,” another voice added and I bowed, realising it may have come from a soldier who fought with me in the battleground. I couldn’t recognize most of them anymore outside of their armor and drab clothes.
More and more people came to meet me, thanking me while others tried to initiate a conversation. As much as I did my best to stay kind and courteous, it quickly became overwhelming. Every smile I forced, every handshake I accepted, drained me.
It looked like the more people I talked to, the more interested others became. Before I knew it, I had a small crowd before me, each person trying to ask their own questions. I searched for an opening to escape the scene, but there was none.
As I exchanged pleasantries, I began to notice that not a lot of people were genuinely happy for me. I wasn’t one of them – a shifter – but a mere human. Insults veiled as compliments stung: “You’re surprisingly brave for a human” or “We didn’t expect someone like you to make such a difference.” kept getting repeated and I bit back my retorts, desperate not to appear unaffected.
Just when I thought I’d suffocate under the attention, the crowd suddenly fell silent. I turned to see what had captured their attention, and my eyes widened in surprise. Hermes stood behind me, his eyes twinkling with mischief and something more.
I instantly knew he was up to no good. Stretching out his hand, he beckoned to me, a smug smirk on his face. “Would you like to dance with me, Lienna?” The words slipped out of his lips, catching me completely off guard. I stiffened, staring at him in shock.
What the!?