CHAPTER 919: FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

So distracted was I with Luke that I fell asleep that night with a blush on my face, not even thinking of more than my promise for the morrow. But when the maids awakened me the next day, they were quick to remind me of my other obligation. It was the day of the Ellenwinter Banquet.

I spent the entire morning putting in a few desperate hours practicing with Anrynth, more determined than ever to dance with Luke. Even if I could do nothing more than that with the apostle, he deserved that much, at least.

Preparations for the banquet itself began shortly after noon. The maids spared no effort on my hair and dress, arguing for several minutes between the elegant red and gold dress Elaine had given me for formal celebrations and one of my Duskwood dresses. Ignoring my bashful protests, they dressed me in it and brushed my hair until it shone. I rejected their offer of wearing any accessories, wearing only the simple spatial ring Thron had given me on my finger and Luke’s Wayward Compass around my neck. The thick, golden ring hung nestled between my breasts, framed by the narrow, embroidered hem of my neckline.

"I don’t think this is a good idea," I mumbled, giving a little twirl before the mirror, admiring the sheen of my hair.

"You look beautiful!" one of the maids protested.

"Yeah, but..." I picked at my skirt, lifting it and letting it fall. "I never practiced in this kind of dress."

"You mean dancing?" the oldest maid frowned, giving my dress a critical look. After a moment, she shrugged. "It shouldn’t make a difference. The skirt is just as long as an elvish style, but with the slits, it’s even more maneuverable. It has the added benefit of accommodating your tail, so you won’t have to worry about entangling it in the fabric."

"That’s true," I said slowly, tugging the narrow neckline closed, "But...it’s not too much, right?"

"You’re not an elf, nor should you pretend to be," Elise said from the doorway.

I squeaked, whirling with a swish of my dress. "Elise! How long have you been there!"

Elise smiled, slipping through the door and into the room. She wore a white and gold dress, with white lace slippers peaking out from beneath the long, ruffled skirt. The blouse was open at the front, tied with golden trim at mid-chest and base of the neck, showing a little more skin than she usually did.

"You should listen to your maids," she said, looking me over. "At an occasion like this, it’s better not to try to blend in, as you’ll only draw the wrong kind of attention. Besides, dressing in Blacksand fashion will only emphasise our alliance with them all the more."

My face fell. "Politics, again."

She tilted my chin up, smiling. "Don’t be like that. Just because I have ulterior motives doesn’t mean you can’t be genuine. You just worry about enjoying yourself, alright? Aerion and I can do the rest."

"You really rely on him."

"I’m relieved he’s back now. Things always went so much smoother when I had an actual elvish noble at my side. The houses talk a lot about nobility, but at the end of the day, I’ll only be a human interloper." She smiled bitterly. "Reminds me of Brithlite, actually. This time, though, I’m on the other end."

"It just goes to show mortals are really the same, no matter what kinds of lines they draw. Except us," I whispered, running a hand over my horn.

"Even if most demonkin tend to be violent and unruly, you should know better than to characterize everyone like that. Take Luke, for example. He’s shown that even the most ambitious among them have a gentle, caring side. Everyone has personality differences, but that doesn’t define their relationships. It shouldn’t, at least. I hope the elves will come to see that before it’s too late, and they end up like Brithlite."

"Me too. And thanks," I said, giving her a smile. "Do you really think I look okay?"

"Hmm," she eyed me critically once more, then reached over, grabbing the garland of white and red flowers from the vanity stand. I lowered my head, and she slipped it over the tips of my horns, letting it rest on my crown. "Now it’s perfect. If this doesn’t make his heart skip a beat, nothing will."

"Elise..." I mumbled, a warm flush rising up my neck.

"You were thinking about it." She winked at me, dancing back to the door, and held out her hand. "Let’s go. We don’t want to be late."

I gave my maids a grateful courtesy and took her hand, letting her pull me down the hallway. There was a bounce in her step and a twinkle in her eye that eased the butterflies in my stomach.

"You’re really looking forward to this," I said, unable to help a small smile.

"Of course! It’s been forever since I’ve had a chance to attend an event like this. Blacksand was alright, but everyone was so somber. The last time had to be Brithlite, before the war started. I’ve been itching for a good dance."

"That makes two of us," I said.

The hallway opened up, ending abruptly in a balcony. We slowed at the top of the grand staircase, overlooking the entrance lobby. The others were gathered together, talking as servants fussed about, making the final preparations. R’lissea, dressed in an emerald, high-necked elvish dress, was speaking with Selena, gesturing animatedly with her hands. Aerion was on his own, wearing his finest silks, leaning up against the wall. He noticed us first, giving me and Elise an appreciative nod. Fyren stood in the alcove beneath the opposing staircase, watching me with a dark, unreadable expression. He wore his armor, his massive sword strapped to his back. I hadn’t exactly expected anything different, but it was confirmation that he didn’t plan on making a personal appearance.

Across the way, Korra wore a shimmering blue gown, the same she’d worn at the Divine Throne’s banquets, with a skirt layered with white ruffles like the crest of waves. Gayron, at her side, wore a simple elvish coat and pants, black with red trim. Beside them was Luke, looking similar to Gayron, save that his clothing was set with a deep violet, a few shades darker than his eyes. Luke’s hair was, as usual, something of a mess, giving him a roguish look.

As if sensing my gaze, he turned and looked up, his eyes finding me atop the stairs. His breath hitched, his eyes widening slightly. He stared, unmoving, and a thrill went through me as I saw the faint pink that colored his cheeks, and his tail stiff and rigid. I smiled shyly and gave him a small wave, tail swishing gently behind me.

Smiling for some reason, Elise took me by the arm, half-guiding, half-pulling me down the stairs. My steps felt lighter than they had in weeks, a smile forming on my face that was all my own. I made sure to keep my eyes forward, but couldn’t help sneaking a peek at Luke again, my blush growing warmer. He hadn’t moved from where he stood, and I found it difficult to breathe properly, my heart thrumming in my chest.

"I’d say you have nothing to worry about," Elise whispered, giving my arm a playful squeeze.

I gave her a weak nod as we reached the bottom of the stairs, finding myself suddenly before Luke. I ran a hand over my horn, not quite able to meet his gaze.

"You look..." he started, but seemed to be at a loss for words.

"She’s a beauty, isn’t she?" Korra said, grinning as she nudged him with her elbow.

"R-right," he said, recovering, smiling at me. "You look lovely, Xiviyah."

"Thank you," I whispered, my tail flicking and curling.

Aerion cleared his throat, moving to the front of our party. I gravitated closer to Luke, tentatively grasping his sleeve. He smiled and offered me his arm, and I happily took it.

"This evening marks a pivotal point," Aerion said, looking over our group. "It serves as a celebration of our victory against the Risen, a chance to reconnect old house alliances, and, most importantly, one of our last chances to make an impression on Duskwood. In three weeks’ time, the Verdant Tribunal will convene to determine the fate of Sylvarus. None of you are to do anything that might jeopardize our position."

"You speak as if that’s expected," Luke said.

Aerion’s eyes swept over us, a slight frown appearing on his face as he noticed the way my hand instinctively tightened on Luke’s arm. "Sentiments are shifting, but demonkin appearing at a banquet of such prominence will undoubtedly invite criticism. Please, for everything your allies have worked for here, don’t make a scene."

Luke frowned, but didn’t retort, though I could feel the tension in the arm I held. Korra poked him in the side, grinning when he glared at him.

"Hear that? He actually said Please," she said, "And if I can resist killing anyone that insults Xiviyah, so can you."

He let out a sigh, but nodded, some of the tension in his arm easing. I squeezed it reassuringly, and he patted my hand with a small smile.

"Fine, if you insist," he said, patting my hand. "But never ask this of me again. I’m tired of constantly looking the other way. It won’t happen again."