CHAPTER 922: SEPARATED

After nodding farewell to Lord Terath, Luke and I followed after R’lissea and Esvitt, my arm laced through his. The archway opened into another chamber, but it was far smaller than the other galleries. It formed a perfect circle, some three hundred feet across and only fifty feet tall. Two levels of balconies adorned the walls, with a gently sloping staircase winding around the exterior like a spiral shell. Faceted mirrors covered the walls, reflecting and multiplying the dozens of floating crystal orbs of light, making the room feel as open and endless as Haven.

Elvish couples waltzed across the polished marble floor, dancing to soft, melodic strings that echoed from the lofty ceiling. Most were older elves, distinguished and poised, moving with a slow, deliberate grace. The music was live, played by a group of elves on a raised stage against the far wall.

I quickly found R’lissea and Esvitt dancing on the edge of the floor. They stared into each other’s eyes, their grips on each other tight, and their movements flustered. Her countenance glowed with a shy yet radiant smile, while the mismatched eyes of her partner looked utterly mesmerized.

"That’s new. Who’s the elf?" Elise’s voice came from behind us.

I whirled, gripping Luke’s arm in surprise, to see Elise standing with her arms folded, wearing an amused smile.

"He kinda seems familiar," she continued, brow furrowing.

"He’s a whitemarsh. The commander introduced us when we visited Lady Whitemarsh," I said.

"Ah, that explains it. He’s the one you pointed out, right? The one who’ll leave his mark on fate?"

I nodded, and she chuckled, shaking her head. "To think he’d snatch R’lissea up this quickly. You said they just met?"

"Like five minutes ago. He asked her to dance and, well, it’s as you see."

Her smile faded as she returned her attention to Luke and me. I instinctively drew closer, hugging his arm tighter. Noticing my reaction, she sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"Sorry, Xiv, but I need to borrow him. Some of the higher nobles requested an introduction and a chance to speak with him alone. I can refuse, but this is exactly the kind of thing we came here to do."

"I’m not leaving Xiviyah," Luke said, frowning.

"It’s okay," I said a little too quickly. "Go. I’ll be okay. Someone’s got to keep an eye on R’lissea."

"And whose going to keep an eye on you? I don’t want to leave you alone, Xiviyah."

His earnest gaze held mine fast until heat bloomed in my chest, making my heart tremble. Looking away, my fingers found a strand of hair at my shoulder, twisting the ends around my thumb.

"You’ll be quick, won’t you?" I asked, looking at Elise.

She smiled at me. "It’s just introductions, right over there, on that balcony," she said, pointing to the second story of the Zenith Gallery. Her lips twitched in a smile. "Don’t give me that look. I wouldn’t take him away from you without a good reason. You’ll get your dance, trust me."

My blush deepened, and I nodded, letting go of Luke’s arm. He opened his mouth to protest, then hesitated, letting out a long sigh.

"Fine, if that’s what you want," he said, his tail flicking irritably. "I’ll find you right after. Don’t go anywhere, and stay out of trouble, alright?"

"I’ll be fine. There shouldn’t be any danger."

"There shouldn’t have been any danger at the estate, yet I ended up cleaning inquisitor blood from my sword," he grumbled, reluctantly allowing Elise to lead him away. He glanced back at me, concern etched into the hard lines of his face, before disappearing through one of the silk-draped archways. He let a faint wisp of aura leak from his soul, reassuring me through the walls that he was never far at all times.

I watched them go, a strange ache blossoming in my chest. The feeling of Luke’s warmth on my arm lingered, making me shiver. I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, my eyes returning to R’lissea and her partner. The knot in my stomach loosened, and I relaxed, backing against the wall and watching them dance. The song wasn’t one I’d heard before, but the rhythm was familiar, and I recognized the moves many of the couples displayed.

Scarcely a minute after Luke left, I became aware of a group of elvish girls close to my age nearby. They weren’t looking at me, but my horns itched with the sensation of their collective gaze upon me, even as they whispered amongst themselves. My tail twitched, and I forced it to still, tucking it behind my leg and trying my best to appear invisible.

It wasn’t fated to be, as they somehow ended up around me, five or six strong. They looked me up and down, their lips set in smug, self-satisfied smiles. The one at the front, a slender girl with silver hair and a cascade of white flowers woven into the braid at her crown, wore the crest of House Ellenwinter at her breast. Her dress, unlike the usual fashions, was cut low, exposing a generous amount of cleavage for an elf.

"Are you lost? You look a little out of place," she said, peering at me with feigned sympathy. "This kind of banquet is meant for honored friends and guests, those with pure, noble blood flowing through their veins."

"Her dress is pretty, for a courtesan, but that style doesn’t suit her," another one said, her dress decorated with the crest of the Silverboughs. "It’s too much, too flashy. She doesn’t even have anything to show."

My face heated as they broke into giggles, looking me over again. I wanted to run, to find Luke, but he’d only be gone a little longer. I’d promised him I’d be fine, and if I let something like this worry me, how could I expect to face Soltair, Alex, or the church? It was just words, wasn’t it?

But I hadn’t expected them to be so direct, and my throat felt tight, making it hard to breathe. I couldn’t find my words, so I just stood there, clutching the hem of my skirt. My tail flicked, and their eyes darted to it, widening slightly.

"I’ve heard some people find those attractive," the first girl said, gesturing at me rudely. "But I think they’re repulsive. If I had one, I’d never wear it out so openly, where anyone could see it. As if they needed a reminder of my tainted blood."

They giggled again, and my grip on my skirt tightened until my knuckles turned white. My aura swirled, the faint, golden light deepening, making them gasp. The girl at the front took a reflexive step back, her smug smile faltering.

"What are you?" she asked, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Is that some kind of demon power? Is that how you murdered Lord Sobrein last night?"

"Murdered?" I gasped, recoiling slightly. "I...of course not. I’ve never even heard of him!"

"Ladies, please, give the Oracle a little space, and try to refrain from speculating on her behalf. She’s not used to such lavish gatherings. You’re making her nervous," a new, familiar voice said.

I flinched as Lord Terath appeared, stepping between me and the Ellenwinter girls. He gave them a charming smile, but there was a hard edge to his violet eyes.

"Terath? Do you know this...demonkin?" the silver-haired girl asked, giving me a suspicious look.

"I’ve made her acquaintance. Her name’s Xiviyah, I’ve heard. Lady Xiviyah."

"It’s an honor to meet you," I said, my throat tight. I tried to give a curtsy, but it was clumsy and awkward, only drawing more snickers from the girls.

"Is this your idea of a joke? You’d consort with these...things?" another girl asked. "They’ve come to tarnish our honor and lands, you know. No true elf could accept them."

"Hmm, perhaps," Terath said, wearing a passive expression. His eyes brightened, and he turned to the silver-haired girl who led the posse. "I tire of these games, Lady Lira. Would you care for a dance?"

Lira’s eyes widened, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks. "Of course, my Lord."

She cast me a smug look as he offered her his hand. I watched, tail twitching uncertainly as they joined the couples, their movements fluid and practiced. Was he just...leaving me? Did he really get bored? It wasn’t like we actually knew each other, but this was too sudden, too abrupt. He’d seemed more principled than that.

But now, Lord Terath’s focus was entirely on Lira, and she glowed under his attention, casting triumphant glances in my direction. The other girls chittered and whispered, envious of her chance to dance with the young lord. I hadn’t thought I cared for whatever competition she thought we were in, but it left me feeling hollow.

The song shifted to a faster tempo, a lively elven reel. The couples across the floor spun and weaved, and the steps grew more complex. Terath’s movements became subtly more aggressive, leading Lira into faster and more difficult steps than the other dancers. His movements drew on the grace and confidence one could only gain from combat and training experience, something it was abundantly clear Lira just didn’t have. The silver-haired girl’s grin faltered, her face drawing tight in concentration, but it wasn’t long before she stumbled, tripping over her own feet as I had often done during practice.

Terath caught her effortlessly, pulling her upright with a strength that belied his casual posture. He whispered something, his expression all concerned, but when the song ended, her face was a red, mortified blush. Her friends were silent, their snickers and smug glances gone, replaced by stunned looks.

He led a very subdued Lira back to the little group, his face a polite, unreadable mask. She wouldn’t meet my eyes as he let her go, her fists clenched at her sides.

"Thank you for the dance, my Lady," he said, "You were wonderful out there. A true vision among the other beauties."