Scars and Burns (No Light Without the Dark #1)

33. Aeron

33

Aeron

A fter being escorted to our chambers. I relieve the men and allow them to rest after the journey. Aemond comes and joins me in mine moments later.

“Do you think they could have given us lodging any further from King Elio?” He asks. Joining me on the balcony.

A small laugh escapes my lips, “No, most likely not. King Elio doesn’t want us anywhere near him or Princess Saphrina. Even if it is in celebration.”

I don’t look at him. Instead, I stare out into the forest beyond.

Standing by my side, he says, “She’s grown into a beautiful woman.”

“Yes, she has.” My thoughts are far away. Though I’m trying to stay true to the task at hand.

I feel Aemond looking at me. Giving me a questioning gaze, “Are you sure we’re referring to the same woman?”

“Princess Saphrina. Who else would we be referring to?”

We both know who.

“I saw you today. You faltered when you felt the pull. When you sensed Lady Dinalia was near. You went too far with King Elio. You allowed your eyes to wander to her and put her under suspicion and risk. Barely even glancing over to Princess Saphrina. Aeron, Your Grace, I am asking you this as your closest friend. Can you do this? You have handled every mission, every task you have ever been given with excellence. But none of them have involved your mate. After rejecting her, this part of yourself, for so long I worry you won’t be able to resist. You know what everyone says about mates. They are blessed by the Triple Goddess. Fated together since their births, in life, and in death. Their souls find each other in this life and the next, for all time. It’s a bond that cannot be undone .”

“I know!” I spit out.

He slams his mouth shut. I shouldn’t have snapped at him. Shouldn’t have lost my composure. It all comes from a good place.

He speaks the truth about mates. They are rare. Our Goddess does not cast them out lightly. Each mated bond serves a purpose. Very few have been recorded throughout the history of the three realms.

I will not concede to the idea that she is my mate. Not with all I know. Not with what I keep from her.

Sighing, I say, “I’m sorry. I should not have lashed out at you.”

“It’s alright. I understand why you did. She is the only one that ever puts you in this dower mood.”

I inhale deeply. Trying to remain calm. Trying to resist the pull to her.

“You will infiltrate Princess Saphrina’s heart?” Aemond asks.

“Yes.” I say flatly.

“Without concern for Lady Dinalia?”

I contemplate what he is asking me. Will I be able to stay away from her? I want to say yes. I want to be as cold and malice towards her as I am to every other aspect of my life but I can’t. I’m not saying she is my mate but there is something there. Something I can’t explain. Something I must explore. I can still manipulate Princess Saphrina and all goes to plan. While I retain this small resemblance of my own wants and desires.

I will because I must.

I let out one last stress relieving sigh, before saying, “Yes.”

Aemond’s eyes are still on me. Lingering there for a moment. He looks forward, “Very well, Your Grace. Let’s get ready for this Welcome Masquerade Ball.”

* * *

The Welcome Masquerade Ball is of course meant to welcome the other rulers and noble families in attendance. But it also represents the unveiling of one’s soul. The unknown souls of Princess Saphrina and Prince Proteus coming together.

Much like how Princess Saphrina and Prince Proteus know next to nothing of one another. You are meant to find someone you also know little about.

Spend the evening getting to know one another. Interlacing the realms. Princess Saphrina and Prince Proteus are supposed to spend the entirety of the evening together. No one is to disturb their conversation unless instructed to do so by one of their parents. They shall only dance with each other. Making the most of their first interactions.

Other than the two guests of honor. No one is supposed to know who the other is. That is the point of the masks. A rather ridiculous point if you ask me. Everyone from a realm is easily distinguishable. Celestial with their porcelain skin, silver to white hair, and range of blue eyes. The Middle Kingdom with ivory to tan skin, blonde hair, and eyes vibrant shades of green. The Shadowlands and their copper caramel skin, brown eyes, and hair black as night .

The only ones to forgo this status quo are the mixed blood. Never nobles and never rulers. Aside from myself with my sapphire eyes. Though no one has ever questioned my lineage. Most likely from fearing my Father and then myself.

Then there is Lady Dinalia. Her skin and hair color would suggest she is from the Shadowlands but her eyes. Never before seen purple eyes. She will be the one to look for.

We all await the grand entrance of the royal families of the Middle Kingdom and Celestial Realm. I’ve even heard that King Elio is allowing Lady Dinalia to have an entrance announcement.

He’s never taken a slightest interest or care in her before. He has barely claimed and represented her as his ward over the years. I wonder why now.

Given my station, I am seated at a table relatively close to the guest of honors. Their table is long. Facing the dance floor while the rest of us are scattered about in round tables surrounding the space. Princess Saphrina and Prince Proteus will sit in the middle with both of their respected family members off to their sides. Prince Proteus’s being his Father and Mother, King Charon and Queen Ayla. Princess Saphrina will be accompanied by her Father, King Elio, and Lady Dinalia next to him.

I have a clear view of the high table. Able to see the interactions between Saphrina and Proteus. Just to see how much work I might have cut out for me.

“You look quite dashing.” Aemond says, to my right.

I am wearing all black, per my usual attire. But this formal suit jacket however took weeks to make. Embroidered with silver and silk embellishments. Intricate designs on the panels. My collar and cuffs details took days alone. Fitted to my body measurements exactly. It is flattering fit but still tight enough to show off my muscular form. Hugging my broad shoulders just right as it loosens and compliments my long lean torso. The collar is high but with my long neck it shows off the sharpness of my jawline even more. My hair is still shaggy but structured with product. My crystal sapphire eyes are complimented by a silver mask. The same intricate details of my suit jacket.

“Anyone you are trying to impress?” Aemond eggs me on even further.

“No one in particular. But if I happen to catch Princess Saphrina’s eye all the better.”

“Mhhhmmm, right and Lady Dinalia in clear view won’t be a problem?”

“She does not matter. She will be nothing. Not even a mere distraction. Purely all fun and games in order to rile up King Elio.”

“Remember, My King, do not fight fate, your will, will not overcome our Goddess’s.” Aemond says softly.

“Been communicating with your wife?”

“Well, yes of course. But perhaps there is another way to go about things that won’t defy the Goddess.”

“How do you know this is defying our Goddess? We have no way of knowing if Dinalia and myself are mates. The last recorded mating bond in our history was over 300 years ago. This could just be a lustful want.”

Aemond opens his mouth to say more but before he can a horn is blown.

In an instant, we stand and turn our heads to the double doors. That familiar pull of my heart and the now welcomed burn of my Goddess mark, is my sign that she is near.

I’d like to say I was paying attention to those announced ahead of her but I can’t. She is all I can think about. All my heart and soul long for.

I crane my neck in an attempt to see past people. Since the entrance is at the back of the room and we are seated in the front. My eyes begin darting past those entering. Searching for her. Needing her. To meet her eyes.

Then I find her.

She’s wearing the same sapphire blue gown as before now joined with a silver mask. Her hair is pinned back in a fashion I’ve never seen on her. Her lips glossed and shining like the stars. She would be the brightest star to ever light the night sky.

She has no escort. King Elio couldn’t have been bothered with that.

Her eyes immediately find me. Our eyes lock and there is an unspoken bond. Something neither of us can deny.

Or maybe is it just me?

Because as quickly as she sees me she looks away. Head held high. Eyes forward. Walking with grace and dignity. Her demeanor is so different from what I had come to expect.

Shameless.

Aemond nudges me with his elbow. I didn’t even realize it but I hadn’t been breathing. Nor had I blinked. Not willing to miss a moment of her enchantment.

They all file in. Taking a seat in the respective places at the high table. We are motioned to sit.

King Elio then rises, before speaking, “Thank you all for your attendance in the celebration of the union between my daughter, Princess Saphrina, of the Middle Kingdom and the son of King Charon and Queen Freya, Prince Proteus, of the Celestial Realm. This union has been long in the making and I have no doubt it will lead to a very prosperous and peaceful future. The Welcome Masquerade Ball is meant for the three realms to finally mix and intertwine. No longer shall we be separate from one another but move forward as our Triple Goddess would have wanted. Through birth, life, and death. Please mingle. Be merry. Find someone unfamiliar to you and get to know them. Leading to a blossoming future.” He pauses, looking over to Dinalia.

Her head is forward but her line of site is down towards the ground in front of her. A glazed look in her eyes. Any emotion is absent from her features.

King Elio smirks, “In other news. I would also like to take this opportunity to announce that Lady Dinalia, my ward, is seeking a husband.”

Gasps and whispers break out among the crowd. She whips her head to him. He doesn’t look at her. Just glances amongst the crowd. Enjoying the stir he’s caused. She turns her head back to the front. Eyes frantic. Searching the crowd.

Landing on me.

I have one arm resting on the table. My hand has curled into a fist. My jaw is clenched. My whole body is stiff. I know I should look away. We shouldn’t be seen staring at each other. But I can’t bring myself to do it.

In my eyes, I know she can see that I want her.

But I cannot have her.

But I’ll be damned if I allow her to end up with a man who does not value her.

No one will have her.

She is without words. She is consuming me. My every thought, every breath is filled with her.

I cannot leave her be. She is my everything.