Bonus: Noctura ball

**Freya's pov**

From the balcony, I stare into the throne room where people dance and thrive to the sound of violins. Past the gold curtains swaying to the soft breeze, I spot Nara dancing the usual Noctura waltz with someone I'd never seen before.

I want to laugh at the annoyance evident on her face, but I know that is her usual expression, much like Idris's, who is beside me unblinking and clearly not enjoying watching his sister dance with a stranger.

"He seems quite suited for her." I raise a brow, trying to add humor to the silence he's given me the entire time we've been out here.

His eyes turn to slits as he looks at me. I laugh, but it comes out as a snort which doesn't seem to make it any better. "My apologies," I say and still smile, "But you don't expect her to age and never find someone, do you?"

"It's a hard concept to get used to."

His disgruntled hum makes me wonder if he'll ever accept anyone for Nara. I only knew so much about him from what she'd told me.

The oldest being twenty–eight, a woodcutter from their village, and the sternest man I've ever met.

However, his handsome features make up for that last point. The Ambrose siblings all have this ethereal gleam to them that piques anyone's interest.

Realizing my head is tilted to the side, gazing at every ounce of him, I clear my throat. "She is the youngest and never experienced what being in love feels like. Eventually, she will."

Among the stars illuminating the sky, Idris's eyes are the color of a blue Aster. If he's planning to say something, he doesn't as he looks away.

"Have you experienced it?" I prompt out of genuine curiosity. If he had, I wonder what he was like.

Cold and blunt?

Or the opposite of how he is now.

A comfortable silence passes us then he says, "Once."

"Oh, me too!" I exclaim a little too enthusiastically as his brows lower, and he glances at me. I rectify, "Well, I thought it was love." Turning to lean over the balcony, I gaze at the festivities far out into the city with a thoughtful remembrance of my past. Nikolaus Thorn, the first man whom I gave my all to, but it was never enough. "Now I realize I only thought I did because I wanted to have what others had."

It's all I ever saw when I'd walk the city streets. People in love, genuine smiles full of inexplicable bliss. I was naïve to think I'd get that with the first person I met.

Drawing in a sharp breath, I can feel the warmth of Idris's eyes on me, but I do not glance at him as I wave a hand and chuckle. "How depressing."

"You seem to make even the saddest things sound less depressing with that smile."

My heart stumbles. Was that a compliment?

I whip my head up at his stoic face, and my smile only grows. "It's called positivity. You should try it sometime. I hear it's the greatest remedy, far better than the Damiana herbs an apothecary might sell you."

The tiniest smirk forms on his lips, and wisps of his chestnut hair caress his shoulder. This might be the first I've managed a smile out of him tonight.

"Freya, what are you doing out here?"

My back stiffens, and I whirl to the sound of my father's voice.

"Father!" The nerves in my throat are undoubtedly noticeable as he approaches us, and I signal my hand to the right of me. "This is—"

"Idris Ambrose," he says, his gaze turning into judgment as he looks Idris up and down. "I know who he is."

I swallow the sudden dryness in my throat as threatening silence drills into them both. Idris's eyes don't leave my father's, and neither does his.

"I was actually meaning to find you," I say hastily. "I wanted to speak to you about me perhaps becoming a herbalist. I figured the other day I know quite a lot—"

"I thought we already spoke about this, Freya." His eyes slide to mine—the same hazel color I bear but harsh, nonetheless. "You are here to become a Venator."

Yes, I know, but—"

"Another one of your useless hobbies won't get you anywhere."

That quietens me in an instant like it always has any time I even as much mentioned how I'd taken a liking to painting, gardening, anything.
I lower my head and bite my bottom lip. Fiddling with the lace of my scarlet gown, I wait for more of his disapproving words to fire at me.

"Maybe if you weren't so invested in them, you'd be ranking higher during your training—"

"Maybe if you paid more attention to your daughter, you'd know she's talented in many things."

My eyes widen as I snap my head up at Idris.

What in the name of Solaris and Crello.

"My sister tells me she is a brilliant archer, and I don't doubt it for a second."

I'm uncertain if it's the firm belief in his voice or the way his jaw tenses as he says it to my father but something akin to admiration kindles in my chest.

"Well." My father's clipped voice brings my attention to his. The tightening of his smile can easily make anyone uncomfortable. "Miss Ambrose tends to go with the opposite of what I say." He peers over his shoulder. "Although you should consider making sure she doesn't get distracted from her duties."

Frowning, I look toward the hall. Nara hasn't changed partners since I last saw her. While the man's grip around her waist seems to tighten. A smile adorns his lips as they move at their own pace, distant from everyone surrounding them.

"We wouldn't want her failing," my father says, an undertone of threat lingers there, and I sense Idris tense beside me. "I will see you inside Freya. Happy Noctura." He bows, bidding us farewell but the low disdain in his voice proves why many despise my father.

He twists and enters the grand hall, this time heading for the queen by the throne. I sigh, grimacing as I turn to Idris and prepare to splurge out a million apologies, except I don't get to do so.

"You shouldn't let him speak to you like that." He faces me, his voice low and blazing in controlled anger.

"He just wants what's best for me." At least, that is what I want to hope, even when the truth is far from that.

"Wanting what is best for you requires believing in your dreams and accepting what you want to do, not feeling as if controlling you is the way to go."

"He is all the family I have," I whisper, and vulnerability tightens me into a chokehold at the intensity in Idris's eyes.

His gaze softens as if he's noticing how depleted I look. "A parent doesn't always have to be family."

I have no words except for a smile, slow and meaningful that it evokes a hint of one at his lips too.

It's quick to fade the longer he stares at me like something snaps inside of him. He clears his throat, taking a few steps toward the hall.
"We should go back inside, Nara—"

Alarm jerks me out of my smile, and I spin to face him. I'd practically saved Nara from an overprotective brother moment with Lorcan. Knowing he wasn't too pleased by this dance with that stranger might cause a stir far worse.

At least that's what I'm telling myself. Part of me enjoys Idris's company despite his lack of showing no emotion other than frowning.

"Wait!" I stretch out my arm, and I immediately hesitate as he pauses and turns to me. "I'd—I'd like to stay out here for a bit. The stars are bright, and the sky almost looks purple. It's always been a wondrous color, don't you think?"

He stares at me. Assessing me in a way no one can decipher.

"We don't need to speak if it bothers you so much," I mumble, seeing as this must be the last thing he wants to do. "I just don't want to be alone."

He continues to stare, dragging his eyes from my face to the curls of my updo blowing with the wind before deciding to walk toward me again. Resting his forearms against the ledge, his gaze scans ahead.

With puzzled hesitance, I mimic him and stare past the borders of the castle into the city.

"Tell me why you think it's a wonderous color," he says quietly that I gaze up at him.

He doesn't look my way, and the pale light of the moon highlights the side of his face, sculpted and still… handsome.

I grin, already knowing the thousands of reasons why I love anything to do with the color purple.

**A/N - Hey everyone! Hope you enjoyed this bonus from Freya's pov. Just a reminder that book two will be out on Friday the 25th and since I'm from the UK it will be posted at 3pm. If you enjoyed this book it would mean the word if you recommended it to others, I plan to publish it through amazon eventually so can't wait until it is in actual book form!**

**Karina x**