Chapter 16 - Oh my Goddess

EMMA

It’s the day of the choosing ceremony. My dress is navy blue with sapphires on the bodice and layers upon layers of tulle falling to the floor. The color makes my skin look like delicate porcelain. The same sapphires are woven into my white hair and it makes the girl in the mirror look like royalty. I cannot believe that girl is me. My make-up is subtle with a blush on my cheeks and soft pink lips.

The tailor's assistant is attaching small sapphire beads to the skirt. Her name is Carmen and she has been talking for the past two hours about the ins and outs of the choosing ceremony. Who is here and who has the biggest chance to be chosen. Apparently, this is the biggest happening in years. I don’t think she realizes that I’m a candidate as well.

“So when I went to the bathroom I saw Gaia walking down the corridor like she owns the place. I mean, I know they used to date, but come on. Have some respect, right?”

“Right.” I have no idea what she's talking about.

“I mean her dress was gorgeous, don’t get me wrong. That crimson satin just screams Luna if you ask me.”

It’s amazing how quickly Carmen works while talking so much.

Carmen attaches another bead to the dress. “No doubt he’ll choose her eventually. Oh by the way, do you know that other human? He’s like too hot to be human really, but Diana said that he definitely is.“

I perk up from her endless scatter. “Other human?”

“Yes, with the brown hair and the brooding eyes. What did Diana say his name was? Julius? Justus?” Carmen ponders as she attaches another string of beads.

My heart starts to beat faster and hope blooms in my chest. “Justin?”

Carmen snaps her fingers. “Yes, that’s it.”

*Justin is here? What is he doing here? How did he even get here?*

“You’re all set,” Carmen says when she cuts off the final threat.

I jump up from my seat, knocking over the stool. “Thanks,” I call behind me.

*I have to find Justin.*

I want to run through the halls, but my dress and shoes won’t allow me to do that. I have to lift countless skirts and I’ve never even walked in heels. The heeled sandals are not high in comparison to what I see around me, but still. I manage my way around all the people and to the grand hall.

The ceiling reaches through all the floors of the palace and is completely made of glass. The night has fallen and the ceiling shows the beautiful sky full of twinkling stars. Lanterns line the walls and cast the room in a beautiful subtle light. There is a grant dais in the back of the room with three empty seats. The room is filled with red lilies that compliment the red marble floor. Hundreds of staff walk around with trays of food and drinks. The room is filled to the brim with what must be at least a thousand people.

*How am I even going to find him?*

I walk through the mass of people. A staff member dressed in a black suit offers me a glass of a red bubbly drink and I kindly refuse. Red seems to be a popular color here. Most of the women are dressed in some shade between blush pink and black.

A tall woman dressed in a dark, wine-red dress with long sleeves stands ten feet away from me. Her eyes are piercing, like dark pools of endless abyss. Her hair is long and raven black. She actually looks kind of scary. There is a slight tilt to the side of her mouth like she knows something. When her gaze shifts to the side, I follow it.

There in the corner of the room, standing hunched over a plate piled with food, is my brother. *Lucas is here?* Tears cloud my vision as I take in his powder blue suit and slicked-back, blonde hair. What is he even doing here? I cross the distance between my brother and lock my arms around his waist.

“What the... *Emma?*” Lucas asks and his familiar embrace pulls me closer to him in a bone-crushing hug.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt? I knew I shouldn’t have let you go.”

I can’t help the soppy laugh that escapes and the embarrassing sound that accompanies it.

“I mean look at you.” Lucas pulls me away from him, holding me at arms-length, and gives me a once over. I feel instantly colder out of his embrace.

“You look… I mean you look kind of good actually.” Lucas mutters.

I close the distance again, not ready to let go of my brother. I notice that Justin is standing slightly to the side with his arms crossed and a deep scowl on his face. The four deep scars are pulling at his skin. He’s dressed in black and could fit in with the guard if you ask me. His whole body is tense and ready for a fight.

“What are you doing here?” I ask them and let go of my brother.

Lucas keeps one arm around my shoulders and pulls me further away from the crowd and into the hall. “You really thought I would let you go through this alone? No werewolf army could keep me away.”

I eye him skeptically.

“The princess arranged it.” He confesses.

I look between my brother and Justin. “How’s the town?” I ask.

Lucas’s features turn into a scowl and I feel his muscles tense. *Oh no. This can’t be good.*

“Tell me,” I demand.

Lucas sighs and rubs his forehead. His jaw is tight.

“The town has been good,” Justin says. “Very good even. The wolves brought medicine and a healer, there is more food than we’ve seen in years.”

“What?” I whisper. *Morana kept her promise?* I almost can’t believe it.

“Justin,” Lucas warns.

“She deserves to know.” Justin counters. “He didn’t want to tell you, because he feared you might stay.”

“Of course, I’m staying,” I exclaim.

“Have you thought this through? Really through?” Lucas pleads.

“I have no other choice,” I say honestly. The princess kept her promise and the town benefited from it. If I leave, things will get worse than they were. Way worse.

“What do you even know about this guy? He could—?” Lucas turns his head towards the main stairs as he gets distracted by something.

He then eyes Justin and I catch Justin nodding. I turn my head to look at him, but his face is stoic again. I hate when they do that, they always exclude me.

Lucas sighs. “You know what. You're right.”

“I’m *what?*” Has the world turned upside down since I left? I don’t remember Lucas ever telling me I was right.

Lucas gives me a hesitant smile. “I didn’t come here to fight with you. If you think this is the right thing to do, then I’ll support you.”

“I- uhm thanks?”

Lucas squeezes my shoulders before he moves away. I blanch and turn around to follow him. “Where are you going?” I pick up my dress, but they are faster than me.

“Don’t worry about it, sis” Lucas waves behind him.

“You know that’s only going to make me worry more,” I shout after them.

They move too fast for me and I curse these stupid heels. I lose them in the mass of people at the entrance of the ballroom. I look frantically around me, but they're gone.

“Are you okay?” A sugary sweet voice asks from behind me.

I turn around and see a woman watching me with big brown eyes. Her hair is the same chocolate brown color as her eyes and it cascades all the way down to below her waist. Thick waves seem to move in perfect synchronicity and I’m kind of jealous. She’s tall and her figure is toned and wrapped in a crimson-colored dress that shows every curve. I have curves, but they're not toned like hers. She shows me a sweet smile with a perfect set of white teeth.

Even in the most beautiful dress in the world, I don’t feel like I belong here, between people like her.

“I’m fine,” I mutter.

She giggles and the sound is sweet, like she swallowed crystal bells or something. “I think you could use a drink.” She says and hooks her arm around my elbow like we’re best friends. I’m naturally suspicious and this is no different.

People part, like the king himself has just arrived. There are murmurs around us, but I cannot hear what they’re saying. A servant with a tray of drinks offers a glass of the red bubbly drink to the woman. She gladly accepts it and hands me the glass. I reach for the stem of the glass, but the glass tilts too far my way and the red liquid spills all over my dress.

“Oh my Goddess, I’m so sorry.” The woman says with shock written all over her face.

The liquid is nearly invisible on the navy blue fabric.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it,” I say. People have stopped what they’re doing and are now staring at me.

“No I cannot do that, please let me help you.” The woman takes my hand and guides me out of the ballroom and past the bathrooms.

“Uhm, shouldn’t we—“

“Oh no, those bathrooms are too crowded. Goddess knows how long it will take.” The woman says.

*Right, that makes sense. I guess.*

The woman leads me to the second floor and further away from the boisterous ballroom. The halls on the second floor are empty, not even one guard wanders them.

“We have to be quick, the choosing ceremony will start in a couple of minutes.” The woman says.

I follow her to the bathroom and she turns on the golden faucet. Bathroom is an understatement, this is more like a bathhouse. Seriously, a whole family could live here.

“Thanks.” I send her a measured smile. I test the warmth of the water with my fingertips and the temperature is perfect. “I didn’t get your name,” I tell her.

“I’m Gaia.” She says. “I’ll get you some extra towels.”

The name sounds familiar and I try to figure out where I heard it before as I clean down my dress with a hand towel. The door clicks behind me and I suddenly remember that Carmen was talking about a Gaia. That she used to date the prince and would probably be chosen as his mate.

The red liquid comes off easier than I thought it would and after a couple of minutes, my dress is clean again. I’m surprised Gaia never came back with the towels. I reach for the door, but the handle doesn’t open. I try again, but it doesn’t budge.

*Oh no. It’s locked.*