Chapter Twenty-Four

"So, how hot do you reckon he is?" Aelia's daring voice resonated in Irina's bedroom.

"Who?" I questioned, a hint of incredulity in my tone.

"Helmet boy," Amaya chimed in, her laughter carrying from the vanity. “I bet he’s ugly.”

"I prefer the term glitter boy," Saija added with a chuckle.

“I wager he’s dreamy,” Aelia voiced playfully, earning a swat from Irina.

“What of my future husband?” Irina attempted. “Prince Azhrel, the gorgeous face we can all see.”

“He’s quite a marvel too,” I contributed, blushing. “He will make a fine husband.”

“And the Kaimari a fine mistress,” dared Aelia, causing all of us to groan.

We were gathered, the core of our childhood camaraderie, preparing for the grand event of the season—the first party of summer. Nerida and James, our queen and king, had been a consistent presence throughout the season, but for the first time in weeks, they had left us alone. There were no Dawnlight Masters, no Senate rulers, and no visiting planet leaders. Just us, our friends from the days of our youth, and the few remaining suitors, reduced now to Theo, Ezra, Damien, and Azhrel. Though unspoken, we all knew that the final choice was destined to be Azhrel.

"Ahem," a voice interrupted our playful banter, and both I and Irina turned to face the man who would soon be our husband. "Irina," Azhrel addressed me, his presence commanding attention. “May I have a word?”

I nodded, signaling to my friends that I would momentarily step away, and joined Azhrel in the hallway.

"I have to leave for a couple of days," he told me, his expression a mixture of duty and regret. Beside him, the Kaimari stood sentinel, his visor obscuring any hint of his thoughts.

“Oh, but the party,” I began, I couldn’t deny that a small part of me had become attracted to Azhrel, perhaps a large part.

"One of my planets is facing turmoil, not from the Empire but from minor trade disputes. I must be there," he explained. His touch was gentle as his hand cupped my face, leaving a fleeting kiss on my forehead. Even then, my eyes remained locked on the Kaimari.

"I can't wait to show you my homeland," Azhrel continued, his smile warm and genuine.

"Kairos," I responded, a matching smile spreading across my lips.

"The Court of Starlight," he affirmed, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

But Irina, with her ever-sharp perception, interjected with a pointed comment. "I've heard other rumors, though. Court of Nightmares," she said, her head tilting playfully to the side.

"Ahh, perhaps," Azhrel acknowledged, winking in her direction. I watched, impressed, as Irina's cheeks flushed with a blush.

"Will we see you again soon?" she pressed, her voice holding a hint of something deeper. For a fleeting moment, it seemed that Azhrel recognized the true princess within her.

"Soon," he promised, his lips brushing against Irina's hand in a tender gesture. And with that, he was gone. Irina trailed away as well, leaving me in the hallway with just the warrior.

“Promise me you’ll behave yourself tonight,” the Kaimari's voice cut through the air.

I pivoted back toward him, my shoulders rigid with tension. “Aren't you supposed to be accompanying Azhrel? Isn't warfare akin to foreplay for your kind, Kaimari?”

He closed the gap between us in just two strides. “Are you begging me to discipline you?”

My throat tightened. “I will never beg for anything from you.” Lies.

“Behave, or you might find yourself across my knee,” he declared.

I almost laughed, if not for the sheer terror his words invoked. “Then be prepared to lose that knee, Kaimari.”

We were on the precipice of killing each other, or perhaps finally succumbing to the simmering tension that brewed between us, right here, in this hallway, across the floor, if not for Amaya's call summoning me back to our chambers.

“Stay away from me tonight,” I cautioned, retreating into my room.

“Never.”
—----
Our evening plans were anything but pure. I returned to my chamber, slipping into one of the most scanty dresses I possessed, and downed two shots of vodka.

Each year since our return to Astreus, we hosted a summer celebration in honor of Aurora, the goddess of Dawn. A light and joyous festival awaited us tomorrow during daylight hours. However, in the evenings preceding the festival, my friends and I would host what we named Eterna Nox. It was an inherited tradition from Irina's parents and generations before. A closely-guarded secret.

Nyx, if I recalled from history class, was often depicted as veiled or shrouded, adorned with stars and celestial motifs. Hence, our guests always adorned masks. These parties took place far from the gilded splendor of our castle, within the forsaken dungeons below. Underneath our opulent city lay a labyrinth of catacombs and ancient burial grounds, now stabilized by advanced technology, allowing us to roam without fear. There were sections connected to our palace, hidden beneath the observatory. That's where our event unfolded, beneath a towering structure with a glass canopy that reached the sky.

Tonight, many of our ex-lovers would join us. Most notably, Irina's and mine, along with Ezra, someone I was grappling to decipher my feelings for. And then, of course, the looming reminder of my impending marriage to someone I didn't love. However, rather than dwelling on these matters, I simply took a substantial puff of Stardust from Saija's vape.

"You okay?" Amaya inquired, weariness in her tone as I applied a heavy coat of mascara.

“I just need to let loose tonight,” I replied, "apparently, this is my final Eterna as a single woman."

I didn't have to look at Irina to know she was grappling with the weight of similar pressures—marriage, alliances, and the way she burdened me due to her mental struggles.

"She's right," Irina declared, gratitude unspoken as she took a swig of my vodka. "Let's party."
—------
Eterna Nox pulsed with vibrant energy, a celebration of sensuality and unrestrained indulgence that echoed through the halls of the dungeons. Masks of intricate designs concealed our identities, casting an air of mystique over the revelers. As I stepped into the midst of the festivities, the melodies of seductive music and the whispers of forbidden desires enveloped me.

I wore my mask with a purpose—a piece of art that concealed my true self and unveiled my intentions. The mask was an embodiment of fantasy, adorned with feathers that shimmered like stardust and gems that glowed with an ethereal light. It was a mask that spoke of allure and wild abandon, a mask that was meant to ensnare the attention of one particular individual.

My eyes swept through the throng of people, seeking him out—the Kaimari Warrior, a man whose mere presence set my heart racing. He stood there, an enigma cloaked in shadows, his iridium armor a testament to his formidable strength. Our interactions had been marked by tension and anger, but tonight, I had a different plan in mind.

My steps were deliberate as I moved through the dance floor, my body swaying to the rhythm of the music. Ezra, loyal and vibrant, was by my side, his presence a reassuring anchor amidst the intoxicating whirl of the festival. He grinned at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and together, we allowed the atmosphere of Eterna to sweep us away.

As the music's tempo increased, I cast a glance toward the Kaimari. His eyes, hidden behind the mask, were fixed on the unfolding spectacle, a storm of emotions hidden beneath his stern demeanor. He was a master of discipline, of control, and I was about to test the limits of his restraint.

With a daring smile, I turned my attention to Ezra, allowing the intensity of the night to ignite my movements. Our dance was a sensual display, a manifestation of passion that simmered beneath the surface. Ezra's hands traced the curves of my body, and I let myself succumb to the enchantment of the moment, my laughter mingling with the music's melody.

I felt it before I saw it—the magnetic pull of his gaze, a gravitational force that drew my eyes to the Kaimari. He watched, his mask a facade that barely concealed the storm of emotions brewing within him. The heat of his stare ignited my skin, and a rush of exhilaration coursed through me.

As the dance continued, my eyes locked with his, a silent challenge passing between us. I moved with Ezra, but my intent was clear—I was testing the boundaries, pushing the limits of his resolve. A daring smile curved my lips as I reveled in the notion that I could elicit a reaction from the man who had always seemed so unyielding.

The music reached its crescendo, the rhythm pulsating through my veins. At that moment, I felt the power of Eterna coursing through me, a potent elixir that emboldened my spirit. With a final, deliberate twirl, I returned to Ezra's side, my heart racing with a heady mixture of triumph and anticipation.

But when I turned back to the Kaimari, he was gone, and I grew even more frustrated.

“I’ll be right back,” I said to Ezra, leaving him with some of his friends from college on the dancefloor.

“Take it easy princess,” Irina winked at me at the bar, where I had taken from the bartender an entire bottle of champagne. She was being devoured by a Prince from Thallassia, her thighs on display as he kissed her neck. At least she was happy tonight.