The summer festival was finally upon us. I had managed to skip out on most of the festivities as Aegean was still being kept inside. But the final day of the festival, the masquerade ball, was held inside the castle. I stared at myself in the long mirror in front of me. The dress was long and silky, just barely floating above the floor. A pearly white and blue mask covered the top half of my face. I was surprised at how much I looked like my mother. I closed my eyes and told myself to breath. My attempt at relaxing was interrupted as Aegean burst into the room.
“Come on Adara! It’s starting!” He exclaimed from the doorway. He wore his tailored suit and a gold and sapphire mask.
“Alright” I sighed.
“Don’t worry, it’ll be fun! I promise”
“I’m going to hold you to that Aegean” I smiled despite my nerves. We walked together to the ballroom. I wasn’t just worried about the party and the dress and whatnot. What I was really worried about was how easily someone could sneak in wearing a mask, someone like Lily. I let out a small gasp as we entered the ballroom. I had been in this room before, but not like this. Grand pillars of marble held up a ceiling of gold. The whole room was beautifully lit by a massive and intricate chandelier. The room was already full of masked guests, all dressed in fineries, some socializing but most dancing. Vibrant music filled the air. I spotted a few familiar faces off to the left side and brought Aegean over to them.
“What a party! And Adara in a dress? I never thought I’d see the day” Hari teased, holding Laila. He was dressed in a stylish black and silver suit and a matching mask. Laila was wearing one of my old dresses, white with pink and yellow flowers and a mask we had hand made together.
“Well I didn’t have much of a choice” I retorted, already regretting inviting him.
“Don’t listen to Hari, you look lovely Adara” Kato reassured me. He was dressed in a more subtle dark violet suit.
“Thanks” I rolled my eyes before taking Laila from Hari’s arms. I gave her a quick hug before putting her down beside Aegean. He took her hand and began spinning her around slowly, making her giggle. I scanned the crowd in front of us. I recognized Sasha, the alpha of the Oakleaf pack in a long purple dress dancing with Connor, alpha of the Brightmeadow pack, in a suit of green and rose. I saw Aegean’s older siblings, all in blue and silver, dancing with various partners. Princess Cyan was among them, her arms around her retainer, Khalil. Her parents must be thrilled about that, no wonder she lost her right to the throne. I didn’t see Luna walking up to me until she was practically right in front of me.
“Hey, keeping an eye out for Lily?” She asked. She was dressed in full armor of course.
“Was it that obvious?” I admitted.
“Don’t worry, I have guards posted at every entrance keeping an eye out for anyone suspicious”
“Still...” I trailed off.
“I know”
I felt a bit better knowing I wasn’t the only one worrying. Luna extended a hand to me, shaking me from my thoughts. I looked at her in confusion.
“Would you like to dance?” She asked.
“W...what?” I stuttered.
“I understand if you don’t want too...” she started, a blush creeping on to her pale cheeks. I wordlessly grabbed her hand before she could take it away.
“Okay” I said quietly, staring at the ground in horror. Why had I just done that? I didn’t want to dance, let alone with Luna, I tried to convince myself. She smiled at me as I looked up at her. Her hand warm in mine as she led me to the dance floor. I kept my eyes on her, not wanting to look back and see Hari and Kato’s reactions. She moved my other hand to her shoulder and put hers on my waist. I shivered at the contact.
“Relax Adara” Luna whispered. I didn’t realize how stiff I was until she said something. I took a breath and tried my best to calm myself. She led me through the unfamiliar steps. Luckily, I was a quick study and managed not to step on her toes. Music flowed around us. The room was full of strangers, but I saw no one but her. It was crazy to think that just a little while ago, I considered Luna an enemy. Now I didn’t know what she was to me, that made a little scared. I was brought back to the present as Luna spun me to the melody. I gasped in surprise as she pulled me back, close to her chest. Now it was my turn to blush. It had been years since I felt like this.
Our dance was interrupted as the music was abruptly cut off. We looked to the main entrance to see new figure had entered the hall. She had hair like the night sky and wore an extravagant feathered dress. She slowly removed her mask and threw it to the ground. I didn’t recognize her, but many others clearly did, Luna included as her grip tightened on me.
“Azure” King Cobalt called from across the room.
“Cobalt darling, now is that really any way to address your future Queen?” Azure waved to him, holding herself a little taller.
“How dare you!” The King bellowed.
“Lady Azure, this is not the time. I think it’s best you left before you do something you’ll regret” Queen Celeste spoke softly, but the threat in her words was clear.
“No, it’s you that should be leaving” Azure smirked as a few dozen Wolfskin and Kitsune removed their masks and stood by her side. Lily and the alpha of the mountain pack, Elda, were among them. I held back a growl seeing Lily’s cocky face.
“Beasts of the Blue Kingdom” Azure started, addressing the room. I couldn’t help but wince at the crude term. “For too long you have been kept down and mistreated by your so-called King and Queen. Take up arms and join me! Under my rule, everyone shall be treated equal no matter the body you were born into” she turned to the King, pointing with an accusatory finger. “You have until the end of the season to turn over the kingdom to me, or else face the wrath of everyone you have wronged” she turned and left at that, her followers right behind her. Luna was away from my side in an instance. Probably to find out how they had gotten past the guards. A rush of cold fear flooded over me as I searched the anxious crowd for Aegean and Laila. I let out a sigh of relief as I spotted them near a banquet table, Laila holding Aegean’s leg tightly. I slumped beside them on the floor, not really sure what to do with myself at the moment. Lady Azure must have been behind those attacks of the north wall. If Lily and Elda were working for her, then was she behind the attempt on Aegean’s life too? My blood boiled at the thought. That aside, I couldn’t help but question her motives. What did equality matter to some human noble? Even she was being honest, there had to be a better way to go about it. I didn’t realize Aegean had said something until he prodded me on the shoulder.
“What’s going to happen, Adara?” He repeated, his eyes glistening.
“I... I don’t know”
Before I met Aegean, none of this would have mattered to me. But now? It meant everything.
