by LJ Andrews
He’d spoken so powerfully that night. Why can’t you be both? His words repeated in her mind. Shaking her head, she threw a final pebble at the wooden post, chipping away a small piece of the corner of the wood on the impact.
Nova shook her head and followed through the door after Atlas. She couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever be able to be the girl from Mollem Island again.
*****
The table rattled as the leather satchel landed in the center. Raine jumped, and Briggs mumbled curses at the mess the crash had made of the brown, flaky nuts he was devouring.
“Nova,” Raine said, notably affronted. “What are you doing? Why are you dressed as if you’re leaving?”
“I am leaving,” she said, straightening her hat. “I can’t sit here, and after giving it some thought I decided no one is really going to be able to stop me from getting what I want, right? I’ll make sure of it.”
Briggs lifted his bushy eyebrows in surprise, but she noticed his face wasn’t lit in admiration for her determination. Instead, his expression was more like a parent readying themselves to scold their unruly child. Atlas smiled and tossed a nut into his mouth while leaning on the back two legs of his chair. But Raine shot to her feet and stalked quickly across the room.
Her petite hands were surprisingly strong when she clasped one of Nova’s wrists. “May I speak with you?”
Without waiting for a reply, Raine pulled her into one of the back rooms.
“What are you thinking?” she asked shrilly. “You’re going to get yourself killed.”
“I will not, Raine,” Nova insisted. “Was it not you who encouraged me to accept the Djinn side fully? I plan to use it, and I plan to get what Insel kept about finding Dia.”
“What about the band of shadows?” Raine asked, folding her arms across her chest.
“They aren’t anything I’m going to worry over. We sent them on the run once before, and I plan to make sure they stay running if they so much as look in our direction again.”
“So, you plan to just waltz right into the palace and take what you feel is yours?” Raine scoffed, folding her thin arms tightly across her chest.
“That was my plan. To twist the fates,” Nova said smiling darkly.
“It doesn’t work exactly like that,” Katherine’s small voice came from the doorway.
Nova rolled her eyes. “Pardon me, but you don’t understand what we are discussing.”
“Actually, I understand more than you know. My grandmother was born a Lamian,” Katherine said nonchalantly. “I grew up with tales of the great Djinn family and their abilities.”
Nova’s jaw dropped and her eyes watched Katherine skirt about the room as if her voice was lost, but the diamonds in her skull were glued to her every movement. “You’re a Lamian?”
She remembered her only encounter with the dark religion on board the Star’s Vengeance. She’d narrowly escaped with her life against the powerful man determined to rid the kingdom of Djinn.
Katherine smiled while polishing a china teapot painted in intricate pink flower buds along the edges. “Of course not. My grandmother left the religion when she married my grandfather, but that didn’t stop her from sharing what she knew about the Djinn. I knew what you were the moment you set foot in my home, though I must admit you seem different than what she once described. You talk to us as equals, only occasionally exhibiting the, forgive me, arrogance typical to a Djinn.”
Nova’s eyes widened and it took all her control to keep her wave of questions at bay. She pushed down the annoyance that Katherine could have helped her days ago, and instead focused on what she could learn now that she knew the truth.
“If you know so much about the power, why do you say I wouldn’t be able to twist the fates in my favor?”
Katherine sat daintily in a small rocking chair with chipped paint along the arms. “Because twisting fate isn’t an easy task. I sense it isn’t your true talent, or you would always do what you wanted. You might be able to play fate a little, but not enough to walk into a palace and rob the new king blind without any consequences.”
Nova held up her hand. “Wait, what do you mean ‘true talent?’”
Katherine shrugged. “Most Djinn have talents in different areas than others. They are much like a normal family, each member having strengths and weaknesses.”
“A normal family, but with supernatural powers,” Raine chuckled.
“Yes, of course, there’s that small difference,” Katherine said.
“So, what’s mine?” Nova asked with a newfound excitement for her Djinn lineage.
“Well, I wouldn’t know,” Katherine said. “That will be interesting to learn in the future, though.”
Nova’s shoulders fell in disappointment, but Raine’s sharp voice didn’t let her mope long. “There, Nova. Now, will you please stop this foolish plan of storming the palace gates. I think the party guests would notice a woman dressed much like a pirate and it wouldn’t go well for you.”
Nova leapt up, her heart racing in new found energy. “The party, of course. It’s perfect!”
She quickly left the room, leaving Raine and Katherine perplexed and stunned at the abrupt change in tone.
“What’s perfect?” Raine called after her.
Nova pushed into the small shared yard where Briggs and Atlas sat watching the peachy clouds drift above them. Briggs was holding his injured arm close to his chest, as if afraid it might fall to pieces if he released it.
“Are you gentlemen ready to attend a royal ball?” Nova said breathlessly.
Atlas turned around with a quizzical expression painted on his face. “Pardon me?”
“Nova, what are you up to?” Raine asked suspiciously.
“The coronation ball. The final night of celebration is tonight, correct?” Nova asked Katherine when she finally joined them in the yard.
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
“It’s a perfect disguise. We go as coronation guests and no one will be the wiser to our true purpose.”
“Lass, the guests have been invited,” Briggs said. “How do you expect we get in?”
“Katherine, will you help us get in?” Nova asked.
Katherine stiffened as her eyes drifted quickly back and forth across the yard looking for any sign of escape. “I don’t know how I could possibly...” She trailed off.
“Kit, you…might have access to the invitations when you go to the palace this afternoon. Would it be possible to take three?” Raine asked.
“Three? Why only three?” Atlas asked, eyeing Raine.
“No matter how great my disguise, I put you all at risk if I show my face in the royal house. If anyone recognized me…” She shuddered.
Nova pretended as if she didn’t see the flash of disappointment in his face before turning to Katherine. “Can you do what Raine asked?”
Katherine wrung her hands together as if trying to squeeze any feeling out of her fingertips. “I can try, but I cannot promise anything. And if anyone should find out, I would suggest leaving the island as soon as possible.”
“Thank you,” Nova said. “Now, while I wish Raine could join us I happen to agree with her. It would put her at great risk going back to the palace. So, the three of us need to find something to wear. We have a ball to attend.”
The gown fit her waist uncomfortably tight, but with limited gold geld and even less time, it was the best she could find. Nova stared at her reflection in the small mirror behind the velvet curtain. The dress shop had bare hangers from the ecstatic young women on Koning taking their pick of a perfect dress. So, the frail shop owner had brought Nova a dress she’d explained was from last season, out of the back closet.
The fabric was a fine blue silk that traipsed along her waist in ruffled folds before billowing out in airy waves until barely kissing the top of her feet. The sleeves fell just below her shoulders, and if she hadn’t known the reason behind purchasing the gown, she might almost feel beautiful. She wrap
ped one of her curls around her finger, thinking of what risk she was taking just to get information that could quiet possibly lead her to nothing. Nova frowned at her reflection in the small fitting room. Her diamond eyes seemed to twinkle with a strange vibrancy and her form seemed different, stronger and more agile, but she could still see the fear in her countenance, a weakness she would have to squash soon.
Turning away from the mirror she returned the dress to the hanger, strapped her dagger under her pant leg, and went to find the shop owner.
“You don’t have to do this,” Raine said, pinning half of Nova’s curls against the back of her head. Each pin had small, azure glass balls on the ends that gleamed beneath any light, creating a magical sheen along her hair. “There are other ways to find out how to get to the mountain.”
“This just feels…like what I need to do. I can’t explain it, Raine. I’ve thought the same thing many times; what a risk for possibly no reward, but something is pulling me forward. It’s almost as if I’ll find exactly what I’m looking for.”
Raine nodded. “You remember the plan, right? You can’t come back here for at least a few days and risk drawing attention to yourselves.”
Nova nodded. “We won’t. If we find anything we’ll follow the lead before coming back for you. But you must promise to stay safe while we’re gone.”
Raine smirked. “I will be fine. I can take care of myself. There now, you’re ready.”
Nova smiled. Her hair was glowing beneath the line of pins and her curls fell like a majestic waterfall around her neck and shoulders. Her chest pricked in discomfort as she buried the wish Kale could see her deep inside the recesses of her heart.
“The carriage is here, lass,” Briggs said, pushing through the door. “My goodness, ye look so much like yer mother right now. What Kamali would give to see ye all dressed up in that gown.” He chuckled and held out his arm.
“I can’t believe Katherine was able to secure a carriage and everything,” Nova said. “She knows how to get a job done.”
“That’s why I knew I could trust her,” Raine said proudly.
Katherine was waiting by the door, holding the thick paper invitation. The gold edging was sure to have cost more than Katherine’s entire home, and Nova felt slightly guilty taking the invitation after asking her to take such a risk on their behalf.
Atlas stood near the door of the small coach. He was dressed again in the blue dress coat he’d worn into the pub. He’d tied his dark hair back with blue ribbon and had shaved his face. Nova smiled when she stepped by him.
“You look amazing,” he said quietly, ignoring Brigg’s huffing.
“You look younger clean-shaven,” Nova said, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks as his eyes studied her.
“Now, just keep your heads down,” Katherine begged.
“Katherine,” Nova said through the window of the coach. “Thank you for doing this. Everything will be fine, even if I am new to twisting fate, I know I can get us through this night. I couldn’t have done it without you, though. Please take care of Raine.”
“Raine,” Atlas called out. “Take care, understand?” His eyes were narrow and stern.
“I will,” she replied. “We’ll see you in a few days.”
Katherine nodded at Nova, her eyes serious and fierce as if telling her some unspoken warning.
Without another word, the coach trembled to life and the small, gray charge Katherine had secured led them up the winding hill toward the vibrant palace.
Chapter 8
The Ball
The herald eyed them for a long tense moment when they reached the great hall. His nose twitched above the bushy black mustache, and he tapped the gold cane against the marble flooring impatiently. As time passed, every bloodshot vessel in the whites of his blue orbs seemed to become apparent as Nova never dropped her gaze from him.
The tightening in her chest was becoming unbearable as she prepared to fight for their lives if necessary. Just as she felt she might explode from the pressure, the footman nodded them toward the grand ballroom, already filled with pleasant laughter and delicious smelling foods.
The chandelier glimmered high above them like thousands of twinkling stars against the solid gold ceiling. Beautiful ladies spun their heavy skirts and lacy gowns across the ballroom floor like colorful flower blooms blowing in the breeze. The gentlemen gently guided their steps in time with the bouncy tune, smiling and occasionally kissing their partners’ hands.
Nova’s eyes fell on the oversized throne at the head of the room. King Beaumont sat low and lazy against the padded velvet, dressed in long purple robes and looking bored as his subjects waltzed merrily at his feet.
“We’ll stay a few dances then head to the archives below,” Briggs whispered.
“May I?” Atlas asked holding out his hand for Nova to grasp. She curtsied playfully before allowing him to lead her onto the dance floor.
The song changed and the musicians played a haunting soft melody that sent chills up Nova’s arms.
“I have to be honest, Atlas, my father spent more time teaching me to swing a sword than to dance.”
“Nova,” he said, twirling her under his arm. “Have you forgotten, I was practically raised on ships full of burly, crass men. But my sister Eliza loved to dance, so I’ll try to remember what I can.”
She nodded and allowed him to spin her about the other couples, both laughing when one or the other stepped on toes. Snobbish eyes found them often and spewed silent reprimands across the dance floor for being so careless in their steps. After the song ended, Nova’s cheeks hurt from giggling and smiling too long that she hardly felt the tap on her shoulder.
Spinning around, her breath caught in her throat as her eyes locked with the bored expression of King Beaumont’s oddly long face.
“I would request this dance with you,” he said.
His voice was rattling as if a cough were itching to escape his throat but would never come. The king was much taller than she had thought, and his face seemed to have aged prematurely because of the frown creases around his chin. Nova paused, eyeing his smooth hand that had never seen a day’s work as he held it out for her to take. The other women in the ballroom were low to the ground in a deep curtsy while the men bowed. The cheery music stopped, and now only ghostly echoes of merriment remained in the grand ballroom while the king waited impatiently for her response.
“Oh, I…I’m flattered, Your Highness,” she said, feeling a sudden wave of caution overwhelm her. “I’d be honored.”
Briggs was leaning against a tall marble pillar in the back of the room. Nova met his eye briefly as the king led her to the center of the dance floor. Her uncle’s face was stoic and if he’d been near her, she knew he’d warn her to play along and act natural.
“Enough with the silence,” Beaumont said, a hint of agitation in his voice. “Get back to it.”
Immediately, the guests sprung into an upbeat waltz with the vibrant flutes and horns filling the room again.
“I haven’t seen you here until tonight,” Beaumont said, spinning Nova fast enough to throw her slightly off balance. Quickly, hiding her stumble, she smiled and did her best to keep up with the king’s knowledge of the dance.
“I’ve come and gone, Your Highness,” she said sweetly.
“No, I would have remembered you. Why do you seem so familiar? I couldn’t have seen you in court, your lack of understanding of dance assures me you weren’t raised amongst nobles.”
Nova swallowed the sharp reply hanging on the tip of her tongue and forced herself to giggle stupidly, but the sound came out forced and tainted in bitterness.
“Do you take offense at my words?” he asked, for the first time seeming interested in his surroundings.
Nova caught the eye of Atlas, swaying with an older woman nearby. He didn’t appear worried; instead, he appeared more interested in what Nova might do or say.
“No offense taken, sire. I only wish the truth was harder to det
ect.”
“And what truth is that?”
“My father joined the royal courts only last year. Before that, he was a successful merchant on Mollem Island before becoming a baron. So, as I said, I wish my inexperience in such things wasn’t so apparent,” she lied easily, thinking of her old friend Dria’s father, who was a successful merchant and had leaned toward joining the royal courts before she’d left the island.
Beaumont’s eyes shadowed with a dark hunger as his lips curled into a smile, which seemed to take too much effort. “Then who better to explain this world than the king?”
Nova batted her eyelashes as he spun her around again. Beaumont tightened his grip around her waist as they swayed across the dance floor. His expression was needy and desirous, and Nova smiled coyly as a comforting wave of power washed over her, preparing to react to any undesirable advances.
“You will stay here at the palace,” Beaumont said, slightly breathless from the dance. “I am confident you will learn the way of things in no time.”
“Thank you for the offer, Highness,” Nova said with difficulty. “But you see, my grandmother is not well. I must be getting back to her.”
“I will send a nursemaid. You will stay here, with me,” he added darkly.
“Again, the offer is too much,” she said, clenching her hand behind her back as she twirled once more. “But you see, the gentleman I was dancing with, I am betrothed to him. I would not do anything to dishonor that agreement.”
Beaumont stopped dancing and stepped dangerously close to her face. “When you are king you ask as a courtesy, not for a refusal. I don’t have to ask, I can command.” His eyes scanned her face and figure, sending a sick lurch through her stomach. “Where have I seen you before?”
