CHAPTER 10

Warm orange and red hues with splashes of lilac filtered into my room through the windows. Water in the lake gently rippled against the banks wavering the reflection of the setting sun. The breeze caused the curtains to pocket its rhythm and curve into the room like setting sails. Flowers swayed, honeybees engaged, and the clouds bubbled into each other, gliding across the sky.

I was easily noting all the colours and shapes in hopes of painting the scene before my eyes. The composure of it all made me so happy but there was so much movement making that moment of tranquillity, proving chaos is just as calculated as that peace I experienced.

It was a little after 5:30 in the evening and preparing for the dance had me fully occupied. I was told by granny dearest that I would be meeting some very important people tonight and she lovingly said, and I quote, "Aila dear, every order of power in Ciana will attend this dance, that includes, my very brilliant and non-violent granddaughter, all the heirs and so I generously advise if you take a disliking to one such heir you keep your hands and your thoughts to yourself."

I appreciated the warning because it did make choosing an outfit easier knowing who I would be catering for. I wore a long black sleeved dress with a narrow gold-plated waistband and a slit ending right above the knee.

The dress hugged me from the waist down and slightly flared at the ankles. I almost never knew what to do about my hair and so I left the wavy brown strands cascading around my shoulders. However, I spent more time on makeup going with a nude eye and bold red lip.

A simple pair of black strapped heels and a pear-shaped diamond earing completed the look. I looked at my self in the mirror and smiled when I saw the girl staring back. It's been ages since I dressed up and felt beautiful.

***

Polished marble tiles below and hanging crystals against white gypsum designs and champagne coloured wallpaper from above. The ball room was everything I imagined it to be, classy with an elite buzz in the air. It was massive and at the far end a long table with towers of sparkling liquids, layers of cakes and bowls of tart fruit gracefully waited under expensive cream cloth.

Soft chords of the violin filled the room with a wealthy appeal. Some students who I noticed throughout the day were dressed in alluring clothing and they all carried themselves with poise. I couldn't stop the smile pulling my lips, when was the last time I've been to anything with people my age, especially something with this magnitude of sophistication.

Most of the attendees were enthusiastically chatting, each with a drink in hand. As I walked around the room continuing my hungry gaze at the ornamental statues lining the walls my eyes fell on a man.

He walked confidently with a lifted chest and powerful stride. Four men followed behind him, two to the right and two to his left. They were all dressed in a deep midnight blue, but he wore a robe with silver thread embroidered into the richly inked fabric.

As he made his way deeper into the ballroom, the moon patterned into his robe became more visible. Heir of the moon. The thought immediately presented itself. His eyes surveyed the room, with a gaze so intense I could almost hear the hearts around me pumping faster and feel the suffocation of their withheld breaths.

A voice echoed through the room, breaking the captivity. I was at the back of the room obstructed by the crowd of people ahead. My heels were of no use, only making me average height with them on.

"Welcome, I trust that you are all having a pleasant evening thus far," the voice reverberated against my skin. The words were charmingly laced in a heavy British accent. Every sentence flowed eloquently dispersing into the room. I paid zero attention to what was said after as I pushed my way through the crowd searching for the face to the intoxicating voice, like a moth drawn to a flame.

There he stood, on the raised platform at the front of the room, the white light circled around him tracing his sharp jaw and pale skin, shadows and highlights in union making him look sculpted out of stone. Raven coloured hair reflecting the glow back to the audience and eyes blue with that hint of grey you can't escape the war they wage when they fall on you.

Luck. Like most things in life can be good or bad. In my life however, bad luck held onto me like a leech, sucking all the good away. When his eyes fell on me a sharp pain pricked the insides of my throat and stomach. Of course, a voice so beguiling with the face of a Greek god had to belong to a rude and obnoxious prick. Balance at its finest.

His eyes held mine like a chained dog, I couldn't escape them even if I wanted to. I was scowling and mentally cursing him, and I was completely sure if any red could be seen on my face it would not be from my lips but pure rage.

Why was seeing him so upsetting? Maybe he had an off day when he bumped into you. You don't even know his name.

You can't despise him based on one interaction.

To hell I could despise him if I wanted to, and I did, so I pushed those logical thoughts away.

I played his game. He continued his speech, effortlessly delivering his words of encouragement to the first years and promising the best welcome dance any school could offer as if he wasn't staring into my soul.

I grew more irritated by each syllable spoken, we fixated our eyes on each other and yet I could read nothing on his face. He was nonchalant, gaze neutral with no hint of any emotion, if there was any emotion or reaction to this little staring contest, they were all hidden behind those blue barriers.

"You look stunning Miss Astrobella" Emerson's voice whispered into my ear. He was hovering behind me and I swiftly dropped my eyes from the stage down to my hands. I heard Mr. fuck up my mood clear his throat before wrapping up his speech and I turned around to see Emerson looking dashing as ever in a white button down, a black tie around his neck and black slacks.

"I think you beat me to it Mr. Haines," He did look amazing, I felt my breathing getting harder the longer I looked at him and everything that happened earlier came rushing back. After his witty remarks about me staring at his lips we hadn't seen each other. I was grateful I got space earlier and I understood why because now I was feeling so heated around him, I could run out that room and jump into the lake.

I didn't like this sudden rush I had around Emerson. I loved our friendship and wanted nothing to ruin that.

Thankfully, he stepped to the side of me, his shirt connecting to the sleeve of my dress but better than him behind me. An applause broke around us and it was obvious the asshole had finished and was now stepping into the crowd.

"Lucian Ayla, his royal highness, prick of the year," Emerson said followed by a hasty chuckle. I mentally agreed but his statement intrigued me further. I had questions with answers I realized Emerson can provide. "Who is he?" I asked too quickly for my liking, but Emerson didn't take notice. "He is a fucking arse that's who he is," "oh and succeeding heir to the moon." He added like it was simply his last name.

I choked on my saliva at this information but disguised it as a laugh. He was the son to the heir of the moon. That perfectly explains why his attitude mimicked the cold-blooded man who entered the room with his entourage earlier.

Hearing Emerson call him a prick also made me contented, I felt less guilty for disliking him based on a moment we had for a few minutes and was beyond pleased to know he upheld his reputation of my views.

"And who is he?" though I discerned who he was upon seeing him I pried for more information.

"That is the fucker's father, Cirillo Ayla and current heir of the moon, also a prick." I never heard Emerson swear that much about one topic making it clear as glacier water that they were beyond snobby.

I shook my head, "dully noted," but Emerson continued. "They act like they're superior to the other heirs and order of power, like do you see any other heirs walking around with their keeper and three ordinants."

I listened with eagerness, enticed to receive info from Emerson, who sounded like he had a personal vendetta against them. I waited for him to say more concerning his goings with them, but it never came.

Hearing about Lucian, I wondered why he was staring at me. Was it how he marked people he chose as enemies and him and his father would murder and bury the body in a little graveyard on the moon?

Rosalinda hastily pulled me out of my thoughts and mumbled something about interacting and not using Emerson as my excuse for not socializing. She introduced me to the heir of the water, Cordelia, she was a bit younger than Rosalinda and her shiny dress ladened with blue crystal beads had nothing on how beautiful she was for her age. I liked her, she spoke kindly, and her hands held mine so softly and nurturing when she talked.

I next met the heir of earth. Prithvi Mero, she was tall, bronze skin with fierce winged eyes. She was pleasant but spoke with surety and finesse. She gave condolences for my mother to which I simply nodded in thanks when I noticed Novya.

She glared at me with what came across as envy and then she focussed on Emerson situated next to me. I could sense him scanning her, she looked more beautiful than when I first saw her. Her needle straight hair was gently curled, and she wore a white pants suit.

I couldn't dislike her; I too would glare an ex like that especially if he was looking right at me while standing side by side with another girl. Then I remembered our last interaction at the fair and my chest felt heavy, so I excused myself.

The crisp, cold wind brushed my face and upturned my hair. It felt like coming up for air after holding your breath under water. I didn't like the feeling in my stomach. I felt like an intruder in Emerson's and Novya's life, like now I'll fuck up more than just myself, I'll ruin the people around me.

I inhaled deeply as I leaned against the wall and looked up at the sky, deep down hoping the stars would spell out the answers to my questions. Where do I belong? Where will I fit in?

"If you were planning on running away you could have invited me," I jumped and when I saw Emerson standing there, tie loose, a strand of his dark hair slightly curved and resting on his forehead with hands in his pocket looking stressed I felt my throat gone dry, I was responsible for his discomfort.

I looked at him, waiting for him to say something, acknowledge that him and Novya have stuff to sort out. I spoke over the sound of the chirping crickets. "Emerson I-

My back was pushed against the wall before I could continue, his body firmly pressed into mine as his lips met mine. His hands cupped my face and I melted into the delicate touch of his mouth against mine. I pulled on his tie with one hand and the other tugging the hair at the nape of his neck and I closed any fragment of space between us.

A deep sound vibrated from his throat and he began kissing me more harshly, his hands now wrapped around the dip of my arched back. I pulled at his shirt feeling his tongue slide against mine and then he pulled away, catching his breath, still holding me tight against him.

"Do you have any idea how long I wanted to do that," he said as the warmth of his fast breath faded along the skin of my neck.

"How long?" I asked with a shaky breath. Desire dominating my tone.

"Since the day you pinned me to that attic floor and nearly choked me to my death love."

I was surely seeing those stars now, giddy from his words.