'Do you understand what a risk you just--'

As soon as the door behind us was shut, locking out the memories of that dark room and the devils inside, Morwena spoke. I let her curse and complain as I led away from the house, back towards the palace. My skirts were light and netted, floating in the night's breeze. By my estimation, we had less than ten minutes to make it to the palace before sundown, and the doors would be shut until sunrise.

Ten minutes to make a journey that should take twice the time. No problem. I quickened my pace, hearing Sakura's footsteps increasing in speed too. Morwena, catching on that there would be no discussion about me selling my soul, ran faster, setting the fastest pace of all of us.

Back through the alleys we went, across emptied lawns and the few stragglers leaving to go to the party. Luckily, the streets were empty enough as we dove up the central street, lit by lamplight on either side. At the end of the street, a great set of steps embraced the road, and we began to climb.

After around fifty steps, the palace's plaza lay before us, and hundreds of horses, carriages and footmen stood around. We continued our dash, having several smirking glances passed our way but silenced when we got nearer. Heads turned, conversations muted.

I bit my lip. Not good. Did we stand out?

I smoothed my hair, wondering if it had frizzed out of place, but it appeared fine. My hands felt the rock of jewel incorporated into my hair, noticing the warm I felt from it. The Opal was still with me, and it was a comforting thought.

Running on, sweat began to bead along my back and forehead and between my breasts, and I cursed my lack of ingenuity in getting us an appropriate lift to the palace. What was another child, really? I quelled the dark thought, feeling sick with myself.

Another flight of steps after the circular plaza. This was a bridge over the immense water, a circular moat around the palace's circumference. Like in the Sapphire City, when I glanced below as I jogged by, a thousand lights shimmered far at the bottom of the water, the underwater city having its own celebrations separate to the palace's.

I frowned. It struck me as odd that the two nations did not celebrate together. I made a mental note to ask Scarlett or Fabian, if and when I saw them again.

I will, I promised, but feeling the creeping sensation that I was lying to myself.

We reached the top of the steps. A gasp broke from my lips-- I hadn't seen the palace in full view before, and would not forget the sight soon.

A hundred turrets seemed to burst from the crystal roof of the beautiful, silver building. Like an old cathedral, a large stained glass window adorned the front of the main building, along with open gates surrounded by guards. My breath vanished; I was here. The King, the person I'd been told to fear, was in this very building.

I had expected darkness and chains and perhaps a few gargoyles, but to no avail. The palace looked everything like a fairy castle in the mummer's plays that had been put on in the village. The tallest tower, in the middle, was made of what could only be diamond-- a substance I'd heard about hundreds of times, but never seen.

Diamond was far more exquisite than any of its stories had told. The tower was pentagonal, with smooth walls of sheer rock that seemed both literally and figuratively above the marble building below it.

The marble itself was a bridal white, but with flecks of silver vein running through it, giving the building an image of sunlight dancing off a water's surface. Refraction of the sun's light ensured that the whole building was still lit up, even when the sun was a mere splodge of burning red on the horizon.

When I looked over it, I couldn't see the King's palace, but Reia's. This place suited her more than I could say; her brilliant shine, her gentle yet firm ground, and that bit of wonder that she cast upon people.

Is she here?

Will I find her at last?

'Let's go,' I heard a murmur at my elbow, and Morwena was pretending to bow to me. Taking the hint, I took the steps first, Sakura playing the dutiful younger sister as she followed behind. My thighs were beginning to burn as we reached the top, and red-uniformed guards saluted us as we approached.

The sweat I'd been conscious of whilst running now broke into a trickle. What if they recognised me? What if this was a big mistake...?

But the guards said nothing but respect as they took invitations from Morwena's hands and waved us in. Trying not to look shocked, Sakura took my arm and squeezed it, and we entered together like nobility, heads held high and trembling.

I could hear Morwena being ushered to a servant's hall, and glanced her way as she left. Sakura and I were alone now.

The corridor was filled with decorations, suits of armour, portraits of important people. It was a blur I couldn't afford to take time to look at; Aster and Azalea were cousins of cousins of the King, and had grown up in semi-luxury out in the Emerald district. Perhaps that was how Morwena had "acquired" their tickets. Maybe it was blackmail. I didn't intend to ask.

We arrived at another set of double doors, and two angels standing guard opened them for us. Another tripped over himself to announce our names. I played aloof and cold, but in reality I was staring in terror at the scene ahead.

Hundreds of people, crammed into one large ballroom, twirled and ate and chatted. The noise level was enormous, enough that it felt as though a hundred conversations were going on around me, but I couldn't make out the words of any. The hall was filled with orchestral music coming from the musicians in the corner, fifty to sixty angels dressed in black and white. Tables laden with food and drink were clustered against the walls, as were chairs on which angels were eating and spectating the dance floor. A lively waltz was currently playing; several confident couples whirled to a vibrant melody.

And the attire!

Everyone was dressed in finery, including the servants strolling between throngs of angels, carrying trays of glistening sweets or fizzing wines. Women wore dazzling hairpieces and red frocks, men were wearing tailcoats and bow ties.

Behind me, the announcer cleared his throat and cried, 'Aster and Azalea Lamboni of the Emerald District!'

Heads flickered in our direction as Sakura took my arm and we descended the grand staircase together. Flowers ran along the banister of the staircase, and the golden carpet looked expensive, not tacky. A flush crept across my face as the heads did not look away. In fact, more people were turning to stare at us.

'What's going on?' I whispered discreetly. 'Do they know...? Have we been exposed already?'

Sakura looked as puzzled as I did.

Foreboding filled my gut. Thankfully, the music continued to play, although the dancers had become more distracted with staring at the two newcomers than their own partner. When we reached the bottom step, I surveyed the room now at my eye level, and thought it looked even scarier in the thick of it all.

The small crowd parted and an all-too-familiar face came charging into view.

Oh god, he knows, I thought.
I tried not to let my eyes bulge as an even greasier Lord Dale swept over to my feet, and seeing his rush made me want to vomit, from revulsion and fear. Dale was from the Emerald District, for heavens' sake. He had to know what Aster and Azalea looked like, and they weren't us!

But to my surprise, Dale bowed low, exposing the spiral centre of grease upon his dark, long hair. Sakura gave me a distasteful glance, causing the corners of my mouth to twitch. No, I couldn't laugh. If the disguise can fool Dale, surely it will fool anyone who doesn't know the girls.

'It is wonderful to see you once more, Lady Aster,' Lord Dale said, and with a sickening jolt I realised he was flirting with Aster. Suddenly I thought I knew why she hadn't attended. 'I thought, after our last meeting, that you might not come. I had heard you might not come...'

It was a time like this that my mind recollected that fan I'd found back in Fabian's tower, the fan that had doubled as a weapon. Back then, I had no idea why someone would need to disguise a weapon into a fan, but noticing the flickering of lace between women's hands to waft the heat away struck me as a great way to murder Lord Dale and have gotten away with it.

If only life was so kind.

I smiled. Was that enough? Morwena had told me Aster was cold and distant to strangers. 'I had not intended to, my Lord, if my dear sister had not wanted to visit the palace once more.'

Azalea, the younger but more adventurous of the sisters, gave a small giggle behind a gloved hand. Sakura played the part brilliantly.

'Your sister is wise,' Dale agreed, nodding in appreciation to Azalea. Unfortunately, his greedy eyes remained fixed upon me-- or, what was my body. From my eyes, I watched them rove down to my chest (covered by lace, but still revealing), to my hips and if he could see around corners, I could imagine him looking at my butt as well. 'May I have the next dance, Lady Aster? You would be missing out on an opportunity if you say no.'

I dearly, dearly wanted to say no. And from Sakura's raised eyebrows, she thought Dale bold too. But what could I do? Aster was here for a good time, and I had vowed not to attract suspicion by upsetting anyone important. Giving Dale a dance now might save a million questions later.

I hope.

'I'm sure I can spare one dance,' I agreed, forcing a smile. 'But after that I really must spend some time with my sister. We have a lot to catch up on!'

Dale looked confused, but the expression dropped. I could see his thoughts belittling us chatting females, but the fact I'd agreed soothed any worries.

He took my hand, and I felt my stomach convulse. On a scale of one to terrible, how bad would it be to vomit on a dance partner?

'You must forgive my dancing, my Lord,' I said preemptively.

Dale laughed. 'Lady Aster, your modesty is becoming.'

No, not modesty. A warning, idiot.

Luckily the dance was a short one, and required little touching; I spent more time twirling than I did making contact with Dale. I stepped in the wrong direction only a few times, and smiled my way through it so that Dale had to reverse his own steps. By the end of the dance, I had spent my time searching the ballroom for clues, and Dale looked so flustered he'd forgotten to make conversation.

'I'm sorry, my Lady, I thought I knew this dance!' the music was coming to a close. Dale's eyes popped in concentration.

'It is a hard dance indeed,' I replied, smirking. Sweat coursed across Dale's brow as I cut across him yet again. He did know the steps. I didn't, but my bluff was fooling him otherwise.

Such an idiot.

'Please, allow me to redeem myself on the next dance...'

What was the next dance? I panicked. How many times could I fool Dale before he realised what I was doing? My stomach dropped as a sultry tango started up. The thought of draping myself across Dale made me want to vomit all over again.

A tap on my back saved me from giving an answer, and I sighed with relief even before I'd seen who it was.

I turned, and found myself staring at a chest. A beautiful black suit and silver waistcoat, decorated with a single silver feather. Curled around the man's body was a new shade of feathers; a deep turquoise. I glanced upwards to the man's face, and found features that were Fabian's, and yet were alien at the same time. A mask of deep blue and silver scales adorned his face, leaving me staring at his deep grey eyes and his exposed mouth. His hair was different again, pulled into a low, sexy bun at the back. However, his hair wasn't silver, it was a dark black, same as my own hair curling around my face.

But the touch of his hand in mine and I had no doubts that this was Fabian.

He was stunning, and my breath caught. My last memories of him were of us curled together and  his declaration of love. Had I imagined it? Would he bring it up? Or would he expect me to?

What about my anger? Wasn't I supposed to be angry that he'd left me behind?

I can't even bring myself to make him upset, let alone be angry at him.

'May I have this dance?' he said.

Dale nearly squawked in his efforts to bow and get away. 'Of course! See...see you again, Lady Aster!'

The tango melody was getting faster as I offered my hand to Fabian. He looped his own around it, taking a hold of my back. Heat flared from his fingers, and I found myself pressed against him.

'Lady Aster, hmm?' he murmured as we began to move, swaying against one another. He smelled like a crisp winter breeze, and I drank in his scent. 'You don't look like her. You're much prettier. I suppose that's why you've hidden your face.'

I blushed. 'It's a masquerade. And maybe you could have picked who I pretended to be, if you'd brought me along with you, not left me behind.'

'I knew you would follow, if you were able,' Fabian smirked. 'I am normally invited, but not this year. Lord Fabian is a traitor to the crown, and as such, I am here as a lowly ambassador. I left a few days ahead of you because I had to arrange this. I'm Ferlorn, a loyal subject of the Underwater Queen.'

I nodded, concentrating on my steps. I felt even clumsier in Fabian's arms. He didn't notice, or he didn't comment. 'What about the others?'

He looked down at me. 'They're here. Got a couple in as servants, Kirsten's acting as my wife, Scarlett's my daughter.'

'Oh,' was all I said.

I was overcome by the desire to push away from the man holding me and storm off home.

'Jealous?' Fabian teased after a few moments of stiff and awkward steps.

'No.' We sidestepped together, and his hip bones swayed. He was mesmerising to watch.

'We don't do anything, Lu. I don't look at Kirsten in that way.'

'She looks at you that way.'

Fabian smiled sadly, placing a thumb on my cheek. 'She doesn't, you know. She's in love with someone else. She just doesn't know how to break status quo.'

I was surprised, but I could tell from Fabian's eyes that he wasn't going to disclose this mystery person.

Fabian dropped me into a dip, and I squeaked, throwing my arms around him as my head plunged towards the floor. His body shook with laughter at my fright.

'You can jump off a balcony, but you're scared of a tango,' he said, and his smile was infectious. I started to laugh too. But he didn't stop there. 'You're utterly rude and blunt sometimes. And so, so stubborn. You leave me floored on a daily basis by doing something unpredictable.'

We moved faster, my breath ragged as we sped with the music, our bodies moving as one. We had a small crowd, but neither of us noticed; our eyes were locked on one another and the dance which might reveal all.

'Are you trying to insult me?'

'I wish I could think of an insult against you,' Fabian said, and he closed his eyes, as if savouring our dance together. 'Gods, you send me over the edge, and I jump willingly.'

My mouth was dry. I was trying hard not to let my emotions show.

'You don't think you're a princess; you thought the previous Lumina was a princess,' Fabian continued to laugh, as if he couldn't believe my absurdity. 'But you're more of a leader than anybody I've ever met. If princess means someone that captures people's hearts, wins their loyalty, and deserves to rule, then you're a princess.'

The dance came to a close; our finishing pose involved my leg over Fabian's hip, and him stepping backwards so that all my weight was on him. Held in his arms, we stayed motionless, staring up at one another, our hands sweaty and clasped, and his hand cradling my back. Heat burst into our faces at the closeness, and the sexuality, of what we were doing.

'You're going to do something reckless again, aren't you?' Fabian's expression was pained, powerful. I stood up, signalling the end of the dance, and turning away from him.

'Don't shut me out!' I heard him say, and I realised another dance was starting up. I had to get out of here, but where? I crossed the dance floor, barreling past couples starting their cha-cha.

Cool air blew in from the corners of the rooms; balconies! I elbowed my way towards them, reveling in their open and empty space. Hardly anyone was outside yet as the evening was still warming up, and everyone was inside dancing, partying and enjoying. I was alone on the small porch, overlooking dark green gardens and a night sky that was lit with stars.

I breathed in the air, fresh and clear. Leaning on the metal railings, I stared out at the Diamond City, wishing I could enjoy this moment more.

A voice broke the quiet. 'I hope you're not going to jump again.'

I whirled around. Fabian. Of course he'd follow me. I backed up, against the railing, and he followed.

'I want to help you, Lu,' he said, pulling the mask away from his eyes and balancing it on his head, so I could see his pleading face. 'I'd do anything for you.'

I flushed red.

'If...if you don't feel how I do, then one-- one word, and I'll stay as your friend forever,' Fabian said, his voice choking with emotion. 'But if you do feel something for me, let me be by your side. Let me be your other half, because my existence isn't whole without you.'

A tear slid effortlessly down my cheek. He reached for me, wrapping his arms around me and holding me to his chest. Beneath all of the disguise and lavish material, I could hear the same soft thump of his heart. To me it felt like the only thing that would never change.

'I can't risk you too,' I whispered. 'There's not much in this world I couldn't live without, but you're one of them, and I can't lose you.'

My words seemed to hit him with relief, and he gasped with joy. He straightened us up, so that we were still entangled but he was taller than me once more. 'Lu-- did you just say--?'

I reached up to my tiptoes and kissed him.

I saw his eyes widen, I felt mine flutter shut. Everything honed into that one moment where I pressed my lips against his, and every nerve in my body lit up like a firework.

It was desperate, and a little salty from my tears. His mouth was so warm against mine, and needy; as he realised what I was doing, he kissed me back with full force, his arms encircling me, showing me his love and his hunger, all in one touch. He pressed me against the balcony, his hands pushing up my mask so he could wipe away my tears.

Our lips met and parted, all within a few seconds. Cheek to cheek, I whispered, 'Wait for me.'

It was all so brief that I could barely register it, and I pushed away from him, trying hard not to sob.

I clomped off to find where they would be keeping Reia, to leave the ballroom and that balcony behind, to avoid confronting feelings that were demanding my attention.

Now I'd kissed him, did I realise how much I wanted to do it again.

I'd found love, and it hurt more than I had realised.

---

A/N: OKAY, so I didn't quite reach the point I wanted to in this chapter, but the next chapter is ready so be prepared for a quick update soon! ;)

What did you think of Lumina and Fabian's KISS? Wow. Never thought I'd get this far...

Please comment your thoughts and VOTE! Readership of Equinox has been dwindling (so sad!) so I would love it if you're still reading to show me your love!

Larissa

xxx