https://youtu.be/dMbmoRfDlBM

Erik~~

Molly once told me that when she was little, she dreamed of being a mermaid. Of swimming far away from the Society and Elleany. That maybe if she dove deep enough, her Mark couldn't hurt her.

Even with Rydersin's arm on mine, there's an ache in my chest as I stare at the carvings of the merfolk in the stone doorway. Despite being surrounded by Amorians, Molly would have enjoyed attending a ball like this, one where she'd be free to dress as a being of the sea and not a citizen of Elleany. Of my family. Of me.

Amoria's merfolk are not the same as the ones featured in Elleany's myths. Instead of scales their tails are lined in what looks like ribbon or seaweed, and horns curl from the top of their heads.

What would Molly have thought of the horns?

My heart tightens.

Will it ever get easier when things remind me of Molly?

"Erik?" Rydersin's voice is gentle, calling me from my thoughts and guiding me to look at her as if she were the real siren in this palace. "Are you okay?"

I force a smile. "I don't know how I feel about the horns. Seems kind of dangerous. What if two of them were making out and stabbed the other in the eye?"

She frowns, clearly not buying my inane words, but she doesn't press me, for which I'm grateful.

We step through the doorway, walking underneath the mer creatures, and enter Gadfrie's ballroom, Karn, Meilin, and Xioazhi flanking us. Overhead, light blue and green ribbons bulge from the ceilings like sails. The entire backwall and half of the left and the right are one seamless window that looks out on the sparkling sea. Water laps at the glass and for some reason it causes me to shudder. Even if the glass were to break, the water wouldn't rush in. And besides, it's not as if I'm Expired. The water can't kill me. The five of us cross the blue marble floor as a unit, and it's almost like being back with my cous—

"Ms. Torellae." The Preeminence of Gadfrie steps in front of us. Rydersin must have spotted him when he was walking because she immediately dips into a curtsy.

"Preeminence." She holds his gaze. Tonight, she should celebrate. Should see this ball as a victory one for her. Gadfrie had said if the rest of the Orders sided with Rydersin, they would as well. And now here she is ready to hold them to that promise. "Thank you for having us back."

"We're just glad you're able to attend one of our balls this time."

Beyond him attendees mill about, chatting, sipping on sparkling wine, but none are dancing though the orchestra plays a waltz on their violins and flutes and violas that reminds me of strolling through a seaside town, of oil lights flickering and seagulls crying.

"I am as well."

The Preeminence brushes back his hair and offers a charming smile. "We have a bit of a busy evening ahead of us, so if it's agreeable to you, we would like to proceed with the vote. It's really only a formality of course. At this point."

Rydersin dips her head. "I'd like nothing more."

The Preeminence excuses himself to call his Order, and about five minutes later, he returns alone and leads the five of us to the front of the ballroom where a larger-than-life statue of one of the merfolk rests—not stands because they don't have feet so that would be difficult—and also entirely uncomfortable. Not that I would know what having a tail is like. Enzo probably would. At the base of the statue are two staircases descending downward in a curve. As we descend the stairs, the fire that burns in wrought iron cages cast shadows on each of us and on the floor, giving the impression that someone is following us. The lanterns sway on a breeze that comes from below. And since we're inside, I have no idea where the breeze is coming from or what special effects they've got going on to appease such dramatic tendencies of the Order.

At the bottom, after what was the equivalent of two flights, the two staircases meet before a door that the Preeminence pushes open. From inside comes an eerie blue glow, which has to do with the back wall being entirely made of a thick glass that shows the unsettling fact that we're now underwater. Before the glass wall are twelve stone thrones cloaked in shadows. I'm sure if I were to feel around I'd find a light switch. And if I was trying to screw Rydersin over, I would flick that switch on to see the mighty powerful Order wince at the sharp light.

Rydersin seems unfazed by all of it. She's been here before after all. But how do her Veil feel about her being down here? Not that I don't think she can judge her surroundings for herself, only this room is making me want to skedaddle out of here, shimmy right on back up those stairs.

As the Preeminence takes one of the center thrones, Rydersin pulls away from me, stepping forward and curtsying. "Order."

The Beta twirls a lock of his long hair around his finger. "Rydersin Torellae, you've returned to us."

"As I said I would. The rest of the Orders have sided with me." The rest of the Orders as if Elleany's doesn't even exist. Or matter. But if it didn't matter, why would they make such a big deal over Jonas? Why would they care if Gwen's heir becomes the next Preeminence rather than Colton's?

"So we've heard." He lets go of his hair and leans back in his throne. "Acquaellia's decision was surprising."

Rydersin remains silent.

"As we said before, we would follow in our brethren's decision." The Preeminence rests his arms along the sides of his throne. "And so we grant your request to become Acquaellia's next Preeminence, Rydersin."

Her expression shutters, and she crosses her hand over her chest. "Thank you." She sounds almost hoarse.

The Preeminence stands. "Now, I hope you'll enjoy the ball. We all would love the chance to get to dance with a future Preeminence." As if we're going to let any of these dramatic creepy rich people who like to live not on the sea but under it touch her.

But Rydersin looks flattered even as what looks like a great white shark swims by the window. If that's not an omen to skip out on the ball, I don't know what is.

"I'd like for my Veil to attend the ball as your guests."

Meilin and Karn immediately protest, but she holds up her hands. "Would it be possible for them to borrow some clothes? They've worked hard, and I'd like them to have this night."

The Preeminence smiles. "Certainly. I shall have a Konkursi attend to them."

As we walk back up the stairs, it's clear that her Veil are not thrilled at the idea of taking a night off when that night off happens to be in this palace, but they begrudgingly go with the Konkursi that waits for them at the top of the stairs.

The Preeminence turns to Rydersin and holds out his hand. "May I?" The lights of the chandeliers made of a shell mixture catch on the silver laurel wreath resting in his black hair.

She hesitates. "No one else is dancing." And also, I thought she hated dancing in front of people.

"They will be."

I glare at his outstretched hand.

"You'll be okay on your own?" Rydersin asks and it takes me a few moments to realize she's speaking to me.

"Of course." Meeting her eyes, I step back. "I love being alone."

She purses her lips but places her hand in the Preeminence's. Seconds later he's whisking her out onto the dance floor like some prince charming at the end of a fairytale. The orchestra plays a song similar to the one they were playing before we met with the Order, but this one has a bit of a skip in the notes. It's almost as if the notes speak to each other, begging to be followed, to be copied.

He takes her into his arms, and they follow those notes around the dance floor. I grit my teeth. It wouldn't do to get jealous where a future Preeminence is concerned.

It only takes a few measures of music for others to join them. It's like watching the waves roll on the sea. Anyone with long hair seems to wear it down so that it sways with every glide.

"Are you in love?"

I flinch, finding the Beta has sidled up to me. He stares at me expectantly.

"Everyone is in love with something."

"So that's a yes?"

"I'm in love with food, beauty, intelligence, myself."

He cocks his head. "Are you though? In love with yourself?"

"If you were me, wouldn't you?"

He huffs out a laugh.

"So, is this the start of the line?" I ask.

"What do you mean?"

"To dance with Rydersin."

"Should I step behind you?" He smiles.

"I'm not waiting to dance."

"Then why have you been glaring at my Preeminence?"

"I believe the term you're looking for is wistful staring."

"If you wish to dance, then I offer my hand."

I give him a saccharine smile. "You couldn't keep up with me." I turn looking for the refreshment table when I find I suddenly no longer need a drink. Not when my body feels like I've had ice dumped down the back of my shirt.

Coming through the doorway is a group of men I hoped to never see again.

"Why are the Morettis here?"

"This is a ball."

"You always have balls."

"Hmm."

"Why are they here?" Gadfrie was one of the final places Jonas needed to visit. But if my cousin was here, wouldn't the Order have mentioned that if there truly is nothing to worry about by Alastair's family's visit?

"The Head Order never requires an invitation."

"So you're saying you didn't invite them?"

"Does it matter? We all bow to them in the end."

Hello! I'm sorry for the delay on this chapter. I took a family vacation and ever since I got back I've been catching up on writing, which means there will be another chapter later today. One of the places I went on the trip was Paris, so I got to do some "research." And I also got to see the catacombs--one of my bucket list items.