(Chapter 2 continues.)

As Inanna and Drake entered the palace, Drake's voice filled the cavernous hall. "Ava Nori, Inki! This place is huge—bigger than our tower estate." The lively chatter in the room abruptly quieted, the sudden silence amplifying the sound of Inanna's slippers clicking against the polished marble floor, followed by the distinct clatter of Drake's hooves. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd like a soft tide, their curiosity palpable.

Inanna gave him a faint smile, her expression guarded. "Stay close," she whispered. This was not a place safe for Sumeris, and it was certainly not a place safe for a halfbreed like Drake.

The space was alive with color, music, and the intoxicating scent of ambrosia. Royals and the elite of Atlantis floated effortlessly in the air, their movements carefree and drunk with festivity. It was an extravagant display of power and beauty, but it made Inanna's stomach churn.

"People are looking at us," Drake whispered back, nervously. "It's because of my legs, isn't it?"

"No," Inanna replied, glancing at her own feet. "It's because of both of our legs."

Prince Rami, his flowing brown hair and green eyes floated toward them, two glowing golden drinks in his hands. "In-an-na," he sang her name playfully, a crooked smile on his lips. "Welcome to my home." He extended the drinks toward them.

Drake eagerly reached for one, but Inanna intercepted him, snatching it away. "Drake!" she hissed before turning to the prince. "I'm sorry, Prince Rami. Drake can't drink ambrosia. He's only seven."

The prince chuckled, his gaze lingering on Drake. "Strange, he's so tall for seven."

Drake shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny.

Rami took another sip of his ambrosia and waved dismissively. "Well, it's a special occasion. Why not make an exception?"

Inanna forced a smile and raised the glass she had taken. "Let's you and I share these," she said lightly, redirecting his attention.

Drake frowned, looking down at the floor, frowning.

Rami turned back to Inanna, his green eyes gleaming. "Where's your brother, Manik? I see my cousin Han'a is here alone. I rarely see one without the other."

Inanna's shoulders stiffened. She didn't like where this was going. "Manik is with Father," she replied, evenly. "He's to be announced as the family kalasaar after the inauguration." Inanna add.

Rami smirked, his tone laced with mockery. "Yes, I've heard."

Inanna felt her discomfort deepen.

"And where's Sirius?" Rami probed, scanning the room, a sinister grin curling across his lips.

"I imagine he's with his fiancée, Kisra," Inanna replied, holding the prince's gaze with practiced composure. Her parents' warnings echoed in her mind—Never offend a royal outright. Always be agreeable, no matter how much it pains you.

"Pity, he doesn't have great taste in women," Rami mused, his gaze sweeping over her, lingering far too long on her figure.

Inanna's felt deeply uncomfortable. For most Atlantean women, Rami's attention would have been thrilling. But to her, he was nothing short of insufferable.

Forcing a tight smile, Inanna said, "I couldn't agree more, Prince Rami."

Out of the corner of her eye, Inanna spotted Sirius. His dark brown, shoulder-length hair rested against a tunic strikingly similar to the one Manik had worn that morning. Beside him stood Kisra, her arm looped through his. Her fair skin and green eyes caught the soft daylight streaming through the windows, her hair pulled up in an extravagant bun. Inanna's stomach tightened. She needed to leave before they noticed her.

"Perhaps," the prince said, an uneasy glint in his eye, his tone dripping with suggestion. "You and I could take a chariot ride around the islands one day."

Inanna shifted uncomfortably, her unease growing. She needed an escape. Quickly setting her glass of ambrosia on a nearby table, she reached for Drake's hand. "We've been urgently looking for our mother."

"The High Priestess is over there," the prince said, turning midair and gesturing toward the large crowd behind him.

Inanna glanced past him but couldn't spot her. Nevertheless, this was her chance to make an escape. "Ah, then we must speak with her before the King's speech. Please excuse us."

Rami's smile faltered as Inanna bowed low, nudging Drake to do the same. "Very well," he said begrudgingly, watching as they walked away.

Once they were out of earshot, Inanna hooked her arm around Drake's and whispered, "Let's get out of here, fast."

Drake glanced up at her, sensing her tension. "Where are we going?"

Inanna opened her mouth to reply but froze, her words catching in her throat. Her gaze locked onto a grotesque scene across the room—a cat halfbreed, adorned in elaborate royal garb, was dancing gracefully on a raised platform. A crowd had gathered around her, their eyes fixed on her fluid movements and striking beauty, murmurs of admiration rippling through the air.

Inanna's stomach churned, unease twisting inside her. She recognized the exploitative undertones of the spectacle, masked as entertainment for the elite. Her fingers tightened around the folds of her gown as the distant echo of her Mother's warnings about Atlantis' darker history resurfaced.

"Just come with me," she said through clenched teeth, steering Drake away before he could see.

They burst through a pair of grand double doors into a quiet, cavernous gallery. Inanna exhaled deeply, the tension in her chest easing. "This is the Grand Gallery," she said, relaxing a little. "I haven't been here in years."

"This place is so cool." Drake said, wandering off to inspect a towering sculpture of a horse halfbreed. "Who's this?" he asked, pointing to a stone figure of a muscular man, his body marred by scars.

"That's a centaur," Inanna replied with a faint smile.

Drake knelt to read the inscription. "Gla-di-a-tor," he sounded out. "What does that mean?"

Inanna hesitated. Gladiators—halfbreeds once forced into brutal combat for the entertainment of Atlantis' elite—were a grim reminder of the dark history her people tried to forget. Though the practice had long been outlawed, its shadow lingered. Her Father's voice echoed in her mind this time: "The new king's reign was built on the blood of halfbreeds."

Inanna wrapped her arms protectively around Drake and smiled, warmly. "They were great halfbreed fighters."

A nearby guard shifted uncomfortably, his judgmental gaze fixed on Drake.

Inanna shot the man an icy glare.

The guard quickly averted his eyes.

She turned back to Drake, who was already moving on to another painting.

"Who's this?" Drake asked, pointing to a golden-framed portrait of a beautiful dark skinned woman in flowing white fabric. "She looks like Nezu."

"That's Queen Minsa Nori," Inanna said. "Some believe she was the Goddess incarnate."

Drake tilted his head. "She's dead, isn't she?"

"Yes," Inanna replied, softly.

Drake's gaze lingered on the figures bowing at the queen's feet—animals and halfbreeds. "They're like me," he said quietly.

"I suppose they are." Inanna ruffled his hair, making sure to avoid his growing horns. Perhaps bringing him into the gallery was a bad idea, she thought.

Drake grinned and spun the bracelet on his wrist.

As they continued through the gallery, Inanna's stomach tightened once more. A small painting tucked between grander pieces caught her eye. It depicted noblemen driving spears into three bull halfbreeds, their faces twisted in agony.

"Inanna! Why are they hurting them?" Drake cried, his voice shaking.

Inanna froze, her chest aching at his distress. She had assumed such depictions had been removed after the Nori civil war. Choosing her words carefully, she said, "It's a scene from a war. A very old one. It's nothing to worry about."

She couldn't tell Drake the full truth—that the painting celebrated the brutal execution of the original three bull halfbreeds, who had rebelled against their creators. Their deaths had been heralded as justice, but the story didn't end there. Years later, another was created: Ibris Mansa, a singular bull halfbreed forged in the image of Mansa from the Gab Nori. They said he was designed to serve in the Grand Citadel.

Legend held that he had fled the islands during the Nori Civil War, only to be granted clemency by the king for his valor in the New King's Army. Their mother, Cilantra, had personally vouched for him before Parliament and the royal family, citing her years training him as an acolyte.

But in the past five years, his name had become tangled in whispers of unsavory dealings with Donatello Cavialli and accusations of murdering the Khoraz in the Western Lands. No formal trial had been held, just new stream stories. Some said he was dead; others, that he had vanished into the shadows. Uncle Marcus insisted Ibris was a good man—someone he knew well—but Father had always disagreed. Inanna often trust her uncle's word over her father's. 

Inanna's mind lingered on the thought of Ibris. Where was he now? Perhaps, if he were still alive, he could help Drake understand who he was—and who he could become.

She also often wondered if Drake, like Ibris, had been created to serve in the Grand Citadel, but Mother refused to speak of it.

Drake's sniffles pulled Inanna from her thoughts and back to the present.

"You're safe," she whispered, pulling her young brother close. "You're a Sumeri, remember."

Drake nodded, but Inanna could see the questions forming in his young eyes. She took his hand and trying to lead him away, hoping to shield him from the past just a little longer.

The grand doors creaked open behind them, and there he was again—Prince Rami. "There you are!" He said drunkenly.

Inanna bowed again deeply, trying to force a smile. Drake followed suit.

"I found the High Priestess." His gaze lingered on the painting Drake had been staring at. "Ah, yes, the three treacherous ones." He said to Inanna, taking a large gulp of ambrosia from his glowing cup.

"Your Highness," Inanna said, bowing to mask the anger that still simmered within her. "Why is this image still here?"

Rami shrugged, drunkenly. "Who knows? I don't spend much time in this gallery. I doubt anyone does." He turned, dismissing her question with a wave of his hand.

"Who can I speak with to have it removed?" Inanna asked, firmly.

Rami's face twitched, clearly displeased by her question. He said nothing, but his sharp glare shifted to a nearby guard, who gave a subtle nod.

"And," Inanna continued, "why is there a halfbreed being paraded in the grand foyer for entertainment?"

Rami's posture stiffened, his irritation growing. "Inanna, I don't like your tone," he said curtly. "That 'halfbreed' has a name—Mona. She's an entertainer, hired to perform at this event. A beauty, don't you think? Go have a look at her."

"There's another halfbreed here?" Drake asked, curiously.

Inanna's clenched her teeth. She loathed the prince's indifference. "Just because you're paying her doesn't erase the history of—"

"History bores me," Rami interrupted, sharply, despite his drunken haze. "Come now, both of you. The party isn't in here, nor is your mother."

Drake glanced between his sister and the prince, visibly confused.

Inanna's hands trembled with anger, but took a deep breath to compose herself. "As you wish, Your Highness." She bowed her head again and followed him into the grand foyer.

The room was alive with music as a band conjured streams of mist and bubbles, weaving them into the air. The scent of ambrosia was thick and cloying, filling Inanna's lungs as they moved through the crowd. Cilantra was gliding gracefully across the room, speaking to a group of heavily clad Parliament members. Their expressions were rapt, utterly captivated by her presence. Inanna felt a pang of awe. Her mother was a vision of beauty and grace, everything Inanna aspired to be.

"Please excuse me, ladies and gentlemen," Cilantra said, noticing her children, curtsying to the group before gliding away. "Prince Rami, so good to see you," she said to the prince, curtsying again, this time lowering her gaze.

The prince frowned, visibly irritated. "Yes, yes. Your daugther forgets the rules of decorum. I need another drink." He glided away, muttering under his breath.

"What did you do, Inki?" Cilantra's eyes were wide with concern. Her voice lowered to a whisper. "We aren't here to make enemies with the royal family. This is an event honoring your father. For the well-being of this family, I beg you to behave."

"I'm sorry, Mother," Inanna said, sinking into her large gown. "There are paintings in the grand hall glorifying the execution of half—"

Cilantra's expression darkened, and she cut her daughter off. "Let's not discuss this right now. Do you understand me?"

Inanna had never seen her mother so upset.

Confused but subdued, Inanna nodded. "Yes." At home, they often spoke openly about the revolution and the atrocities committed during again halfbreed. Cilantra despised anything that glorified the abuse of halfbreeds, but here, she seemed restrained—fearful even.

"When you see the prince again, or any member of the royal family, you will be on your best behavior." Cilantra's tone was firm, her green eyes sharp.

Inanna nodded reluctantly. Just then, warm hands covered Inanna's eyes, and she heard familiar laughter. "Uncle Marcus!" she exclaimed.

"Inki!" he responded, kissing her cheek.

"Hello, Marcus," Cilantra said, unimpressed. "Did you sleep in again?" She rolled her eyes.

"It's good to see you too, Cilu." He said to Cilantra, kissing her on the cheek.

"Uncle!" Drake beamed, throwing his arms around Marcus. "Tell me more about your adventures in Alemuria!"

Marcus held up the boy, spinning him, his expression full of warmth. "Oh, I will, Drake." He pulled a airship shaped toy from his robes. "This is the latest ship we've built. It can transect the oceans and skies." He steered the small toy through the air with a flourish. "Whoosh!" He landed it gently in Drake's hands. "It's for you. Someday, if your mother allows, I'd like to take all of you for a ride."

Drake's face lit up as he flew the toy through the air. "Oh, can we, Mother?"

"Someday," Cilantra said tersely. "But today, let's focus on the luncheon."

"Yes, of course," Marcus said, his voice turning solemn. "Now my brother has everything he's ever wanted."

Cilantra met Marcus's gaze, her expression unreadable, before turning away. Inanna noticed the tension between them but said nothing.

Cilantra's voice was soft, tinged with sadness. "I must attend to the guests. Excuse me." She turned to her children, her tone sharpening slightly. "Behave yourselves," she added, sternly, before gliding gracefully back into the crowd, leaving an air of quiet unease behind her.

"You don't have to behave," Marcus whispered conspiratorially once she was out of earshot.

Inanna and Drake laughed. Inanna loved her uncle deeply.

Though he was a walker like her, he was also the owner of the largest company in Atlantis, his inventions had revolutionized the floating islands and the continent alike. Yet he was rarely around, always chasing new ventures. Although Inanna wasn't entirely sure, he now lived in a place called Bahyan City.

"Where's Manu?" Marcus asked, scanning the room for Manik.

"Probably with Father," Drake answered. "He becomes the kalasaar after the inaugural ball."

"Does he?" Marcus's gaze shifted to Inanna, who avoided his gaze.

"Inki, are you doing okay?" Marcus asked gently.

"Yes," she said, but her voice wavered, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"Why don't we step outside for some fresh air? I've never enjoyed these parties."

"I'd like that," Inanna said, her voice softening as she followed her uncle.

They walked toward the terrace garden at the end of the grand hallway, its lush greenery illuminated by soft golden light. Inanna sighed with relief as the tension of the evening began to lift.

"When I was a child," Marcus said, gazing ahead, "these gardens were my favorite place in the entire world. Your mother, your aunts Basila and Mistra, and I would often play hide and seek here."

Inanna loved these stories. They couldn't imagine Cilantra as a child. "What was Mother like?" Inki asked.

"Playful and full of adventure," Marcus said with a smile.

"She's so serious now," Inanna said, a hint of disapproval in her tone.

"Her roles demand it," Marcus replied, his voice firm. "It's not easy having been a family kalasaar and then the High Priestess. It's only become more complicated now that she's the Chancellor wife."

"You knew Aunt Mistra?" Inki asked curiously. Her mother never spoke of her. "What was she like?"

Marcus paused, lost in thought for a moment. Then, he reached out, plucked a vibrant purple flower from one of the large garden pots, and handed it to Inanna. "This is a lilac. I found it in a land far away and imported it to the floating islands because they carry a lot of medicinal properties—and mostly because they smell heavenly."

Inanna and Drake both smelled the flower.

"It's so wonderful," Drake exclaimed.

Marcus nodded.

"Why didn't Father play with you in these gardens?" Drake asked, admiring his surroundings.

He's so shrewd, Inanna thought.

"He was younger than us all, but oddly, he thought it was a waste of time. Your Father wanted to be the family kalasaar as soon as he understood what it was. He began studying politics when he was just a boy. He knew who to befriend and who to ignore; what to do and what not to do. Playing in the gardens wasn't on his list." Marcus said, pensively. "It's in your Father's nature to not waste time."

"You found time to have fun, and you're successful!" Inanna rolled her eyes.

"Successful," Marcus laughed. "I suppose it depends on how you define success." His eyes lingered down the hall, where Cilantra was conversing with guests. "I wasn't made for politics, and I couldn't move things with my mind. When you're the family failure, nothing really feels like a success."

Inanna understood her uncle clearly at that moment. "But you run the most powerful company in Atlantis, Uncle Marcus. That's what Mother says." Inanna said, trying to cheer him up.

"Is that so?" Marcus said with a slight smile.

Inanna looked at him incredulously. "Oh, stop being bashful." She wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug.

"Is that the great Marcus Sumeri?" exclaimed Prince Rami from behind them, accompanied by a few Senators in deep conversation.

"The crown prince!" Marcus said, bowing deeply. While glancing back at Inanna and Drake, he mouthed the words, help me. Then, standing tall, he said, "How are you this morning, Prince Rami?"

"Very well, where's your drink?" the prince asked noting his empty hand.

"I like your robes this morning, Prince Rami. They really bring out your eyes." Marcus said, attempting to change the subject. "Have I ever told you, your eyes are just like your mothers?"

"Marcus, you mustn't talk too much about my mother, not with your reputation with women," Prince Rami winked.

"Rami," Marcus's eyes grew large, "I'm with my niece and nephew," he said, looking uncomfortably at Drake and Inanna.

Inanna shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact with both men.

"Right, right," the prince laughed. "Why aren't you inside with everyone else?"

"Why aren't you, Your Grace?"

This time, Rami shifted uncomfortably. "Father is going to be so happy to see you. Let's get you that drink!"

"I look forward to seeing His Highness."

"Your family has truly arrived in Atlantis, haven't they?" Rami swayed drunkly. "Sumeri Industries is dominating telecom and transit. Your technology is incredibly innovative, sometimes just out of this world. Someday you'll have to tell me how you come up with these radical ideas." He added, hiccuping.

"Yes, of course, Your Highness," Marcus said, nodding with a carefully practiced smile. "However, I must speak with Marcellius before the King's address begins. I haven't seen him since my arrival."

Marcus pulled his niece and nephew into a warm hug before turning and walking away.

"Let me walk you in," Rami said, casting a disdainful glance at Inanna, likely still upset from their earlier encounter in the gallery. He walked along side Marcus, his feet firmly on the ground for the first time that morning.

Inanna sighed with relief not to be left alone with the prince again.

"I'm so glad he's back," Inanna said quietly, as she watched her uncle walk away.

"Uncle Marcus is so nice," Drake said, looking down at his toy. This was only the second day he had met Marcus. "I wish we could see him more."

"Me too," Inanna said, feeling something she had not felt in sometime—happiness.

As Marcus walked past the guests, women, and men alike found themselves distracted by his presence. Despite his feet touching the ground, it was not disdain on their faces but rather wonder and faint hints of desire. Inanna shook her head as she noticed several women begin to smile at him.

"Ugh," Inanna said out loud.

"What?" Drake asked.

"Nothing."

Drake picked another lilac. "I'm going to give this to Mother." He said, innocently.

Guards moved swiftly through the gardens, ushering guests with polite urgency. "Please gather in the reception hall promptly," one announced. "The King's speech will begin shortly."