The gala 2
1160 Words
Anara.
A new presence pushed through the tension like a breeze cutting through smoke.
“Lucien,” came a pleasant, smooth voice. “I was beginning to wonder if you'd show.”
I turned to see a tall woman gliding toward us, draped in sapphire silk that shimmered with every step. Her mask was gilded with feathers and gems, shaped like wings stretching across her temples.
She moved with the ease of someone born into elegance — but there was sharpness beneath the charm in her voice.
“Lady Calithra,” Lucien greeted, his tone smooth but laced with something unreadable.
She offered her hand, and Lucien took it briefly before her attention shifted to me.
“And you must be the girl causing such a stir,” Calithra said with a tight-lipped smile. “The moonlight does you justice, my dear. Quite the entrance.”
I gave a polite nod. “Thank you.”
“The High Table awaits,” the lady continued. “Please, both of you. Your seats are ready — and you’ll be in fine company tonight.”
Lucien’s expression flickered with something close to irritation, but he gave a slight nod and offered his arm to me again.
I took it, and together we followed Calithra toward the elevated platform at the far end of the ballroom.
The High Table was long,clothed in deep red satin with tall candles flickering between crystal glasses and golden plates. Several figures were already seated — some masked, others brazenly bare-faced. A few heads turned as we approached, murmurs fluttering again like restless wings.
Calithra gestured grandly. “Please — sit.”
Lucien pulled out a seat for me, and only after i was settled did he take his place beside me.
To my left sat a pale-skinned woman with eyes like winter frost and hair in coils of platinum silver. She gave me a nod — not warm, but not hostile either.
Across from me, Lord Auren had already taken his place, sipping lazily from a wine glass and watching me with open interest.
“Now that all our honored guests are seated,” Calithra announced as she moved toward the head of the table, “let the night of peace and unity begin. May masks fall away and truths be born.”
Applause followed, but i only heard the beat of my heart.
So many eyes. So many motives. And somehow, i — the girl who once cried myself to sleep in a prison — sat among powerbrokers and monsters alike.
I felt Lucien's fingers graze my hand beneath the table. Steadying. Grounding.
“You belong here,” he murmured low enough for only i to hear. “stop thinking otherwise.”
The clink of silverware and hum of conversation created a soft wall of noise around me, but i barely tasted the food on my plate.
My gaze wandered from the shimmering chandeliers to the masks, the smiles that didn’t reach the eyes, and the occasional flicker of magic in the air. Everything felt too prestige, too curated — like a stage play I hadn’t rehearsed for.
“Forgive the intrusion,” came a voice smooth as velvet, laced with confidence.
I turned to my left — a man in a crimson mask stood beside me, his jacket tailored to perfection and embroidered with flames that shimmered when he moved, the lady beside me had left so he took her place.
His aura was bold, the kind that expected to be obeyed, noticed… wanted.
“I couldn’t help but admire your presence this evening,” he said, bowing slightly. “Lady Anara, is it? May I have the honor of a dance?”
Lucien’s fork paused midair.
I blinked. “Oh—”
“She’s resting,” Lucien said, not even glancing up.
The stranger’s eyes didn’t leave mine “A single dance wouldn’t tire her, surely. It would be a shame to waste such beauty tonight.”
I stiffened, my mouth parting slightly to respond — but Lucien set down his fork with a quiet clink and rose from his seat.
The temperature seemed to drop.
Lucien stopped around my chair, his presence a storm barely leashed. “If I ever catch you speaking to her like that again,” he said calmly, “I won’t care who your father is. I will break your jaw and make sure you never speak again.”
The man’s smile twitched, faltering. “I didn’t mean—”
“I don’t care what you meant,” Lucien growled, taking one slow, threatening step forward. “Walk away.”
A few guests nearby were now watching. Some tried to pretend they weren’t. Others simply enjoyed the drama.
The stranger hesitated — then gave me one last look, tipped his head stiffly, and disappeared into the crowd.
Lucien returned to his seat, jaw clenched.
My heart raced. “You didn’t have to—”
“I did.” His tone softened only slightly as he looked at me. “You looked uncomfortable. I won’t let anyone make you feel like that again.”
My eyes dropped to my lap. I shouldn’t have liked how protective he’d sounded. I shouldn’t have liked how furious he’d gotten over someone else wanting me.
But gods, I did.
I leaned back in my chair, letting my eyes wander briefly over the candle-lit room before settling once more on Lucien beside me. The weight of the evening lingered in my chest—not heavy, but undeniably there.
“are you always this.. Scary?”I asked my lips curling slightly at the corners.
His eyes meet mine. Unreadable as usual. “only when someone forgets their place”
“well I don't think he'll be trying anything again”
“he can't. Some audacity he has, maybe he didn't know you came with me”I just chuckled. He looks kinda.. Cute, when he's annoyed.
“Will Darius be here tonight?”I asked quietly
Lucien arched a brow, lips curving slightly. “You’ve grown rather fond of my cousin.”
A small smile touched my lips. “Well, he’s always around. It’s... comforting.”
Lucien leaned in just slightly, his voice low and smooth. “Is that what this is about? You want me around you all the time too?”
I scoffed softly, eyes narrowing. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
He chuckled, the sound deep and rich. “Too late.”
Then he added, “Darius and Silas are on their way. They’ll join us soon.”
My shoulders visibly eased. “That makes me feel better. At least I won’t be drowning in unfamiliar faces.”
Lucien glanced at me, eyes dark and steady. “You won’t be drowning in anything, Anara. Not while I’m here.”
I met his gaze, and for a brief second, the noise of the gala faded into a soft blur.
Almost immediately footsteps approached us..
- Writer
