11. AURELIA

Chapter eleven

AURELIA

I realized the sacrifice that my grandmother was making for me. She allowed me to leave when it was her responsibility to ensure I was safe in the tower. However, the kingdom's safety rested on her shoulders and on mine with our shared knowledge.

Cora was wearing an inked face mask with small light feathers bordering her face. She would be recognized as the king's ward, and my grandmother said I would be unrecognizable until midnight. Even Cora said she had to strain her mind to remember that it was me and not a stranger.

The plan was to let everyone know that I was from the Zodac village and helping Cora with her studies for the week.

I held my gold shoes in my hand, holding the ends of my dress up with the other, as Cora and I exited my tower, stepping past the normally lit area with the purple veil holding me captive. The moon was above me, glimmering in the sky. We made our way to the gardens of the kingdom, where I had to stop to bury my feet in the dirt.

"What are you doing?" Cora scuffed.

"You would do the same thing if you were locked in a tower all day, every day," I shot back.

"Weirdo," she whispered under her breath and let me have a few moments to myself as I buried my feet in, feeling the cool, earthy dirt. Remaining there for a few moments, I loved every grainy piece getting stuck in between my toes.

Even though I could leave and go inside the castle for most dinners, knowing I didn't have to return to my tower tonight felt different. There was a different sense of freedom. I felt like I was escaping, and being free felt so good.

Once I was ready, I washed my feet in the large water fountain in the middle of the garden without anyone seeing me, and Cora rolled her eyes the entire time.

Walking along the outskirts of the castle, we made our way to the front, standing in line with everyone else.

I forgot what the front of the castle looked like. Towering and silver, it reached for the Celestials above. The brick boasted an intricate crisscross design running the length of its imposing structure. At the foot of the steps, massive metal doors stood ajar, with guards on both sides taking watch. As guests streamed through, they checked names off in ink on the rolls of parchment gripped in their hands.

I knew there would only be royals and other trusted city council members, but I never realized that so many people would come. People gathered along the front, waiting past the doors and down the palace steps.

Everyone was adorned with gems, glitter, and other gowns of stature, wearing their optimal garments to see the king and to celebrate with the new heir.

We headed to the end of the line when a guard came by and gently grazed Cora's shoulder. "Coraline! Is that you?" Turning, there was a knight wearing a fancy tunic standing near us. His hair was slicked back, an intense forest green, his fuzzy eyebrows matching the tint, barely visible over his brown leather mask. Despite the mask concealing most of his features, I was struck by his chiseled jaw and sharp nose, tawny freckles dotting his face like the Celestials dotted the sky.

"Oh, Sir Monley. You scared me! Yes, it's me," Cora blurted.

He bowed toward her and kissed her hand as she held it out. "And who is this?" he said as he nodded my way.

"This is a friend. She is here with me to help with my studies." Smooth.

"Nice to meet you," he said as he paused, noticing where we were headed. "What do you think you are doing going to the back? You are basically the king's daughter! Come with me, and I will escort you to the front." He started to make the way to the front, and Cora gave me an apologetic look. I wondered if she felt bad that she was seen as the king's daughter and almost no one knew I was alive.

We followed Sir Monley as we approached the front, where he met the gaze of the other two guards by the large metal doors. They wore matching purple, silver, and gold uniforms with white pants, complemented with black boots. He leaned close to the other two guards and whispered something into their ears. They nodded and motioned to the other people waiting to move back.

The people standing by looked at us in disgust as we passed them and made our way through the gates. As we entered, a scribe was standing near the apex of the stairs, overlooking the descent of the ballroom. His attire blended with the stark contrast of his checkered suit. A crisp collared ruffle peaked out, the sleeves matching. A feathered pen found itself secured in his hand. His hair was a sea foam blue, wisping into a perfect wave formation at the top of his head, with pearls embellished into his coarse hair.

Servants wearing simple black, blending in the shadows, carried trays of tarts, fruits, and other assortments of cheeses and crackers in one hand while the other was held out with fine white decorated napkins. The servants I had never seen before were probably the same ones that had worked here their entire lives.

The main ballroom was grand with style. Velvet curtains draped the expansive windows, the color of purple pomegranates, the luxurious folds of the material cascading to the marble parquet floor. The air was bathed with the warm glow of the chandeliers above, golden with small crystals flowing down. Large flags of a deep violet color hung from the ceiling, draping the sky to the dance floor and siding the curtains. In the corners, candelabras stood sentinel, mirroring the same golden hue throughout the large room, the regality of it close to breathtaking.

I remembered coming here once for my birthday as a little girl. My father picked me up and danced around the ballroom floor, making me feel like the princess I should've been.

A large banister wrapped around the entire front area, leading down to the ballroom, where hundreds of people danced and swayed to hand-strung music by the most experienced musicians in the kingdom. Everyone was smiling, laughing, clapping, and merrily drinking their wine.

The scribe that we ran into grabbed Cora's hand and kissed it. "How would you like me to introduce you, Miss Coraline?" I sucked in my breath, realizing that the scribe called out everyone's names, introducing them as they walked down the steps. Fear and panic arose in my chest as I obviously could not go by my own name. No one knew that I was alive and shouldn't.

"Miss Coraline, the king's ward, is perfect, Mr. Deetry." She bowed, and her eyes twinkled as she did so. Wow. I felt so inferior. She was a natural at being the king's ward and knew this man by name. A moment of jealousy stung my heart as I realized she had everything I wanted–almost.

"Miss Coraline, the king's ward!" he shouted across the banquet hall. He did it so loudly that I flinched.

She immediately grasped her hands along the railing and peacefully made her way down, her purple dress flowing behind her elegantly. Half the ballroom's eyes made their way to her as she gracefully descended, one step at a time, with one hand on the rail and the other charmingly waving to the people, claiming her title.

The scribe turned to me, the wave of his sea-blue hair jiggling with the movement, waiting for me to state what I would like to be called. I paused. An audible "uhhhh" escaped my mouth as my mind stopped working.

"Miss Laneux 1 ." My voice shook as I lied, barely able to get it out fast enough before it became suspicious. I didn't think I would have to come up with a fake name, and the only name I could think of was the dragon Laneux that Tobias slaughtered for this party to happen tonight.

The scribe called my fake name out loudly, and for a moment, I forgot its purpose, motioning me to walk down the stairs.

Mr. Deetry stared at me and then looked to the stairs, almost ushering me with his eyes. I took one hesitant step and slowly started to descend from the staircase. As I began to step down, one golden-heeled foot at a time, I could feel the entire room's eyes on me.

Looking up, I realized that it wasn't just a feeling; everyone's eyes were staring at me. Even the band stopped playing, and everyone watched me as I slowly went down the staircase, reaching the main floor of the ballroom.

Was everyone looking at me because I didn't fit in? Could they see right through me? Were my eyes gold for some reason? What if they knew what and who I was? Insecurities started to blast through me, locking up my confidence for the night.

I reached the bottom, and instantly, Tobias rushed toward me as the band began to play again, everyone falling back into their drunken stupor. "Miss Laneux , was it?" he said in a question, lifting the corner of his mouth upward, his eyes making impeccable contact with mine. I, on the other hand, was not here to flirt and did not want any form of his attention.

I had enough of it when I was sixteen and foolish. The thought of his face alone was disgusting to me.

He then reached for my hand, lifted it to his parted lips, and kissed the top of it.

I didn't know what to say for fear of him recognizing my voice. It was every night for three years that we would stay up late talking. I knew he would recognize the sound of it the moment I spoke.

Nodding, I pulled back my hand, rushing to the edge of the room where Cora was standing, drinking some mixed cocktail. Tobias was dumbfounded as I abandoned him in place, confused at why I had left so early in our conversation.

People were drunkenly dancing or swaying side to side, staring up at the ceiling, almost waiting for something exciting to happen. The bar was crowded, overwhelmed with people grabbing more drinks to take with them back on the dance floor.

When I reached her, she pulled me into the shadows where we wouldn't be seen beneath the large banister from above. "Did you see the way that Tobias was looking at you? He didn't even recognize you!" She laughed through her words, not even believing it herself.

"I am not here to flirt, Cora," I reminded her, thinking of our past. I glanced around the crowded ballroom, which resumed dancing and playing the orchestra of sounds, noticing the vibrations of the hums ricocheting off the walls.

"Yeah, but it doesn't hurt," she said through her teeth as she sipped through the straw of her violet bubbly drink.

"Who do you think has the map?" I asked, looking around at each person, wondering if I could see anything suspicious. Everyone was only holding their drinks or their partners as they pranced along the floor. I didn't see one person holding any type of scroll or paper.

"I don't see anything," she said, winking at a waiter who approached us, a silver platter displayed in his hands, holding fruit tarts that were drizzled with honey. She plucked one for me and one for her as it met her lips. "Looks like you're going to have to be social to figure it out." She grinned, elbowing my ribs as she faced her body to a group of fashionable young admirers, glancing in our direction.

"Do you think anyone would recognize my voice?" I worried, watching as Cora effortlessly flashed a brilliant smile their way with a small wave.

"No, I barely recognize you!" Cora exclaimed, rolling her eyes, turning back to face my way. After taking the final sip of her drink, she motioned me to follow her to the bar. "Come on, let's get a drink in your hand and get you socializing. It would probably look more suspicious if you were to stand by me all night. Let's split up and see what we can find." I was grateful to Cora for helping me find this map. I had no idea what I would do without her. Sighing, I attempted to release some tension on my shoulders.

Walking around the large room slowly, I took in the ambiance that enveloped around me, reaching the bar that filled the right of the ballroom. Curtains and banners flooded the walls, hugging the glass windows that covered the back leading to the garden.

We reached the black slick counter of the bar. A man wearing a tuxedo with a bright pink vest matching the coral color of his hair shook a metal container in his hand. The ice rattled when effortlessly the flap of the lid opened, pouring velvet red fluid in tall intricate glasses that he handed to a couple next to us.

A rag near the counter was found in his hand, rubbing the splotches on the clean glasses away, his deep blue eyes glancing our way to take our orders. He had to be older with how his face had matured with a few lines of weathered experience, his square jaw, and crooked smile.

"Two Warped Dials, please," Cora said. Pivoting on his heel, he turned to create the concoctions behind him, utilizing the wall filled with syrups, drinks, and fruits lined neatly along it. I had only had a Warped Dial drink once at my mother's birthday celebratory dinner months ago.

Within a few moments, the man whipped back around, handing us both glass cups with a sparkling dark purple liquid. A few bumble fruits were topped along the front with a straw sticking out. Cora snatched hers, leaving her other empty glass as the man swiftly picked it up and hid it behind the counter like it had never been there.

A few sips of the Warped Dial, and my taste buds shot right up. It was sweet, tart, and bubbly. "I wish I had a bar up in my tower," I whispered to Cora, and she responded with a laugh.

She darted her eyes to one side of the ballroom and then to the other, signaling us to split up. I nodded and made my way to the front of the room. The band played light, serenading melodies, the tender notes seeming to float effortlessly through the air.

People slowly danced with their partners along the floor, swaying to each sound that vibrated from the marble floor and walls. I surveyed the room one last time, looking for anyone holding any sort of parchment or any sign of its presence.

Nothing.

I slowly walked, holding up the side of my dress with one hand and my drink in the other as I watched the people dancing and chatting along the sides of the large ballroom. My eyes were flashed with glitter and sparkling fabric with the movement of the dresses and the worn flashy uniforms, signaling each person's status.

My gaze locked with a figure across the room, leaning against the expansive floor to ceiling window. His dark green mask made the silver tints in his eyes pop, complementing the platinum strands of his hair, the tendrils playing a part to cover even more of what his mask didn't. Though appearing slightly older than myself, the difference in age seemed minimal. Eagerly, I made my way in his direction.

"Not a dancer?" I assumed as I approached him. He eyed me again, checking me out, up and down, as if tracing my body like a map. Taking a slight sip of his cup of wine, his mouth barely touched the brim. My skin heated from his gaze. His suit was the same black color as his wine, making me wonder who he was. I noticed his silver nails that grasped the cup tighter after I spoke to him.

"Not tonight." He spoke with a deep, burly and mysterious voice. He took another sip from his glass, and I saw black tattoos rising along his hand, hidden by the sleeve of his suit jacket.

"What brings you here, then?" I asked, realizing after the words left my mouth that he was obviously here for the celebration.

"I could ask the same of you," he said with a snicker. I was wondering what his thoughts were. I didn't know what else to ask that would help give away if he knew anything about a map or if he had it himself. A realization occurred to me that I was much worse at socializing than I had thought.

"Know anything about a map?" I almost threw my hands up to cover my mouth to hide what I had just boldly said. Was I crazy? Why did I ask about it so fast?

Eyeing me, his deep silver eyes emanated a chilly gaze cloaked in ice.

"You should be careful what you say around here. You could have yourself killed." I gulped at the implied threat. He then drank the rest of his black wine, leaving the glass on the windowsill, and strode away abruptly.

What did he mean? What did he mean by I needed to be careful about what I said? What did he mean that I could have myself killed? Was he talking about me being a Scaleborne? Or did it have to do with the map? Maybe getting the map was more dangerous than I thought.

Scanning the room again, I swept my gaze to find anyone suitable for a conversation. Fear rose in my stomach about what the man said. However, I pushed his comment aside, even if it cost me my life. I had to make it to the dragon's egg to stop whatever the Deathlies were starting. The plagued war in our kingdom was beginning–one that was relying on me to stop it.

Before I could make my first step to talk to someone else, the music changed to a more upbeat song. Everyone started to break out, tapping their feet and raising their arms to the tune simultaneously. I was never allowed to be taught how to dance in the castle. It wasn't important enough for me to leave my tower. A smile slipped on my face as a man with velvet blue hair and a circle spectacle covering his eye grabbed me randomly, pulling me into the wave of people following along to the dance steps. We all linked arms and started to spin in circles, and I couldn't help but laugh joyously as we just went around and around in circles, alternating directions every so often.

As I watched the jostling of suits as everyone danced, something clicked in my mind, and I realized I had my opportunity to find the map with everyone dancing in the circle. When my arms were linked to men on both sides of me, I slowly inched my hands up to their chest to feel their suit coats and pockets. I mainly tried to feel for any lumps or indications that they had a scroll hidden beneath their clothes.

Everyone was so involved with the song and the dancing that they overlooked when my arms felt up the sides of their garments. Or they were too drunk to care.

In the middle of the song, the man I was currently dancing with released me, and then I was picked up by a new man, continuing to sway me to the tune of the music. I liked this dance as it gave me more opportunities to link arms with more people–more opportunities to find the map.

I did the same to the man currently linking arms with me and slowly tried to feel the sides of his pockets. My hands trembled with fear of being caught, and my heart rate had risen in panic.

Nothing.

Sighing, I swung around my partner, feeling defeated. I wondered if the map was even here at all.

Switching several times, I attempted to feel more pockets, but nothing was successful. I didn't feel anything bigger than a napkin.

The fast-paced song ended, and I was panting in exhaustion. Dancing all over the marble floor caused me to feel sick and dizzy. Others around me erupted in conversation during the break until the next song, not a single drop of sweat gleaming on their faces, showing that I was the only one feeling utterly lethargic.

Noticing my throat was scratchy and parched, I sauntered toward the bar. The bartender, who still awaited there, served drinks to others utilizing his services."The same?" he asked me. Shocked that he remembered exactly what I got, I nodded, placing my elbows on the cold granite countertop, my hands finding their places on the sides of my cheeks. The smiling was killing me. I rubbed the soreness out, kneading with my knuckles. He returned with a purple, sparkling drink in hand with the same exotic fruit as before.

"Wait!" I exclaimed as he moved to work on something else within the bar. He turned and looked at me, curious about what I would say next.

"Have you heard any talk of a…" I leaned in and whispered the last word, "map?"

He looked from one side to the next to see if anyone was paying attention. No one was.

"Yes. I did hear some talk of one. Why do you ask?" He leaned in more, his eyes sparkling with gossip.

"I am looking for a stolen map. I heard that it was here tonight. Do you have any clue as to who may have it?" He put his elbows on the bar counter and put one finger to his chin.

"Hmmm," he mumbled. I wasn't sure if he was trying to remember who said something about it or if he was thinking about telling me. "What would you give me in return for this secret?" he asked, his coral eyebrows moving upward.

I thought for a moment. What do I have that he may want? I moved my mouth up to his ear, so that there was no chance of anyone else listening to what I was about to say. "A vial of a Scaleborne's golden blood," I whispered gently, pulling away after the last word.

He stared into my eyes and gulped. "Where did you get that? I thought they were extinct?" he muffled, having a hard time getting his words out.

"That's a secret for another time," I teased. He nodded, knowing what a vial of a Scaleborne's blood would be worth.

"I heard our future heir to the king talking about it with a few other men about an hour ago. Here at the bar." Tobias? What was he going to do with the map? What did he have planned?

"Who were the other men?" I quickly demanded.

He looked over my shoulder and scanned the ballroom and all the bodies that filled it. "There. That man by the window with a green mask," he pointed in the direction, and it was the same man I talked to earlier who drank the black wine, "and there!" He pointed in the opposite direction to a man wearing a blood-red suit and black hair that framed his face. "The three of them spoke briefly about it. That's all that I know." He looked back at me, expecting me to give him the vial of golden blood.

"Thanks. What's your name? I will have the Scaleborne blood sent to you," I said, not wanting to give him something like that in public and not wanting to draw any of my blood at the moment.

"Kyle Warship," he said, bowing his head. "And who do I owe the pleasure of serving with?" he asked.

"Miss Laneux ," I said, quickly drinking the rest of my bubbly Warped Dial, setting it on the counter, and leaving without looking back.

1. Laneux (Law-neh-ooh)