Page 123 of Journey to the Elderoak
The rest of the greetings went smoothly. She met the king and queen of Igneothenia. Aelerion was huge and tall with brick red skin and bright yellow veins on his hands and neck disappearing below his clothing. His vivid orange eyes twinkled as he greeted her boisterously, his booming laugh sounding over the crowd. Thalia was lovely, with the same complexion as her husband, neon yellow eyes, and long gray hair. They both donned black clothing, Thalia’s ebony gown sprinkled with glimmering crystals.
The guests were almost done filtering in, and relief washed over Ava that this part was over. She hoped to do everything in her power to avoid Orion and Jareth and promised herself she would get through the night unscathed.
Once the guests had finished making their way inside the castle to the ballroom, Casimir approached. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” she replied. “Your family is something else.”
“If he says one more thing like that to you, I’ll have his head on a pike.”
“No, you won’t,” said Thorne. “We must play nice this time.”
“He’s not the one that threatened to throw him in the dungeons,” said Raine.
“I shouldn’t have said that. You two go ahead inside.” He nodded to Raine and Casimir. “We’ll be there shortly.”
The two warriors disappeared with the crowd, leaving Ava with her brother and Jorrar, who would announce their entrance into the ballroom. Heart in her throat and stomach in knots, she readied herself to be presented to the crowd.
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Ava was immediately overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the ballroom. Lively music played from within, mingling with the conversations from the crowd. She tightened her grip on Thorne’s arm.
Here goes nothing,she thought.
The commotion died down and the crowd parted, noticing their entrance. Jorrar stood before them and cleared his throat.
“Presenting, His Majesty King Thorne Everwood and his sister, Her Highness Princess Ava Everwood of Monterre.”
The crowd clapped as they made their way along a forest green rug. Twinkling lights floated near the high ivory ceiling—blues, greens and golds scattered among the thick canopy of vines above. One wall of the ballroom was open to a large formal garden, archways leading to the outside where guests could enjoy the flowers and plants of Mosshaven in the evening breeze.
Dozens of tables sat around the perimeter and in the garden, preparing to host their dinner. Each bore a sage green tablecloth lined with gold, stunning centerpieces bursting with yellow and orange flowers sitting on top.
The kingdom’s colors of green and gold were present everywhere. In the banners hanging from the walls bearing the Elderoak insignia, on the tables, in the guards’ uniforms.
They walked through the crowd, citizens bowing and curtsying as they passed. Ava smiled and scanned the attendees for any familiar faces. She caught Pax’s eye—who was standing guard near the back of the ballroom—and he gave her a subtle nod of encouragement, knowing how much she disliked being the center of attention. Remy and his brothers waved enthusiastically from their spot in the crowd.
She recognized the other advisors—Vivienne in a stunning navy gown bringing out the blue in her eyes, and Desmond a few feet away, gripping a wine goblet in his hand.
They reached a small dais where Thorne’s throne sat, the back carved with the Elderoak. Next to it was another similarly carved throne for Ava. Upon the platform, Thorne turned around and raised his hands to address the crowd.
“People of Monterre, we welcome you to the annual Summer Solstice ball, where we honor the traditions of our kingdom and celebrate the beginning of the season. I want to give a special welcome to our guests from the other kingdoms. King Aelerion and Queen Thalia, who have been in hiding for decades. We’re honored to have you back with us today. King Orion and Queen Seraphina, Queen Soren and Queen Astrid. Thank you for gracing us with your presence on this joyous occasion. I also want to welcome my sister, who as you know, had been missing for almost one hundred years. We welcome Ava Everwood back home to our kingdom and celebrate her return.”
Someone shouted, “Here here,” eliciting cheers from the crowd.
“Thank you all for coming, and enjoy the celebration!” Thorne finished.
The crowd cheered again and went back to mingling as Avaand Thorne took their seats. Casimir appeared and took his place behind Ava. Quinn followed suit and did the same on Thorne’s side, flanking them and prepared for any signs of trouble.
Ava whispered to Thorne, “How long do we sit here?”
“Just a little while in case anyone wishes to speak with us. You may get up and socialize in a few minutes, if you’d like.”
Socialize? No thanks. Not when the only people she knew here were working. Though maybe she could find Kai or Fanya and stay by their side for most of the night. Or even take Astrid up on her offer.
No one approached, the guests busy enjoying the revelry and drink. Bored and antsy, Ava spotted Fanya in the crowd. “I’m going to mingle,” she said as she rose and descended the steps, headed toward Raine’s sister.
Casimir and Quinn remained with Thorne while Ava pushed through the throng of guests.
“Ava!” she exclaimed as she looped her arm through Ava’s and pulled her to the edge of the crowd. “How are you holding up?”
