"Announcing her royal highness Queen Elora of the Light Court. Bright may she be." the announcer in the doorway calls out.

"Bright may she be." the attendees echo back as I step out of the shadowy hallway and into the extravagant splendour of the ballroom.

Magical sunbeams are being cast from the ceiling and through the crystal chandeliers, sending pretty waves of rainbows sparkling across the walls and floors. Outside, the sun has set over the gardens and tiny light jewels sparkle along hedges and mark the edge of the paths.

Even the night can look warm and inviting in the Light Court. My heart aches a little as I remember that the last party we held was for my brother's coronation. It had only been shortly after our parents had passed and a rather subdued affair.

Despite the tragedy our Kingdom had seen, the guests apparently had no such qualms with today's event. Laughter and chatter fills the space and I force my lips to curve into an answering smile as I descend the staircase.

The crowd throngs around the bottom step, with people eager to catch my eye and introduce themselves. That is, until Alessia steps down ahead of me, forcing them back to create space. I shoot her a grateful look as she escorts me through the crowd to the raised platform that houses the thrones.

My feet automatically lead me to my usual one before I remember that the others are gone and the largest one is my own now. Nervously I let fingers trace over the ornately carved arm rest made from the finest white holly wood centuries ago. It feels wrong somehow to touch it. Great Kings and Queens have sat in this very chair and I wonder if I will ever be worthy of them.

A throne never truly intended for me, but here I was just the same, sinking into the plush gold velvet. As I clutch the edge of the seat beneath my skirts in an attempt to ground myself, my mind drifts back to the first time I sat on it. It was a silly moment when Ayden and I fought over who could sit on our Father's lap when he was on it. Ever the diplomat Father had stood and told us to sit together whilst he answered questions from our people. We had spent the entire afternoon giggling and clambering all over it, much to visitors amusement.

Now, here I was seated in it again. A little older, a little wiser, and a little more alone.

My eyes survey the room. The staff have truly outdone themselves, especially considering how long it has been since we last hosted a ball. I determine I will thank them all personally and see that they are rewarded for their work tomorrow.

A nervous-looking guard approaches and I see him swallow hard as he looks at Alessia standing, stony-faced at my side, "My Queen." he stammers with a low bow, "My lady."

He turns slightly and bows again to Alessia.

"That's Captain to you, Kyp." Alessia snaps and the guards pointed ears redden with embarrassment.

"What did you need? Kyp is it?" I ask, frowning at Alessia.

She is normally far more patient, especially with those who are new to our service, as I suspect Kyp is. "Yes ma'am," he says softly, "The Lords and Ladies would like to put forward their champions for the Croí Éadrom Games."

"She only just got here." Alessia barks out and I find myself giving her another look of concern.

Whilst she has a point, and I had hoped for a breather, I half-expected this. "Not to worry. Thank you Kyp, if you could ask them to wait to the side here to present themselves. I don't want for them to be in the way of all the dancing."

He nods, "Of course my Queen."

Before Alessia can get in another biting comeback, he rushes away to obey.

I give Alessia a curious look, "What was all that about?"

She looks startled, as though she didn't expect me to notice anything was wrong, and pauses to think carefully before replying, "The boy confessed his feelings for me. I am trying not to let his silly behaviour affect our work."

I let out a surprised giggle. Whilst Alessia is stunning, her attitude is less so and always seems to get people's backs up. She is more married to her work than anything else. "You know you don't have to abstain from a little fun." I remind her.

I may be forced by my station to accept nothing more than a chaste kiss before marriage, but that does not mean everyone should.

She looks surprised again. "I do not abstain, I just do not wish to mix it up with my work." she explains slowly.

My eyes widen. Although she had never mentioned it before, I am surprised to realise she isn't the prude I first believed.

Before we can explore the topic further, the first of those planning to fight for my hand is brought forward.

Prince Finn of Hentra is a light fae I have known most of my life. Unlike Owen, he never showed the slightest bit of interest in befriending me. Preferring to spend his time with Ayden and the boys. They all saw me as the annoying little sister, rather than anything else. With Hentra castle bordering the dark fae lands, his family has always been close with my own.

"My Queen." Finn says with a charming smile and a low bow, his eyes never leaving my face.

"Prince Finn." I reply, nodding my head in greeting.

"I am here to promise myself to you in the Croí Éadrom Games," he pulls his sword and kneels with it held out before him, "If you will have me."

When I look into his eyes, I see a pain that reflects my own. He loved my brother as well. Perhaps more than I ever realised.

"I accept your promise, Prince Finn." I reply, "And thank you."

He doesn't ask why I am thanking him as he stands and bows again before stepping away. I watch him move to stand nearest the doors leading to the gardens and feel a twinge of sadness on his behalf. Someone else who is as detached as I feel from the revelry.

There is no time to dwell on our shared grief as the next to offer himself approaches. Lord Liam of Danrule gives a half-hearted bow as his scheming Father watches our interactions closely. I thank him and accept his offer despite the fact he looks like he would rather be anywhere but here.

As he stalks back to his Father, I am reminded that each of those offering themselves are likely doing so out of family duty. I am an obligation rather than a longed for relationship.

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Though I had always longed for a love match, it was made clear to me early on it my life that my purpose was to provide political alliances for the kingdom. My position had changed, and the choice was now my own, but the intentions for my partner remained the same.

Before I can get entirely lost in my head, a vaguely familiar light fae woman approaches and performs a perfect curtsy, "Lady Melida of Pelterrin." she smiles, "I wish to promise myself to you in the games."

Although she is not my preference, typically she has a warmth to her that is instantly attractive and nod, "I accept your promise, Lady Melida."

She looks like she is tempted to say something else, but at the last-minute changes her mind and bobs another curtsy before stepping away.

The next to step up is Owen and his smile pulls an answering one from me that I don't have to force. A friend would be a good option if I had to marry someone. "I accept your promise, Lord Owen." I reply after he makes his declaration.

Of all the people I have seen so far, he is the only one who looks genuinely happy to see me. It is unfortunate that his position means he is not the most advantageous match for me. A fact the council will no doubt impress on me in our next meeting.

"I don't suppose I could receive a promise from you as well?" Owen asks.

I tense. If he is about to ask me to say I want him too, then I will have to reject him and the thought of hurting my friend affects me more deeply than I care to admit. Something about my reaction has him rushing to explain, "A dance! A dance, please will you promise me a dance?"

"Of course." I smile, relieved he isn't asking more of me.

He looks happy as he backs away and moves to stand just off the side of the platform, clearly waiting for me.

The next to approach is Lady Lina, a formidable light fae with a serious expression and look of disdain, as though the whole night was disappointing her in some way. She glares at Owen and looks like she would happily murder him before she makes her promise. It's not an expression I am used to seeing on those from my court and I accept her quickly, so she will leave.

The next is a dark fae Prince called Edmund, who attempts to charm me with little success. Sadly for him, he is as beautiful as he is forgettable.

With six now promised to me in the games, I glance up expecting another. When no one else presents themselves, my traitorous heart twists a little. Either Ezra has forgotten or he has run for the hills again. After all, that is what he is good at.

Just as I rise from my seat, a dark chuckle sounds to my right and I spin to face it. "You didn't think I'd forget now, did you princess?"

"Prince Ezra." I greet him coldly with a nod of my head, and he arches an amused eyebrow.

"I could never forget you, Princess." he says with a wink and somehow I feel like he's talking about more than just this moment.

I purse my lips. "Pretty words Prince Ezra but actions and letters speak louder than them." I reply.

"Then I shall spend every day of the Croí Éadrom Games proving it to you." he laughs and bows to me.

"If that is what you wish." I sigh.

Is Violet's tonic wearing off or am I just tired of trying to understand the inner workings of his mind I wonder?

"Queen Elora, I promise myself to you in the Croí Éadrom Games." he takes a knee before me and looks up with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I accept your promise, Prince Ezra. Now if you'll excuse me." I answer, and turn to join Owen on the dancefloor and fulfil my promise before I am too tired to.

Ezra's hand catches my wrist. "Elora?"

There's something about the urgency in his tone that pulls my attention back to him. His face is still as happy and carefree as it always has been. "Be careful." His tone is light, almost conversational, but his eyes are saying so much more, "Rumours are flying, you cannot trust anyone."

I fix on my most courtly smile as though we are merely discussing the weather. "Then why should I trust you?" I ask.

Alessia clears her throat beside me and Ezra releases my wrist. I give her a small nod and she immediately understands, backing away to give us a little more privacy.

"Because," he says through gritted teeth, "I am trying to keep you alive Elle."

"It's Elora, and why do you care?"

His eyes widen in surprise, "I've always cared about you Elle."

"Elora." I snap, "I find that hard to believe, you've not even seen me in years."

How can he pretend to care and how can my heart still be so affected by it?

Neither of us moves and I'm pretty sure I've forgotten how to breathe.

"I should...I... I'm supposed to dance." I mumble, backing away after what feels like an age.

He doesn't stop me this time and I turn quickly, so I don't have to see what he does next.

Owen greets me, looking concerned. "Is everything alright?"

I accept his offered arm and give him a shaky smile, "Absolutely. Shall we dance?"