Page 69 of Under Restless Skies

Marcus is wearing a dark, elegant suit, probably from the uniform supply room, but even then, he looks dashing like I’ve never seen before.

He glances me up and down, and, for the first time, a flicker of recognition crosses his face. I smile, planning to greet him, but he sneers and turns around.

It shouldn’t bother me, but it does. It stings.

Maybe it’s fine that we were never meant to be anything special, maybe his life changed so much that there was no more room for me, but still, can’t he at least acknowledge my presence? Be polite? We don’t need to become best friends or anything.

I turn to the table and grab another little bread roll, eating it carefully not to let any crumbs fall on my dress. Thunder splits the sky outside, lightning illuminating the otherwise dim room, as the sun has been covered by gray clouds.

We’re standing somewhat close to the royal area, so when a trumpet sounds, muffled by another thunderclap, I see the king up close, entering by a side door.

Accompanying him are the princesses—and Alayel. Of course he looks breathtakingly beautiful. How could he not? When does he not? His eyes scan the multitude and stop when they meet mine.

Instead of smiling, he seems startled as if he saw a ghost—or someone he didn’t expect to be here. He looks away quickly as if he hadn’t noticed me. Odd.

Or not. Maybe he was just surprised to see me in such a beautiful dress. But it’s not what it looked like.

I turn to my friends and smile. “Look who arrived.”

If Celine noticed any look of admiration coming from Alayel, I’m sure she’ll tease me about it and end my inner argument on whether he wanted me to be here or not.

Instead, she narrows her eyes. “Your friend looks sulky today.”

“Probably busy. Or stressed,” Nelly says. “I think I would be.”

It makes sense. Again, I don’t know why I’m disappointed. It’s not that I was hoping he’d jump over the partition and hug me, or wave and say hi, but at least acknowledge me. Give me a subtle smile, maybe?

Lightning and thunder rip the sky at the same time, with such a roar that I fear it might break the castle in two.

And then a sudden wave of dread takes over me.

The hatchlings. All alone.

What nonsense am I thinking? I found them on an island with as many storms as here. Had they grown up there they would hear thunder just the same.

But they wouldn’t be alone.

Celine says something, but I can’t hear her over the rain or perhaps with the buzz in my head. Something’s wrong, and my skin is tingling with anxiety.

“What?” I ask.

She says something about the food, but I can’t focus. Can’t listen. Can’t stay here even a minute longer.

Maybe it’s nonsense. Maybe it’s my humiliation after Alayel didn’t even acknowledge me. It doesn’t matter. My chest is going to explode if I stay in this ball even a second longer.

“I’ll be right back,” I say close to Celine’s ear, to counter the sound of the thunderstorm. “I have to pick up something.”

Then I run.

My feet are quiet on the marble floor, the shoes soft and comfortable as I leave the ballroom. People are still coming in, and I feel like I’m swimming against the current.

The staircase is thankfully empty as I descend to the dungeons. I doubt someone wouldn’t notice this dress and wonder what I’m doing here. My fingers are trembling as I open the door to the hallway leading to the hatchlings’ room, my heart beating fast in my chest. Horrific images flash through my mind, and now it’s not only fear that the storm might be bothering them, but that they could be hurt or sick.

Danger is like a cloud surrounding me, an odd scent reaching my senses.

Something’s wrong.

I reach their door and wrench the key in the lock, shoving it open. From here, the sound of rain is muffled, and a small lumos jar provides some light, but I can’t see or hear the little dragons.