Chapter 11 What are you thinking?
SOMA
Standing first, Mason pulls me to my feet, steadying me when I wobble. I stretch my arms with a yawn, tired though I'm well-rested. Sheila and Maeve must be panicking at home, worried, not because they miss me but because they don't have their maid to dress them up for today.
"Why are you smiling?" Mason asks.
"It's the ceremony today. Sheila and Maeve will have to dress themselves up," I mutter. As soon as the words slip out, we burst out laughing. "I want to see them. Can you believe they signed me up to help with the serving so they can score points with Princess Sienna? I wonder whether they will make it. Aunt Helen will lose her mind if she hasn't already."
"We should go to the ceremony," Mason suggests. He brushes hair back from my face, his grin growing more mischievous. "I would love to see who becomes the next Luna. We can leave right after the selection. Cool?"
Still a little breathless, I nod. "Cool."
Part of me wants to see who the Moon Goddess pairs with Brynne. But most importantly, I want to see my cousins' faces when I enter the palace after defying Aunt Helen's orders. Even if it means showing up to serve their table.
I glance around Mason's room, and the empty walls seem to close in on me. Soon, this place will be a thing of the past. The weight of what we're planning finally settles in. My chest tightens with fear, anticipation, and freedom.
"Now..." I say, half to myself, half to him. "What to wear to make an entrance?"
Mason snorts, and the sound feels like the sun breaking through clouds. Tonight, we will leave Shadowspire.
The thought makes me so giddy, I laugh. Mason pulls me into a hug, his arms tightening around me. My heart quickens, but I don't pull away. I'm not sure what our future will look like when we leave. Will he finally take the initiative to ask me out to be his girlfriend? What if I have been wrong all along about him having a crush on me? I hope not, because I also like him.
He steps back, frowning. "What are you thinking?"
"Nothing," I lie. "I just... I cannot wait to leave."
We grin at each other, holding on until I let go.
The next hour passes in a blur. Soon, we are on our way to the palace. It looks different with the decorations, and I can't stop staring as we approach the gates.
Satin streamers in deep navy and silver ripple from tall poles. Glittering crystal lanterns float in the air, held up by some sort of palace magic. Even the front lawn bursts with color and motion. Everything shines in a perfect, untouchable way that reminds me I don't belong here. That I'm better off leaving with Mason.
Luxury cars line the driveway, parked in neat, intimidating rows. Most of them are black or gray, sleek and powerful, with unfamiliar symbols gleaming on their hoods. I spot a few palace guards by the gates, and I instinctively take a half-step closer to Mason.
He stays quiet beside me, his hoodie drawn up to hide his face and the fading bruises on his cheeks. He doesn't speak, but keeps his head low and his steps slower, as if trying to disappear into the shadows. But in his silence, I feel his presence like armor around me.
Still, I can't stop fidgeting. My fingers smooth over the hem of my dress again and again. It's not mine but Maeve's. Mason followed me to the house earlier, keeping watch while I crept in to grab it from her closet. Before the ceremony ends, I'll return to pick up my backpack. Everything but my diploma is inside.
There were no cars in the driveway when we arrived, so I knew the coast was clear. The three of them must have left for the ceremony. Aunt Helen won't miss her chance of seeing one of her girls become the Luna.
The thought of either of my cousins seeing me in this dress makes my heart jump to my throat. I try to push down the fear, but it lingers. The dress is half to blame for my nerves. It feels strange on my skin. Too soft and too expensive, like it doesn't belong to me.
Maybe because it's new. I haven't worn anything new in years. This pink dress is one of the many items they buy and lose interest in once they get home. That happens too many times to count. Instead of giving them out, they dump them at the bottom of their closet.
Mason catches me tugging at the sleeve and nudges me in the ribs gently with his elbow.
"You look good, Pup-pup," he mutters under his breath. "Probably more beautiful than your cousins."
With all the effort and money Aunt Helen must have put into her daughters' looks for today? That's impossible, but I manage a smile.
We walk around the side of the palace, following the path toward the garden. The backyard has been transformed. Elegant white tables are arranged in wide circles beneath canopies of fairy lights. Silverware gleams against folded napkins, and bowls of rose petals sit at the center of each table.
The backyard looks nothing like the place the princes bashed yesterday. A shiver runs up my spine as we continue forward. There's a faint smell of something sweet in the air. Candied almonds or maybe baked fruit. My stomach growls, and I place a protective hand over it, as if that will silence the sound.
People are already gathered, waiting for the ceremony to start. Some sit, while others mingle in small groups, laughing too loudly or sipping from slender glasses. A few girls about my age stand near the edge of the lawn in pale, shimmering gowns. Probably other Luna candidates, all waiting to be called forward. Their faces are calm and composed. I scan the crowd, but I don't see my cousins.
A flicker of relief rises in my chest, and I release the breath locked in my throat. Mason slows, and so do I.
"Are you sure you want to serve?" he asks.
My shoulders rise in a shrug. "I'm not sure what else there is to do. It's not a good idea to loiter around."
"True. I'll stick around," he says. We glance around, but no one is paying us attention. He pulls me into his arms and exhales. "Maybe help out somewhere."
We hug for too long, and I edge toward the back entrance before I change my mind. If I'm lucky, I might get some food to eat and take with us for our journey.