Chapter 35: Chapter 35
Patrina held her breath as Ziska's scaled hands fastened the final hooks of the gown. It was a creation of such ethereal beauty that she scarcely recognized herself in the mirror. Layers of diaphanous purple silk cascaded from her shoulders to pool at her feet like twilight made liquid, the bodice adorned with silver thread that caught the lamplight and transformed it into constellations across her skin. Three days had passed since her meeting with Quasros, days filled with fittings and lessons in dark elven etiquette that left her head spinning and her heart conflicted.
"Stop fidgeting," Ziska chided, her amber eyes glinting with amusement as she adjusted a fold of fabric. "You'll wrinkle perfection, and the house tailor will weep. He worked three nights without sleep on this gown."
"It feels too revealing," Patrina murmured, noting how the silk clung to her curves before falling away in a gossamer train. The neckline plunged dangerously low, framing the collar at her throat. It had transformed into a rich shade of purple that seemed to match the gown precisely.
Ziska clicked her tongue. "By dark elf standards, you're practically bundled for winter. Wait until you see what some of the ladies wear." She stepped back, admiring her work. "Besides, Master Nyxios will be rendered speechless, and that alone is worth the discomfort."
As if summoned by his name, a soft knock sounded at the door. Ziska hurried to open it, bowing deeply as Nyxios entered. He wore formal attire of deep purple and silver. His high-collared jacket was stitched with intricate embroidery that matched the patterns on Patrina's gown. His purple hair was styled to accentuate the sharp angles of his face, making him look both regal and dangerous.
The words died on his lips as he caught sight of Patrina. A flush of deeper color spreading across his gray-purple cheeks. His pupils dilated, the purple of his irises darkening with an emotion Patrina recognized all too well. Desire.
For perhaps the first time since Patrina had known him, Nyxios Dolos Keltos seemed genuinely speechless.
"Master?" Ziska prompted, her voice tinged with pride at her handiwork.
Nyxios cleared his throat, his composure returning though his eyes never left Patrina. "You've outdone yourself, Ziska. Leave us."
The scalekin bowed again before slipping from the room, the door closing with a soft click behind her.
Crossing the room to stand behind her, Nyxios approached slowly as if afraid Patrina might bolt if he moved too quickly. In the mirror, they made a striking pair with his dark, lithe form contrasting with her softer human appearance. They looked regal in their matching purple.
"You're breathtaking. Exquisite," he said, his voice lowered to an intimate register that sent shivers along her spine.
His cool fingers brushed her bare shoulder, sending a shiver down her spine. "I have something for you."
The scalekin servant moved to a carved wooden chest that had been delivered earlier, her bangles chiming as she worked the silver latch. "Now for the final touch. Master Nyxios had this commissioned specially."
The lid opened to reveal a delicate silver tiara nestled on purple velvet. Fine as spun moonlight, it featured an intricate pattern of intertwined vines studded with small amethysts that matched the shade of Nyxios's eyes perfectly.
He reached for the wooden case, opening it to reveal the tiara once more. "Will you accept it?"
"What does it mean if I do?" she asked, meeting his eyes in the mirror.
"It means you stand at my side tonight, not behind me or before me," Nyxios replied, his voice softening. "It means you begin to accept your place here. Not as a captive, but as my companion. My equal."
He lifted the tiara from its case, holding it above her head. "The dark elves you'll meet tonight will watch for signs of your submission. They'll judge both of us by how you carry yourself. Some will try to provoke you, to test your loyalty. Others will attempt to drive a wedge between us through flattery or intimidation."
"And what should I do?" Patrina asked, surprised by the steadiness of her own voice.
He lowered the tiara onto her head, "Show them your brilliance, your wit, your spirit. Remember that you belong to me," he said simply, lowering the tiara onto her head. "And that I belong to you in equal measure."
Their eyes met in the mirror, and Patrina felt something shift inside her.
Nyxios's hand moved to her neck, fingers tracing the collar with possessive tenderness. "Perfect," he murmured. "Shall we go? My father awaits us at the grand staircase."
He whispered as they walked, his fingers tightened around hers. "In dark elf society, it is tempting to try and claim you from me..." A shadow passed across his features, "If they try, it won’t end well for them. Stay within arm's reach of me tonight."
Patrina nodded, sensing the genuine concern beneath his possessive warning. "I'll remember."
Nyxios released her hand then offered his arm, his composure restored. "Then let us give Limdrion something to talk about for the next century."
The grand staircase leading to the ballroom curved in a graceful spiral, offering those descending a perfect view of the gathered crowd below.
As Patrina took the first step on Nyxios's arm, a herald's voice rang out, silencing the assembled guests.
"Nyxios Dolos Keltos, heir to the House of Keltos, and his companion, Patrina Warden of the Collegiate Alliance of Vyhelm."
All eyes turned towards the couple. Various expressions of awe, envy, giddiness, and pride shown on their faces.
Quasros waited at the head of a sweeping staircase that descended into a vast ballroom already filled with dark elves in their finery. He beamed at the sight of them, approval evident in every line of his face.
They reached the bottom of the stairs, and Nyxios squeezed her hand gently. "Breathe," he whispered. "You're doing wonderfully."
As they reached the ballroom floor, Quasros moved smoothly to intercept a group of elegant dark elves, his voice carrying just enough for Patrina to hear him begin extolling Nyxios's virtues and his remarkable human companion.
Mavros Vex Maelis stood a head taller than most of the crowd. His face contorted briefly with shock before settling into cold fury as he recognized her. His hand tightened around his wine glass. He whispered harshly to a companion, his eyes never leaving Patrina's form.
Nyxios murmured in Patrina’s ear. "Ah, Mavros appears ready to challenge me to a duel. How disappointing for him that you wear my collar already." A few of the elves nearby overheard him and tittered.
Across the room, Skotos Vex Maelis stood out like a white flame among shadows, his formal attire a stark contrast to the predominant dark colors of the gathering. His choice of white, identical in shade to the robes worn by the high elf delegation, drew whispers and sidelong glances. Near him, several dark elf women in revealing gowns circled like predators, their attention fixed on his striking figure.
"My daughter seems fascinated by this dark elf," observed a tall high elf with silver hair and severe features, addressing Wynth Besanril as they stood near a column of carved obsidian wood.
"Father, please," Wynth murmured, her green eyes following Skotos's movements through the crowd. "We've discussed this."
"Indeed we have," Ambassador Besanril replied coldly. "Yet he dresses in our colors tonight, making a statement that cannot be ignored. I question his loyalty to his house, and by extension, the sincerity of his intentions toward you."
Across the room, Skotos gracefully extricated himself from the circle of admiring dark elves, making his way toward the high elf delegation. His eyes found Wynth's for a moment before he bowed formally to her father.
"Ambassador Besanril, you honor House Keltos with your presence," Skotos said, his voice perfectly modulated to convey respect without subservience.
The ambassador acknowledged, his tone distinctly cold, "Lord Skotos Maelis, your choice of attire this evening is notable."
"A small tribute to the elegance of Solasan fashion," Skotos replied smoothly.
The ambassador's lips thinned. "I would speak plainly, Lord Maelis. Your interest in my daughter has not gone unnoticed, and I find myself concerned about your divided loyalties."
Before Skotos could respond, the ambassador gestured to two figures standing nearby. "Allow me to introduce Grand Librarian Aldergon Graniel of the Sylvanae Archive, and Magistrate Eliad Tin'vine of the Greenways Forest Council. They've traveled quite a distance to inquire about a certain human woman, a scholar who went missing on her journey from Solasa to the Greenways. One wonders how far you’re entangled in your best friend’s business or your cousin’s trafficking concerns."
Eliad sneered at Skotos, his amber eyes coldly assessing Skotos before scanning the room with obvious distaste. Aldergon, by contrast, offered a polite bow, though his attention seemed elsewhere, specifically, on Patrina's figure as she moved through the crowd on Nyxios's arm.
"Don’t even think about courting my daughter until you fix your ethics and lose those female followers of yours." Ambassador Besanril said cryptically, turning away in clear dismissal.
As Skotos retreated, he caught Wynth's apologetic glance, a silent promise to find him later. Meanwhile, across the ballroom, Nyxios guided Patrina deeper into the glittering throng, her hand tight in his as the court of Limdrion closed around them like a velvet trap.