Chapter 14 Eat
SOMA
In their fancy gowns and jewels that catch the light, the contestants look ethereal. Maeve has regained her smile, with no trace of the earlier altercation. Beside her, Sheila looks regal in a sea‑foam green dress, glancing around with a polite but sharp smile.
My stomach growls low, and I tense, hoping no one heard it. But my eyes meet Tristan, and he doesn’t look away. Not immediately.
A voice breaks us out of our stare, and I swallow when the introductions start. One by one, the girls step up to the microphone, stating their names and why they wish to be Luna. Their voices echo, beautiful and strong.
When Maeve and Sheila go up, I frown. I don’t know the other contestants to tell how sincere they are about their reasons, but I know my cousins only care about power, title, and influence.
At midnight, the introductions end, and Lilith moves to the center of the stage. In her hand is a staff topped with a shining crystal orb. Since it’s a full moon tonight, the air sizzles with the Goddess’ energy. Weak as I am, I feel its divine strength, and something warm runs through me.
Lilith raises her staff to the ceiling, which shifts open to reveal the midnight sky and dazzling moon. The orb glows faintly at first, then strongly, sending soft beams that play across the stage and the girls’ faces.
It’s the moon.
Lilith is summoning the power of the Moon Goddess to aid her selection. I’ve always heard about it, but it’s my first time witnessing it. It’s… beautiful.
The music switches to a softer tune, and Lilith sways in a dance. Her movements are fluid and graceful, holding all of us in a trance. From here, she looks like she’s floating. The light sweeps across the audience, lighting up faces, then returning to the girls.
A hush falls over the hall, and a gust of wind sweeps in from the open ceiling. Even the clinking of glasses stops. Lilith points the staff toward our table, right at me, and I let out a startled laugh when Brynne rises. Of course, it can’t be me. I’m not even a contestant.
People part for Brynne as he steps onto the stage to join the priestess, and a dreamy sigh echoes from the nearby table as he stands under the full glare of the moon’s light. He might be a cruel prince, but that doesn’t detract from his handsomeness. The Goddess took her time to create him with that well-defined jaw, strong cheekbones, and perfect eyebrows. His earring is different tonight. Instead of a stud, it dangles from one ear. The gold matches too well with his crown.
Lilith resumes her dance, twirling in rhythm. My stomach growls again, and I shrink behind Brynne’s empty chair, hoping the music will muffle the sound.
When I glance up, Tristan is watching me. He motions for me to come, but my feet forget how to function. While others watch the show unfold, he watches me. When I don’t move, he rises to his feet. My heart beats fast, and I try not to fidget. This is an important aspect of the ceremony. I can’t afford to cause a scene.
Tristan walks past me, his voice a low growl beside my ear. “Eat something already. And stop disturbing the rest of us.”
The tray shakes, but he’s gone, past the table and into the hallway. I don’t move, not until he returns to the hall and reclaims his seat. This time, he holds my gaze for a moment too long, his brows knitted in a challenge.
If he wants to tempt me into stealing, so I’ll get into trouble with him or his brothers, I won’t. But when he tips his jaw, as if telling me to look down, I do. There’s something on the tray. Two small bowls, one of which contains berries, and the other filled with square cake slices.
Did he drop that there?
There’s a missing bowl on his side of the table that confirms my suspicions, and his berries seem to be missing a chunk. My cheeks flush, but his attention returns to the stage before I can mouth my gratitude.
When no one is looking, I pop a berry into my mouth and sigh softly as it melts on my tongue. Once the berries are gone, the cake is next. It tastes of sugar and guilt. But I don’t stop eating until every bite is gone. Bits of the cake stick to my fingers, but I wipe my hands over my dress before anyone notices.
Who would have thought the middle prince had any kindness in him? Part of me suspects he only did it to stop my stomach from disturbing him, but I’m too relieved to care. If I’m lucky, I’ll get something from their table to bring to Mason and carry with us for our journey.
Much more satisfied, I glance back at the stage where Lilith dances on. The light from her staff moves in circles, glowing and then dimming across each contestant. Brynne stands stiffly beside her, his eyes narrowing at the twelve girls. There are twelve rays of light pointed at each girl.
One by one, the lights on the girls flick off, telling us ten of them haven’t been chosen. I hide a smile when Maeve scowls and fists her hands at her sides. She didn’t make it.
The audience murmurs in disapproval and theories. I’ve not seen Aunt Helen, but I know she must be somewhere, clenching her teeth. The music softens, and Lilith’s chants become audible. Only Sheila and one other girl remain.
Sheila might be my cousin, but I want the other girl to win. Even if I’m leaving with Mason tonight, I want Shadowspire to have a Luna who cares. Someone who will change the rules and end the discrimination. Maybe when that happens, Mason and I can return.
Lilith stops chanting, and Sheila’s light flicks off, leaving only one girl with the light bathing her. The audience goes silent, and the air thickens with tension. Sheila’s jaw hangs open like she’s in shock. When she recovers, she grits her teeth, her knuckles going white from how hard she fists her hands. Maeve slaps a hand over her mouth, rushing to her big sister to comfort her.
A relieved breath escapes me, and I giggle, briefly forgetting where I am until I feel someone’s piercing gaze on me. I don’t look to confirm who it is, but my hand shakes as I set the tray on the table. I need to find Mason.
We have a Luna. It’s time to leave.
But before I can move, the light goes off, casting the stage into darkness.
Everyone gasps. This is unheard of. These twelve girls have been carefully chosen.
The staff lifts, and Lilith loses her grip on it. As the orb regains its glow, it illuminates the shocked faces of Brynne and the contestants. I should be on my way to find Mason, but now I need to know what happens next. The staff hovers in the air, right above the priestess’ head, and the glow doubles. Slowly, it drifts across the stage, as if looking for someone.
Everyone holds their breath, including me. But the staff continues moving toward our table, right where I stand behind Brynne’s chair. My heart stops. I don’t like where I think this is going, but my knees grow too weak for me to move.
Maybe it came for Brynne. Maybe it can feel his scent on his chair.
The staff floats past Brynne’s table, and the orb’s light settles right above my head. I inch back, but it follows. Instead of twelve rays, it merges into one and centers on me.
Gasps ripple through the hall. My mouth goes dry, and my feet root to the spot as every eye in the room turns on me.