Page 4 of Crimson Kingdom

Avani wrung out her wrist and laughed before falling to the floor in a heap of exhaustion. The sound warmed me after going so long without it, after wondering if she would ever laugh again.

I tossed my sword aside as well, collapsing next to her. We lay there in silence, only the sound of our ragged breaths filling the air around us.

“I see you haven’t forgotten Mac’s underhanded fighting techniques,” Avani panted out after a moment.

It was a testament to how much had changed since I’d been back that her voice didn’t even break when she said his name. That she could even say it at all.

She was healing. Slowly, but surely. And if she could do that, then surely I could move past everything that had happened in Socair.

And everything I left behind.

A dry laugh escaped between my rapid breaths.

“Mac always said it was fine to be underhanded if you were small. He called it being scrappy.” I shrugged. “I think he would have been proud of that move.”

She nodded and her full lips pulled back into a grin. “He definitely would be--”

“Doesna sparring generally require standing with your swords in hand?” The deep timbre of Da’s voice interrupted us, and we both looked toward the doorway.

His massive frame took up nearly the entire space, his crimson topknot brushing the upper beam as he strode into the room.

“We were trying something new. Besides, Rowan cheated.” Avani moved to stand, and I kicked her feet out from beneath her, knocking her back to the ground and rolling out of her reach.

“I would never.” I made an X shape over my heart, and Da’ shook his head.

“Regardless, mo nigheanan, it’s time to get ready for the ball.”

I glanced over my shoulder at my sister, and her face held the same resigned expression I was sure was reflected on my own features.

“Great.” She drew the word out, pasting a false smile on her lips.

Neither of us were up for dancing these days, yet the council had insisted on ahomecomingball, as though Davin and I had been in Socair for a seasonal getaway.

I supposed it was better than reminding everyone we had been trapped inside the mountain and taken captive. Twice, in my case.

Still, we tried to keep as many details from the people as we could, being that they hated the Socairans as it was. And this stupid ball would help further all that false good will we were trying to garner.

A heavy sigh escaped me.

“Come, my sister.” I bent down, offering Avani a hand up off the ground. “Our public awaits.”

Da’ chuckled at my dramatic tone and ran a hand over his face.

“If ye can manage to hold out for at least six dances, I will distract the council if you happen to leave after that.”

“Tapadh leat, Da’.” Avani thanked him, pressing a kiss on his cheek, and I followed suit.

Logically, I knew how important this night was supposed to be. I knew it was basically my re-entrance into society. Avani’s, too, since she was coming out of mourning early.

As soon as I came back, she had put away her black gowns. Though she still grieved, she said she didn’t feel it was right to mourn when I was home and alive.

It gutted me, having all of my fears confirmed about what my family had gone through while I was stuck in Socair. But there wasn’t a lot of time to dwell on it or anything else. The council went into immediate action to help quell the unrest that had begun when Dav and I disappeared.

Events to show off the healthy princess had been organized, beginning with the ball. Invitations had been sent the week after I arrived back at Castle Chridhe, and the date had been looming in our minds ever since, like a harbinger of tawdry, inebriated gossips, and backhanded comments.

I tried to make myself believe I could enjoy this evening, in spite of all of this. That I could at least lose myself in the simple joy of dancing, but I knew I couldn’t truly lose myself in anything these days.

Not when memories assailed me at every turn. The bad ones were enough to siphon the happiness from any given situation, but sometimes…