I’ve not attended many, but there’s usually an air of excitement as everyone mingles and admires each other’s expensive outfits. This feels very different. Everybody is wearing a smile, but their faces are tight and their eyes wary as they circulate, as if no one knows who they can trust anymore.
Reaching the large, wooden double doors which lead into the hall, Wilson pauses, places his hand on my arm, and pulls me into one of the little alcoves built into the stone. Looking up, I take in his grim expression. He seems older tonight, dressed in his ceremonial uniform, and I remember he’s an accomplished magician, not just my goofy friend. Although I wish Grayson was here, I’m truly grateful Wilson is with me.
“I don’t know what’s going on or why we are here tonight, but I can’t shake this feeling that something bad is going to happen,” he murmurs quietly, talking quickly as he glances around, ever conscious that we’re being watched. Thankfully, no one seems to be paying us much attention at the moment, but I know it won’t stay that way for long. My gut concurs, something is afoot, and my Goddess mark starts to tingle with her agreement.
“But, Clarissa…” His voice changes, catching my attention. His gaze is intense, and he places his free hand on my shoulder as he speaks. “Whatever happens in there, I will protect you to the best of my abilities, I promise.”
My throat goes tight and my eyes prick with unshed tears. Not caring where we are or who’s watching, I throw my arms around him and pull him in for a hug.
“Thank you,” I mumble into his chest, the only words I have to express how grateful I am to have him in my life. I’m not sure how long we stay like that for, I’m sure it’s only a couple of seconds, but it feels longer, and I hadn’t realised how much I needed that bit of reassurance.
Pulling away from me gently, Wilson smiles and offers his arm to me once more. “Are you ready, Lady Clarissa?”
I know what he’s doing. He doesn’t need to address me as ‘lady,’ and he’s not doing it for anyone else’s benefit either, but to remind me of the role I’m playing. He’s warning me that while I let my guard down just then, and I can’t afford to do so once we step into that hall. Taking a deep breath, I accept his offered arm and nod.
“Yes, thank you, Mage Wilson.” I flash him a small smile as he rolls his eyes at my formal retort. Stepping out into the main flow of people, we follow the trail of nobles into the great hall. Two of the usual, long banquet tables are parallel to each other, but the others have been removed, leaving a large space in the centre of the room. Although the tables are set, no one has taken a seat, instead all mingling at the back of the hall in small groups. As I look around, my suspicions are confirmed when I see mostly young ladies chatting excitedly with their fathers.
A flash of auburn hair is all the warning I get before Aileen appears in front of us, her out of breath father following closely behind.
“Thank the Mother you’re here!” she announces loudly, and people around us turn to watch with distasteful frowns. “If I had to put up with any more babbling from those moronic ladies, I think I might resort to murder.” I struggle to hide my grin, but see that Wilson doesn’t bother, his delighted laugh echoing noisily around us. Aileen’s father lets out a long-suffering sigh before turning to face us with a polite smile.
“Mage Wilson, I am pleased to see you here tonight.” His accent is even thicker than Aileen’s, but he looks exactly like an older male version of her. They’re both wearing the same blue and green checked type fabric, Aileen’s like a sash across the bust of her deep green dress, and her father is wearing what looks a lot like a skirt. I make a note to ask Wilson about that later.
“Lord Bastian, it’s good to see you.” Turning from the man, Wilson addresses his daughter. “Lady Aileen,” he greets formally with a dip of his head, but I can see the grin playing on his lips. After a second of the two staring at each other, I clear my throat and he chuckles before looking back to Lord Bastian.