Star glared daggers into the side of Marquise Rebecca Wintour’s head. She wasn’t entirely sure how she ended up in this position, but she blamed it entirely on that scheming woman. Though she couldn’t be too mad, she had to admit not everything was awful. She was feeling very pretty dressed up like this. With her wig styled into an elegant updo and the gorgeous green ball gown that fits her perfectly on. The makeup she’d put on was just enough to cover up the markings on her cheeks and give her a glam look.

  She still glared at Rebecca on principle. She’d talked her into this ball using underhanded tactics. Like bribery. Curse her terrible impulse control. As it turned out the ball had been in three days. In those three days both Star and Salem were beaten within an inch of their lives on proper manners and etiquette for this ball. This alone should have been the push she needed to back out of going. Yet somehow, somehow Star still found herself here, in a crowded carriage with the Marquise, Zane, and Salem. Opal had to be left at home, something about pets not being allowed in the palace. Which was bullshit because she knew Prince Mason let Duckie sleep in his bed.

  Though Star had to admit she was probably happier lounging around chewing on a bone or whatever wyvern’s pretending to be dogs did than attending a ball.

  That didn’t change the fact Star was squished up against the carriage door holding Salem’s and hers offering in her lap. Salem sat beside her in a deep purple dress, hair done up, and makeup looking on point. Her hands were folded in her lap as she looked out the window. Across from Salem was the Marquise and beside her Zane. Both dressed to the nines, their own offering sitting in the Marquise’s lap.

  Outside the sunlight was already fading fast, turning to dusk as they approached the castle through the same entrance as the rest of the nobles. They passed the towering gates after being briefly stopped by the guards to check credentials, letting them go once they’d verified the invitations. A few minutes later the carriage came to a slow stop just outside the main entrance. Taking her queues from the Marquise Star waited until the door was opened by the footman.

  Marquise Rebecca and Zane were let out first, because of proper etiquette or whatever. Salem stepped out next, followed by Star, the staff they made in hand. As she stepped out the carriage carrying the rest of Zane’s family pulled to a stop behind them, Marquise Lyndon Wintour and the rest of Zane’s siblings exiting in an orderly fashion, quickly joining them at the steps leading into the castle. Together the entire group walked into the castle, a servant guiding them straight to the ball room.

  Star took the time to observe the interior to the castle. The entire place was grand. They passed towering, intricately carved columns, their shoes clicked on solid marble floors, and the entry to the ballroom were to massive wood doors decorated with a detailed motif. Before they could enter, they were stopped by an announcer, Marquise Rebecca whispered what Star presumed to be her name and title to him as their group formed a line, Star and Salem in the back.

  Each of the Marquises family were announced smoothly as they entered the ballroom proper. Star stepped up.

  “Name and title?” The announcer asked.

  “Star, master alchemist.” Star recited instinctively. Oh no, she’d been conditioned.

  “Last name?” He glared at her.

  Star stared back blankly.

  After a look stretch of silence the man seemed to decide he wasn’t paid enough for this. “Master alchemist, Star!” He announced allowing her entry.

  Star made her way to Zane quickly hearing Salem get announced as “Master mage, Salem!” before she joined them.

  “What now?” Star asked.

  “Now we wait, mingle, drink some champaign. It’ll be another half hour minimum before the royal families arrive.” Zane explained. “The actual ceremony and dancing will come after they arrive.”

  “What do I do with this?” Star raised the staff.

  “You place it over there,” He gestured to a table that was quickly piling up with offerings, “Say a prayer and that’s it really, until the ceremony that is.”

  Star felt ceremony was a bit of a lose term in this context. How it’d been described to her was that a priest or priestess would come and give a fancy speech, say a prayer, and bless the offerings while everyone else watched in reverence or boredom. Like church now that she thought about it.

  Honestly it felt like the whole thing was a ploy by the royal families to get free stuff, but who was she to say.

  “Come on then Star.” Salem dragged her along to the offerings table.

  Stolen story; please report.

  Star placed the staff they’d made together carefully next to the other offerings, then clasped her hands together the same as Salem. It’d been a very, very long time since she’d prayed to anyone about anything. So, she just pretended, standing silently for an uncomfortably long time.

  Shortly thereafter Star found herself sipping a glass of champaign, bored out of her mind. Why’d they have to come so early? There wasn’t even any music playing. Instead, she had to listen to noble’s gossip. Which was admittedly at least a little entertaining. Still the worst house party she’d attended. At least the last one she went to had an alligator.

  The voice of the announcer cut through her reminiscing, booming as he announced the arrival of the royal families. There were four families in attendance this year, and they were the royal families of, and she wasn’t making this up, Spaida, Brusha, Timberantica, and Fishica. Who came up with those names?

  Star silently judged the naming conventions of this world as the royals walked down the long staircase with an unfair amount of class. They also came in a different way than she had, from within the castle. Star couldn’t help but wonder how long they’d made her wait when they could have started the ball anytime apparently.

  Her questions would remain unanswered. Slowly each royal family walked to the offering table placing down their offering and saying a prayer over it, dipping their heads in reverence. Overall, it was a very boring display. When she finally thought it was over with, she got gut punched by a priestess approaching the table and beginning a long-winded speech. This was the church part of the evening.

  Star felt herself die a little.

  After a soul suckingly long amount of time the priestess stepped down and music began to play filling the room, signaling the end of church and the beginning of the fun part of the evening.

  “Oh, thank fuck.” Salem whispered beneath her breath stealing the words right out of Star’s mouth.

  Star tipped her head back downing the last of her champaign. “Come on let’s dance!” She grabbed Salem’s hand, dragging her out onto the dance floor, falling into step with the rhythm of the classical song.

  Salem laughed as they fell into a basterized version of the waltz spinning around the other couples in a dizzying display. They danced from one side of the room to the other, joking and laughing as once song ended and new started. Star spun Salem into a dip as another song reached its crescendo, both of them breathing heavily, having been dancing nonstop for the past four or five songs. With a cheeky grin, Star pulled Salem back to her feet as the last notes of the song faded. Salem smiled, shaking her head. She took Star’s hand and led her off the dance floor. A new song starting up as they left the floor.

  “Not going to dance to another song?” Star teased.

  “Maybe later.” Salem replied, looking for a place to sit.

  She snagged two drinks from a nearby server as they beelined to two chairs off to the side, sitting down in the plush seats. She handed one glass to Star, who gave a nod of thanks. As Star took a sip of the champaign, she watched the people still dancing.

  “Is Zane dancing with Prince Mason over there?” Salem pointed out.

  Star looked where she was gesturing. Zane and the prince were dancing together. Zane had his hands on the prince’s shoulders while the prince had his hand on Zanes waist. Together they moved to the rhythm of the song swaying slowly. From where she sat Star could see Prince Mason whisper something into Zane’s ear. She could also see Zane’s ears flush red in response.

  “They’ve got to be dating,” Star commented as she took a sip.

  “If not they are pinning hard.”

  Star nodded as she watched as the two danced to the far side of the floor and as the song drawled to a close she saw Zane lean up, peaking the prince’s lips lightly. The prince seemed to freeze as Zane said something before turning and running off out of the ballroom through a side door.

  “Think that was their first kiss?” Salem commented.

  “Maybe they’re just in the closet.” Star shrugged.

  “Why would they kiss in a room full of people then?” Salem shook her head, “They’re both pinning idiots.”

  While they talked the prince had already hurried off after Zane disappearing the same direction as he had.

  “Think their going to be okay?” Star frowned.

  “They’ll be fine, best not interfere with their love life.” Salem downed the last of her drink. “When is it socially acceptable to leave?”

  “I thought you were going to dance with me more.” Star joked, beginning to bring her drink up to take a sip but paused, frowning, “Do you hear that?” She turned to look at the main doors where the faint sound of clicking armor and panicked voices seemed to be coming from.

  Salem turned her attention to the doors as well as she got to her feet. A few other party guests seemed to take notice as well. From where Star stood, she could see a few people pause, looking at the doors. Standing up herself she downed the last of the champaign, listening closely.

  The noise came closer, and more and more people took notice. Then the doors flew open with a bang, startling the guests as knights flooded in. The music came to an abrupt halt as everyone turned their attention to the knights. A knight in particularly fancy armor stepped forwards, the medals on his uniform signaling some kind of authority.

  “We are under attack; a large flying monster has passed the outer gates and is rapidly approaching the palace.” The knight’s voice boomed, echoing through the now silent room, “Follow us to the catacombs.” The knight commanded, obviously intending that to be an order not a suggestion.

  As the knight, probably the commander of the knights, spoke the other knights had already surrounded the room, gathering people up. As Star and Salem were herded into the pack Star noticed several knights from the other kingdoms in attendance break off, heading towards the royal families.

  The room quickly became deafening as nobles shouted demanding answers about the monster as they were guided or forced towards the main doors. From outside Star could hear the sound of something big roaring in anger. She turned, catching a brief glance of something in the sky before she was shoved by a frantic noble boy. Salem wrapped an arm around her waist keeping her up as they were pushed and shoved to the outer edges of the panicking nobles.

  “There!” Star shouted to Salem as she pointed to the windows where a creature could be seen landing in the courtyard just outside.