A Gathering of Souls by Dianne Keep

Author:Dianne Keep [Keep, Dianne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-26T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Bree’s breath caught as she stepped into the dining hall. Silver and gold ribbons glittered from ceiling to floor. Some of the trimmings transformed into different shapes and some swirled through the air, teasing the guests.

Her own alhor flickered out and changed the colors of the nearest streamers to black and gray. Stop that. But her alhor continued on its way, zigzagging through the crowds, causing a few dresses to twirl.

The courtiers did their best to ignore her fluctuating alhor as Keir Ryne led her around four sets of tables arranged in the center of the hall. The flowers on the tables spilled onto the floor forming tiny gardens complete with miniature animal statues. Chandeliers cast a soft yellow sheen on the gold plates and goblets.

“It looks like spring,” said Bree.

“A rebirth,” said Ryne.

Bree searched for Ehre amid the throng but only a few Seyh strolled through the crowd. Keir Ryne seemed to know she sought someone and skirted the main table. Music fluttered to her ears. Nothing she’d heard before, but beautiful all the same. Her feet shuffled with the melody. Keir Ryne patted her arm and gave her a small smile. The charm’s heat hadn’t let up since he took her arm in the tower and he looked worse for it. Bree wished he’d release her so they both could enjoy the party, but he didn’t.

All the flashes of purple Bree spotted turned out to be normal people wearing an abundance of shimmering fabric. She found Nathan, the Seyh with the blue alhor, near the doors to the courtyard, and Rhion, the red Seyh, who liked to glare.

Rishi Fara stood with Bayan and Khrisk across the room. Bree tried steering Ryne in the other direction to inspect a passing streak of purple, but he held firm and turned them toward the royal family.

“Your Honor is waving frantically.” Keir Ryne tapped her hand gently. “You don’t mean to ignore him? Imagine what people would say.”

“I hadn’t noticed.” She didn’t care what people thought about her right now. Where was Ehre hiding?

As they approached, a tall young woman with raven black hair laced her arm through Khrisk’s. “Is that Karra Elissa?” Her silver gown complimented her slim figure. Bree pursed her lips.

“It is.” Ryne squeezed her arm next to his ribs. “She’s a treasure. We’re so happy to have her become part of the family.”

Bree couldn’t stop her eyes from rolling. “She is very pretty.”

“And see how Khrisk smiles at her. I chose well.”

Bree wanted to vomit.

Zeir Bayan met them halfway in an outfit that matched her green dress. “I couldn’t wait another second.” He took her arm, giving her sweet relief from the charm’s hot web of energy. “You are a vision.” He looked her up and down, eyes narrowing. “Where are the bracelets I sent?”

“Your mother sent these.” She showed him the necklace and bracelet. “I wore the earrings.” Seeing his frown deepen, she said, “I didn’t want to disappoint her.”

“Well, I wouldn’t want her feelings hurt either and you will always wear one thing of mine.

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