Page 78 of The Last Guardian

Seth didn’t move; his fists curled at his side as he glared at the commander, who ignored him entirely. Zaidkiel focused all his attention on me, his deep green eyes piercing mine.

“We’ll leave tomorrow, first light,” Zaidkiel said gently. I opened my mouth, ready to ask more about this Kraktos and the Guardians, but before I could, Zaidkiel curled his fingers around my wrist. “Go and enjoy your night. I will explain more tomorrow.”

I searched his eyes for a moment, debating whether to demand answers or not. The restraint in his shoulders as he glared at Seth made me swallow my questions. I nodded. Zaidkiel’s jaw clenched, and his fingers tightened slightly on my skin before releasing it.

I turned my back and exited the tent, when a voice shouted from one of the pathways.

“Alyana!” Nefeli ran, her ponytails swaying in the air as she waved for me to wait.

“The emperor—” Seth said in haste from inside the tent as Nefeli finally reached me.

“Sorry,” Nefeli said, clutching her sides, panting. “I wanted to join you this morning to train with you and Dax, but I think I drank too much last night.” She chuckled, touching her temples, as her eyes shone in a softer blue in the moonlight.

“Hard night, huh?” A soft smile drew my lips.

Nefeli’s cheeks blushed, her skin taking a soft, rosy hue. “Well…” Nefeli arched a brow and winked at me. “Something was.”

“Ah.” I grinned, biting my lip to hold back a laugh at her light mood. “Good for you.”

Nefeli linked her arm with mine, pulling me with her towards a passage that led us to the dock. “Come with me! We need to change. I want to show you something.”

“Why?” I asked, curiosity gnawing at me. “Where are we going?”

Nefeli leaned slightly as we walked toward the ship, her smile widening into a grin. “We are going to dance!”

WIDE FLAMES PIERCED the darkness, soaring to touch the glittering stars. Threads of silver danced in the blackness, reflecting on the sea in an explosion of hundreds of diamonds.

The waves broke into a white blanket on the cold sand, mingling with the sound of drums and fiddles. Nefeli strode onto the beach, her white dress tightened by a black corset, the laces hugging her breasts.

I followed her. The burgundy skirt she let me borrow tangled with the wind, revealing one of my legs through the slit. The black lace-up belt held the white shirt that fell delicately from my shoulders.

A folkish melody pounded around us; men, women, and children danced in rhythm, whirling and clapping around the large fire.

“Firelight,” Nefeli yelled through the wind, her voice fading with the music. “It’s customary to celebrate the moment the sun melts into the sea to welcome the moon.” Her sapphire eyes shone as brightly as any stars as she added, “Nur’marjah.”

I gazed at her, my hair dancing in the wind. “What does it mean?”

“The dying light,” Nefeli expressed, a soft smile curled on her lips. “An old tradition the Noxari and the Surani celebrate every night—through feasts, dances, or just prayers. A way to celebrate the cycle of the sun and moon.”

My eyes drifted, observing the dance, joyful faces laughing around the fire. Women moved in a circle, their carved crescent moons lit by the moonlight. “Noxari lived here, too?”

Nefeli nodded, leading me to a table where soldiers had gathered. “And Evarim too. They are free to live in all the lands belonging to the Empire.”

As we reached the table, familiar faces turned to greet us, each of them still in their leather clothes. Dax’s broad smile lightened up his face. “The queen of the party has finally arrived.”

Nefeli grinned, waving her hand in a graceful movement, bowing at her waist. “Gentlemen.”

Zaidkiel snorted, eyeing his sister with annoyance, before his eyes drifted to mine, drinking in my attire.

“Cap,” said two voices in unison—Bennett and Sam. The latter added, “Your presence sparkles brighter than any star.”

Nefeli snorted, rolling her eyes at the two soldiers. “Shameless flirt.” A soft pink flushed her cheeks.

I smiled, gazing down at the ground to hide my amusement before drifting my attention to the people dancing. The thrums beckoned through my veins, an infectious, irresistible call to join the dance and surrender to the music.

“May I get you anything to drink, ladies?” said another voice I recognized.

The man who had wanted to talk with Zaidkiel earlier stepped in, curling his arms around Nefeli’s shoulders, kissing her cheek in the process.