The Aldean Chronicles: Spotlight (Part 2)

It's a good thing Cara called a break cause I have a function coming up soon.

It's time for Secretary Davis' annual dinner party. And I've somehow scored another invitation.

"It's gonna be smaller this year." Arin is saying. "Because of the restrictions and all."

"And also because half of the politicians hate his bill?"

Arin laughs. "I like that you think it's only half."

I smile. "At least you'll be there."

He nods. "I'll be representing the Hames."

"Your parents aren't coming?"

"They're trying to distance themselves from my grandfather's politics. Dolma state is very traditional. Why do you think we tolerate Tarwick castle?"

"Seb and Aunt Freya won't be there either." I think for a minute. "Who will be there?"

"People who believe in my grandfather's ideals." Arin plucks grass from the field. "And the rebel Princess who wants to go against her family's political values."

I nod. "Count me in. I need something to piss off aunt Freya."

He laughs. "You can ride with me to his house."

"There's no way I'll get a pass from Lilian. I'll probably have to hide in your trunk."

"Your aunt will definitely throw me in prison for that."

We both laugh heartily.

Two passing students give us weird looks.

"You know we're gonna be trending in about five minutes?" Arin asks.

"I don't have the app. I wouldn't know." I shrug.

He laughs again. "Forgive me for saying this, but you're different than you were last year. Not in a bad way. It's just...you're kind of badass now."

I prop myself up with my elbows. "What are you talking about?"

"You're swearing more. Dressing more casually. Not caring what other people are saying about you. Actively pissing off your family." That makes me laugh. "And spending all your afternoons researching a professor's history paper."

I shake my head. "I didn't notice."

"It's really hot."

"What the..." I pluck more grass and throw it at him.

"Speaking of research, how's that coming along?"

I shake my head. "We're at a dead end. I think we should give up, she wants us to power through and wait for an epiphany."

"Encouraging."

"Yeah."

He stares at the main class building. We're sitting in the little field in front, not too far from the fountain.

"Did something happen to you lately?" He asks. "Like apart from Tristan. It's just, you've been different since the pledge." He stares at the sky. "You're very mercurial, do you know that?"

I smile. "Others would use different words to describe me." He says nothing. "And maybe I have been different." I look back over the seven months since I took the pledge.

During that time, I met Grey's true personality, I realized my family doesn't give a shit about me, my friends have kind of always hated me, my ex-boyfriend is a giant dick, Ryppers have a personal beef with me, my magic isn't dependable, everyone I love can get hurt because of me, the consequences of my actions don't really matter... It's been a heavy seven months.

"Maybe." He shrugs. "Or maybe you're the same person and you're just battling through your emotions in a different way."

I breathe in the unusually warm January air. "That's one theory."

An alarm goes off on my phone. "I have to get to class."

He glances at his phone. "Me too."

We both stand up. "What time are you leaving tomorrow?"

"The dinner's early this time. 4 pm."

"So three maybe?"

"Whenever we're both done with school."

He leaves me on the grass and heads to his class.

***

"Ah, you really are a sight for sore eyes." Mr. Whitehall smiles when he sees me.

I'm not surprised he supports Secretary Davis. "Mr. and Mrs. Whitehall, always a pleasure." And I mean that.

Mrs. Whitehall offers a sympathetic smile. "I heard about you and Tristan Oisin."

Wow. My romantic pitfalls have reached the house. "It's for the best."

"Do take care, princess." They leave to chat with another guest.

"And there she is. My most distinguished guest." Secretary Davis shakes my hand. "I'm really happy you're here."

"Yes. And all you have to do in return is take lots of pictures. I want to be on every newspaper and magazine cover in the country tomorrow morning."

His smile widens. "There it is. Dare to be different. No one ever remembers people who conform. It's the greatest honour to be remembered well in history, isn't it?"

I ponder that silently.

"Ah, a photographer." Secretary Davis announces. "First picture of the night?"

I respond by standing next to him. The photographer takes a few snaps. "Okay, then. How about one with that crown of yours? Remind everyone you're still a Harrington." Secretary Davis coaxes.

I roll my eyes but do as he says. I make the crown appear on my head and smile for more pictures.

Suddenly, it hits me.

"That was perfect." The photographer moves away.

Secretary Davis studies me. "Are you alright?"

My heart swells with pride and my brain works to put the pieces together. "Yes, yes I am. I just had an epiphany."

He smiles. "Good for you. Excuse me, will you?"

I wish Cara was here. I can't wait to tell her the good news. I had it. I actually had that euphoric epiphany she was ranting about.

I know where I've seen Delia's name before.

To confirm my suspicions, I call Seb.

I'm surprised he picks up.

"Cassandra," he yells when I pick up. "I've been calling you all night. The only thing stopping me from sending guards to pick you up is the scandal it will create."

"Seb..."

"Not only did you attend this party against our strict disapproval, you snuck out of school to do it. Do you have any idea how furious I am?"

"I don't know, very?" I guess.

He groans. "We will be having a long discussion about this."

"Sure, no problem. I need a favour. Where are you right now?"

"I'm at Sandringham with your aunt."

I struggle to contain my smile. "That is perfect. Do you remember the big book I read during the pledge? I need a page from it."

"What part of you're in serious trouble are you not getting?" He sounds frustrated.

"Yes, I know. But this is an emergency. Please, Seb. I really need your help."

His elongated sigh is all I hear for a while. "Fine. What page do you want?"

I squeal. "Thank you so much, Seb. I need the page with my crown."

"Your tiara?" He asks. "Fine, give me some time. But we will be having a discussion about your behavior very soon."

"Of course, Seb. You're the best." I end the call.

"You look chirpy."

I turn back and find Arin Hames staring at me.

For this party, he's dressed down from his usual dinner attire. He's in a white button-down and brown khaki with a black coat. His dark hair is tousled and his eyes seem lighter. He smiles and his cheekbones are higher than they've ever been.

"I had my epiphany."

"Did you?"

"Yes, now I'm just waiting for confirmation."

He shakes his head and smiles. "Come on, I want to show you something."

He leads me away from the hall and down several corridors.

"Are you taking me away to murder me?" I ask. "Because if you do, you will be caught."

He doesn't say anything. He keeps walking, and I keep following him.

We eventually reach a set of large doors.

"What is this, a library?"

He opens the door and I am blown away.

It's a greenhouse. The walls are all made of glass and every inch of the room is covered with plants. The ceilings are two floors high and also made of glass.

"What is this place?"

"This..." He gestures to the room. "Is where I got the inspiration for my ultimate victory." He grins. "My plant project."

"What did you do? Blast rock music for weeks on end." I feign disapproval. "Did you murder these innocent plants for nothing?"

He rolls his eyes. "Funny."

I give the room another look. "Why does your granddad even have this room?"

"It was grandmother's. She was a Botanist."

"Did you meet her?"

He shakes his head. "Gone a few years before I was born."

"Sorry you never got to meet her. I'm surprised your grandfather kept all this long after she died."

"He doesn't tend to it himself. An old colleague of hers does." He looks at the ceiling. "He likes to sit here though. I think this room makes him feel close to her."

A warm smile spreads across my face. "That's really sweet."

I get a notification on my phone. It's two texts from Seb. One reminding me of our serious discussion in the near future. The other is a picture of a page from the book.

"And there you are."

"What is that?" He walks closer to me. "A tiara?"

"It's mine. It picked me that day in the cave." I zoom in on a part of the page. "And right there? In its previous owners list."

He smiles as well. "Delia Beltane."

"She was the first person to wear it. Hundreds of years ago."

"And you're the fourth person to own it?" He whistles. "Wow. You're like a Harrington plus." He teases. "Next thing, you'll have blue fire."

I think back to my encounter on Christmas. Maybe that wasn't a hallucination.

The uncertainty of my powers since the pledge scares me.

"I don't think I want to be Harrington plus. It's hard being different."

He shakes his head. "Haven't you been listening to my grandfather? People who conform rarely make history." Before I can react, he takes my hand and pulls me out of the greenhouse. "Come on, we should get back to the party."