Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Thirty: Radiant

"Welcome to another beautiful night, here in Ûru'Baen!" Galbatorix boomed. "I thank you for gathering for this momentous occasion. I am sure many of you have wondered why I have decided to celebrate at such a time, but I can assure you, our Empire had only grown stronger by the recent event!"

The room thundered with applause as Yilba and Tolme exchanged looks, both wondering what had made their King put on such a display at a time when he was most angered. The lights returned to normal, and the chatter resumed.

"What could possibly put our King in such a gracious mood?"

"Perhaps he killed the rogue Dragon Rider?" Tolme supplied. Yilba shot Tolme a look.

"Don't be stupid, he can't kill the rouge Dragon Rider. The Dragon is a female." Tolme bit her lip, stopping her from snarling back a few words. Why she was even friends with Yilba was still a mystery.

She was cruel, unkind, and never thought about anyone else save herself. To protect her eyes from such unpleasantness, Tolme decided to look around the grand room. Her father was still looking for a suitable husband. Maybe if she made good connections with a few of the Lord's sons, she would find one.

Claw like fingernails dug into Tolme's arm, causing her to let out a faint squeak. Tolme's eyes went to her and saw that Yilba's grip had turned vice-like.

"Yilba, you are hurting me." Tolme whispered, trying not to sound weak or in pain. Yilba made no notion of hearing her, for her eyes were locked on something near the throne. "Yilba!"

"Quiet!" Yilba hissed, her nails digging even deeper. Tolme's eyes went to Yilba's face, and she instantly knew why Yilba was acting so. Her eyes were set on a prize. Tolme followed Yilba's gaze until she too, was enraptured.

Standing at the base of the dais on which the throne sat, was a young man. He had brown hair that was brushed, so it sat behind his ears and grey eyes that would pull any woman who looked into them in.

Unlike the rest of the men in the room who wore colorful arrays of tunics and gemstones, this man wore black and oozed darkness and power. Tall black boots covered long black pants trimmed in red. His tunic, while seemingly dull, was trimmed in the same red as his pants and shimmered with luxury but what caught Tolme's eyes was the blood-red sword strapped to his waist. Only one man in Ûru'Baen had a sword that color.

Yilba would be on him like a pack of starving dogs to an injured cat. Tolme stole another glance at Yilba, had she heard the woman whisper something? Or was it just her imagination? Tolme followed Yilba as she started to make her way over to the brooding man.

"Yilba, he looks like the does not want to be disturbed." Tolme murmured.

"Nonsense, men are all the same, and that includes Dragon Riders," Yilba replied, dismissing Tolme's words. Tolme bit her lip and said no more. Yilba, finally in sights of the Dragon Rider, straightened her posture and tugged at her neckline. "If there is one thing that you can rely on, Tolme, it's that men only want one thing."

With those words, Yilba strode up to the man and batted her eyelashes.

"Excuse me," Yilba said, dropping her voice into a husky tone. Grey eyes turned towards Yilba and Tolme. Tolme wanted to shrink back. He definitely did not want to be talked to. "My father has left to talk to some lords, and I am finding myself lonesome."

"I fail to see how that affects me," Tolme had to bite back a laugh at his short, cold words. Yilba reared back from the unexpected words.

"I was hoping," Yilba continued, pressing me great bustle up against his arm. "that you'd be kind enough to wait with me until he gets back."

Tolme watched as the dark, stormy grey eyes focused on Yilba. She knew that the Rider was well aware of what Yilba wanted, but was impressed by the way he handled it. Very few men were able to resist Yilba's charm and assets.

A hush fell through the ballroom, drawing the Rider's attention away from Yilba. Tolme's personal attention turned towards the main entrance to the ballroom. A she-elf stood at the entrance, drawing all eyes.

The she-elf stood tall with pitch-black hair pulled back, and a crown of silver dusted with sparkling white gemstones. Around a porcelain neck wrapped a sapphire necklace that shined with every movement. Her dress was simple, so simple it outshined every other in the room, made only of a shimmering blue fabric that fell softly on her body and arms.

To top it all off, sparkling slanted blue eyes outlined in kohl accompanied by the most in-depth pink lip paint that any of the guests ever had the luxury of setting eyes on. Tolme watched as the attention Yilba had been seeking from the Rider, emerged, only to be placed on the stunningly beautiful she-elf that had just entered the ballroom.

To those that recognized the she-elf, they all sucked in a deep breath. Even the breath from their King Galbatorix, was stolen. Their queen, the one they held above all others, had finally returned.

It was Wënyalín.