MIREYA POV
The hall was brighter than I expected, filled with warm golden light that bounced off polished tables and crystal glasses. Candles flickered, casting dancing shadows across faces I barely recognized.
The Gifted were everywhere… men and women with confident strides, sharp eyes, and the air of people who knew they ruled this world. Every glance felt like it could cut, every smile a challenge.
I stepped carefully, trying to make my movements smooth, measured. Greta stayed just behind me, silent as a shadow. I felt her presence like an anchor, but it did little to calm the swirl of fear in my chest.
Lord Malric was at the head of the table, as commanding as ever, his gaze sweeping the room like a predator marking his territory. I froze for a heartbeat when our eyes met, but he only gave me a small nod, almost imperceptible, before returning his attention to the other guests.
I took another careful step, letting the training kick in. Words, gestures, posture…. all of it had to be flawless. Every response I had memorized had to sound natural. Every smile had to feel practiced, but not forced.
I felt like I was wearing someone else's skin, pretending to be someone I wasn't.
And maybe… maybe that's exactly what Lord Malric wanted.
The first few conversations were formal, polite, filled with questions I answered carefully. I felt their eyes on me constantly, measuring me, testing me. Some of the questions were easy, others made me sweat. But I remembered every lesson, every instruction.
I couldn't slip.
And then, from across the hall, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye… a subtle shift in someone's posture, a flicker of interest in a face I didn't recognize. Something about them made me pause, my chest tightening.
But I forced my attention back to the conversation in front of me. Focus. Smile. Respond. Survive.
Because here, among the Gifted, one small mistake… could be the last.
People began approaching me, voices warm and curious.
"Faye! It's a miracle that you're standing," one woman said, smiling.
"I'm glad you're feeling better, we thought you would never survive" another added.
I nodded and returned smiles, my jaw aching from holding them for so long. Every grin felt like it was carved into place, stiff and painful, but I had to keep them up. I couldn't let anyone see hesitation, fear, or weakness.
All the while, I could feel him. Lord Malric's eyes.
They were on me, sharp and steady, watching every movement I made. Every tilt of my head, every blink, every forced smile.
I swallowed hard, trying not to let my nerves show. His gaze was heavy, almost suffocating. I wanted to look away, to hide, but I couldn't. Not here. Not in front of all these people.
I forced another smile, even though it hurt, and straightened my back.
He didn't speak, didn't move… but I knew he was judging, measuring, deciding if I was good enough.
And that thought made my stomach twist.
Every word, every gesture, every smile.. it had to be perfect.
Because one mistake… and I wouldn't just disappoint him. I'd fail myself.
I moved through the crowd, nodding, smiling, shaking hands. Every greeting felt like a performance. My jaw throbbed, my arms ached from holding myself so stiff, but I couldn't let anyone see. Not a single flicker of weakness.
"Faye, come sit with me darling," one of the older Gifted said, guiding me toward the table. "You've been through so much, let me take a good look at you."
I nodded, my fingers tightening around the edge of my chair before I lowered myself onto the polished wood. The surface felt cold against my skin, but I forced myself to relax. Sort of.
All the while, I felt him. Lord Malric. His eyes never left me. It was like a weight pressing into my back, reminding me that nothing here was easy, nothing was safe.
I sipped from the glass of water in front of me, careful not to spill, careful not to breathe too loudly. Conversations swirled around me… names, alliances, jokes… but I had to focus. Every word, every laugh, every polite nod had to be perfect.
A tray of food was brought forward, and I tried to look appreciative without letting my hunger show. I had barely eaten all day, not that it mattered. Showing need or weakness here would be dangerous.
Every so often, I caught a flicker of movement from across the hall, someone watching me, testing me. I kept my eyes forward, my back straight, my hands folded neatly. Smile. Nod. Respond. Survive.
Because this dinner wasn't just about food or conversation. It was a test.
And one wrong move could ruin everything.
The conversations grew more intense as the dinner went on. Questions came from every side… some polite, some sharp, all testing me.
"Faye, how does it feel to be finally back Aureclaire? It's been six years since you left." one of the older Gifted asked, eyes sharp.
I forced a smile, keeping my voice steady. "It has… been amazing so far. So much has changed.. father has been helping keep up with my lessons."
"Do you enjoy the lessons Lord Malric provides?" another voice cut in, a slight edge to it.
I nodded carefully. "Yes, very much. I am grateful for the guidance… and I wouldn't have asked for a better teacher than father.."
Every answer had been rehearsed in my head. Every tone, every pause, every glance calculated. I couldn't let a single hesitation slip. Not here. Not in front of these people.
They leaned in, curiosity flicking in their eyes, watching me like a hawk. I swallowed hard and met each gaze evenly, keeping my smile soft but confident.
"Tell us, Faye," a sharp voice said, "how do you plan to face the Trials at Iron Spire? Surely it must be… overwhelming?"
I nodded slowly, steadying my hands on the table. "It is a challenge, yes. But I have prepared myself as best I can. Every lesson, every practice… it has been for that purpose. I will face the Trials with everything I have. I'm definitely going to make father proud"
A few murmurs of approval rippled through the room. I felt a faint thrill at that, but it was quickly swallowed by tension. Every glance from the other Gifted reminded me how thin my line was… one misstep, one poorly chosen word, and it could all be over.
I took a deep breath, letting my practiced confidence hide the storm inside me.
Every question they asked… I answered exactly as I had practiced.
Every move, every word, every nod… perfect.
But inside, I was still counting the minutes, waiting for the moment I could slip away, even if just for a second, and remember that I was still me.
Even if only a little.