The grand ballroom of the Imperial Palace glowed under a sea of crystal chandeliers, each one catching the soft golden light and scattering it across polished marble like sun-kissed diamonds.
Musicians played from a raised platform near the far wall, filling the air with a flowing waltz.
The scent of wine, polished silver, and imported flowers hovered like perfume.
Luka stood near a massive arched window, a glass of something sparkling in his hand and Serene by his side.
She wore a midnight-blue gown that shimmered like starlight every time she moved, and more than a few nobles had taken notice.
Snow, the baby dragon, was mercifully absent tonight—Serene had bribed him with treats to nap in the garden.
"Do you even know half these people?" Serene murmured under her breath as she sipped from her flute.
"Not a single one," Luka replied, glancing over the crowd. "Too many titles, too many egos."
A noblewoman passed by and gave him an elegant nod. He returned it politely.
