After a frantic stop for Jane, they barely made it to the gala on time. As the car rolled to a stop, Sky turned to his brother.
"Just don't trip out again," Sky said, adjusting his white jacket. "Can't have you trying to kill me in my new suit."
Exalibar offered a tired smile. "Why bother, the embarrassment of you facing a crowd will kill you before I get the chance."
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm great with crowds!"
"Sure Sky," Exalibar said. "Suuuuuuuuuuuuure."
Stepping into the main hall was like walking onto a stage. All eyes turned to the twins, and for a moment, the room held its breath.
Exalibar was a pillar of dark command in a black military uniform style suit, a crimson sash and a cape like spilled wine completing the severe picture. His dark, polished skin made his shock of silver-white hair all the more arresting. His cyan eyes created mask of calm control, but tension was etched in the line of his defined jaw. Sky was his spectral opposite, a vision in pristine white slashed with the same bold red. He moved with an ethereal grace that belied a subtle tension. His hair was a matching shock of silver, but his face held the true distinction: one eye a vibrant ruby, the other a cool sky blue. The striking heterochromia gave him an otherworldly air, his expression one of sensitive intensity.
A guest whispered to another, "If they weren't with dates, they'd be quite the catch."
"Absolutely," her companion replied. "Though I hear the one in black is… unstable. Attacked his own brother." A heavy hand landed on their shoulders. James Maxford stood behind them, his smile polite but his eyes cold. "It's not nice to gossip about your host's son."
The first guest flushed. "Our apologies, Mr. Maxford. The rumours, you know…"
"Let's not ruin his mother's day," James said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He disappeared back into the crowd.
The event continued smoothly. There was a speech, a presentation for a new orphanage, and an appearance by the top heroes, Ronin and Valkyrie.
But for Exalibar, it was all noise. A distant hum. His body was there, but his mind was elsewhere.
The chandeliers blurred into the fluorescent lights of a shopping mall. Polite chatter became panicked screams. He saw a robber with glowing gauntlets. He saw Ronin, not as a hero on stage, but as a grim man drawing his sword.
I must be tripping again, Exalibar thought. At this rate I wonder if I will even make it to the end of the night.
He dug his nails into his palm. The sharp pain snapped him back. The mall vanished, replaced by the overwhelming brightness of the gala.
He blinked. Chloe's hand was tight on his arm. Her eyes, full of concern, were fixed on his.
"Exalibar? Look at me."
Without a word, she guided him through the crowd to a secluded section with a small bench.
"Sit," she said. He sank down leaving only a hollow exhaustion.
"Listen," Chloe said, her voice softer now. "Would it be easier to concentrate if Adele was the one singing?"
Exalibar rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I really don't like that we hired a random like whoever is singing."
"Really, Exalibar, what's wrong with you?" she pressed, her worry shifting to gentle frustration. "You zoned out when you picked me up and now again. It's like you are having a hard time staying in reality."
"Like I said," he deflected, forcing a smirk. "I was lost in those ocean eyes."
Chloe reached out and pinched his ear, hard. "Oceans aren't purple, Billie Eilish."
"Ow, ow, hey! That hurt!"
"Yes," Chloe said, still pulling, "and it will hurt more if you don't tell me what's bothering you." She released him with a sigh. "Okay, you know what? Fine. Don't tell me if you're not ready. But in the meantime, how about we enjoy the moment?" She stood up, adjusting her gown with a practiced flick of her wrists. "It's not every day that you go out with a girl this beautiful."
"Yeah, you're right," he conceded, standing with her. "By the way, have you seen my brother?"
On the other side of the hall, Sky was busy chatting up some people from the academy, leaving Jane sitting alone. A man dressed in all white approached and slid smoothly into Sky's vacant seat.
"So," the man said, his voice a silken purr. "Are you happily taken, or just taken?"
"Taken. Happily," Jane replied, her tone cool.
"Who is the lucky guy?"
"Sky Ma…"
"Sky Maxford? That loser?" The man scoffed. "Come on, baby girl. I highly doubt he has anything to offer you."
"Oh really? And you do?"
"Yes. Because he sees the uniform, the straight lines and the command, doesn't he? But I see you underneath all that sapphire and satin. That gown is magnificent, yes, but it's just silk on the outside. You wear it like a disguise a beautiful, shimmering shield to keep the whole room at bay."
"Go on," Jane said rodangerously.
"Look at them. They're admiring the masterpiece. But I'm seeing the mind behind those piercing eyes, the fire behind that impeccable grace. Why settle for a man who only appreciates the display, the perfect pose, the politics of the position? He'll put you on a pedestal and expect you to stay polished."
"Okay, listen here, um…"
"Sean."
"Yes, thank you, Sean. You seem like a really nice guy, but like I said, I am taken. And quite happily at that."
"I see that, baby girl. But unlike your boy Sky, I see the true strength in you. The kind that doesn't need to wear a uniform to command respect. You've got the beauty of a queen, yes, the kind that stops the music, but you've also got the mind of a general. That power, that sharpness I see beneath the smile... that's what he misses. And that's what I want. Take a step out of the shadows and let me show you a world where you don't have to be perfect; you only have to be mine."
A hand landed heavily on Sean's shoulder. "Listen, Shakespeare," Sky said, his voice dangerously calm. "I think the lady said she was taken. Now, I would appreciate it if you took the hint and uhh… fucked off."
Sean stood up, looking Sky up and down with a dismissive scoff. "It's okay, Mr. Maxford." He turned his gaze back to Jane. "If you ever reconsider what I said…" He snapped his fingers, and a business card materialized between them. "Give me a call." He turned and left, the card fluttering to the table.
Exalibar and Chloe, having witnessed the entire scene, finally approached.
"What was that all about?" Exalibar asked.
"It's nothing, brother," Sky said, his jaw tight. "Can we head out now? I need some air."
"I told you," Exalibar said, a smirk playing on his lips. "You aren't good with crowds. They always try to take your date. Couldn't be me, though." Chloe rolled her eyes beside him.
"I wasn't going to be taken, Exalibar," Jane said firmly. "You should know by now how I feel for your brother…"
"It's okay, babe. There's no need. Let's just leave."
Before they could exit, they ran into the boys' parents.
"Leaving so early?" James asked.
"Yeah," Exalibar covered smoothly. "Chloe has a curfew, and I don't want her dad hounding me like last time."
"It's okay, dear," Diana said, her smile warm. "Just get home safely, okay?"
"Absolutely," Sky replied.
Outside, the night air was a relief.
"Your mom is so sweet," Jane commented.
"Yep, definitely mother-in-law material, don't you thi" Chloe began, but her words were cut short.
A fireball hurled towards them from the shadows. It was instantly vaporized by a shimmering energy shield Sky conjured before his hand had even fully risen.
Exalibar let out a dry chuckle. "Every single time, ey brother?"
"Every damn time," Sky grumbled, his eyes scanning the darkness. He raised his voice to a shout. "I GUESS YOUR EGO WAS MORE BRUISED THAN WE THOUGHT, SEAN!"