Days passed and the day of the Light Festival arrived all too soon. Tristan wore a white t-shirt under a new jacket he’d bought with his winnings. Jayce wore his usual pair of short shorts with a blue waistcoat and a bowtie. It was a strange sight but somehow the mohawked youth managed to pull it off.

The Masters had done up the Great hall with giant chandeliers and crystal balls that reflected light in all directions. A red carpet led out of the Great Hall and into the courtyard like a massive lapping tongue and students walked up the carpet in matching pairs with men and women dressed like they were entering a beauty contest.

Master Wraithen stood outside the front door greeting the guests as they arrived.

“No date?” asked Master Wraithen as Tristan stepped into the courtyard.

“Nope,” said Tristan. “What about you?”

“I'm chaperoning the dance,” said the Master.

“What does that mean?”

“It means I drew the short straw and now I have to stand around, with a bunch of concupiscent teenagers when I could be in my room reading a book.”

“I don't even know what you just said. But I never took you for a reader?”

Master Wraithen glared at him. “Do you really have nothing better to do right now?”

Tristan laughed. “What did you think of our fight?” he asked. Tristan was proud of his squads performance but he wanted to hear it from the Wraithen. Over the last few months Wraithen had become more than an instructor to Tristan, the man had become a mentor and a friend.

The Master laid his good arm on Tristan’s shoulder. “Every fight you win is a good fight,” he said.

Tristan nodded. “Yes but what did you think of our strategy?”

“You rushed the fight,” said the Master. “You were reckless and you put your teammates in danger.”

“But—,” began Tristan.

“No Tristan. You were lucky that Luna and Jayce only sustained minor injuries, it could have been much worse. If this was a real fight Cora would have slit your throat and even you wouldn't be able to recover from that.”

“But we did heal,” said Tristan.

“Your greatest weakness is your quick healing,” said the Master. “It causes you to rush in when you should be cautious, to attack when you should retreat. It makes you reckless and also as you rely on that you will never be a great swordsman.”

“I wish I hadn't asked,” said Tristan as he walked away. He knew it was true. He did rely too heavily on his regeneration or on Luna healing him if he got badly injured. Since coming to Umbra Tristan had thought of himself as being immortal. The idea of dying hadn't even occurred to him but it wasn't just about him anymore. If something happened to Luna or Jayce it would be the same as if he’d died.

***

Crowd began gathering on either side of the red carpet and the students arrived and waved at the gathered throngs of parents, friends and siblings. To Tristan the students looked like kids pretending to be royalty for a day. Jayce passed by arm in arm with Cora. Even Pyson Mews had a date.

Ambrose and Luna, wearing matching black and maroon outfits walked arm in arm up the red carpet and Tristan bowed low in greeting.

“Milord's,” he said, in his best peasant voice impression.

Luna laughed but Ambrose just nodded his head at Tristan as if he’d expected his fellow students to bow to him.

Luna waved at him as Ambrose led her away and Tristan watched as she moved as if the wind gently pushed her along, her thin garments billowing seductively around her.

Someone cleared their throat beside him and Tristan turned to see Sylvia with her hands on her hips watching him.

“You’re staring,” she said. “It's creepy.”

Tristan looked down at the petite blond girl, with the leaves growing behind her ears.

“You don't like Luna do you?” he asked.

“Black hair, big boobs, what’s not to like,” said Sylvia.

“She’s more than that,” said Tristan.

“Thanks,” said Sylvia. “But I’d rather not spend the evening talking about the girl that snatched Ambrose away from me.”

She glared at Tristan. “So…” she said.

“So what?” he asked.

She shook her head.

“Are you going to ask me to ask me to be your date or not?” she asked.

“What?”

“You are hopeless, Tristan Bell.” She took his arm and yanked him towards the Hall. “Yes, you may be my date tonight,” she said. “Just don't embarrass me…” She looked him up and down. “And keep your hands to yourself.”

***

Stringed instruments played by magic filled the Great Hall with music. Students ate, laughed and danced. Some couples snuck out of the back doors and to their dorms which Master Wraithen pretended not to notice but Tristan sat at a table with Sylvia feeling as glum as she looked.

He’d watched Luna and Ambrose dancing all evening.

“So we are both here watching the person we like with somebody that's not us,” said Tristan.

Sylvia frowned but said nothing.

“So what’s it between you two?” he asked.

Sylvia crossed her arms but remained silent.

“You know you did kinda ask me to the dance,” said Tristan. “You could at least act civil.”

“That's rich coming from a scam artist,” said Sylvia.

“You know what,” said Tristan. “You might be pretty and those leaves thingies behind your ears are kinda cute but that doesn't mean I have to take this crap.” I began to stand up but Sylvia quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.

“Wait,” she stammered. “I'm sorry. It's just…”

“Just what?” asked Tristan.

“I can't be here alone,” she finally said. “This is really painful for me.”

“I'm sure,” he said dryly.

He looked at her and saw a single tear run down her cheek and once again Tristan felt like an asshole.

“I'm sorry,” he said, as he offered a slightly dirty napkin to Sylvia.

She took it without looking at it and wiped away the tear.

“We were an arranged marriage,” she said, then sniffed. “At first I thought Ambrose was a brat. He didn't have much interest in me. I was flat chested Sylvia. He prefered my sister, she was… older. But they could never be… she was the first born you see.”

Tristan didn't see but he nodded. “You have a sister?” he asked.

“Had,” said Sylvia. “She never made it through…” She sniffed again. “So I was the new eldest and that meant the arranged marriage was off.”

“But your feelings never went away,” said Tristan.

“Something like that.”

“What do you see Ambrose, he's a bit of a douche.”

Sylvia glared at Tristan.

“I mean he's unique,” he quickly said.

“Apart from the fact that he's perfect in every way,” said Sylvia.

“Not every way,” said Tristan.

Sylvia looks at him oddly

“Well he should be dancing with you, not Luna,” he said.

She nodded slowly.

“Do you want to do something about that?” he asked.

Sylvia tilted her head. “Like what?”

“Well, do you know how to dance?” he asked.

“No,” she said.

“Me neither but that's ok,” said Tristan. “I think it's like falling off a bicycle, it just comes naturally.”

Sylvia rolled her eyes. “How are you guy rank one?”

Tristan ignored the jab. “We’ll join the next dance and once the song is over you ask Ambrose for a dance and I’ll ask Luna. And then we just make sure to keep them apart after that.”

She wrinkled her brow then nodded sharply.

***

Tristan took Syliva’s hand and helped the girl to her feet. She straightened her dress and then fussed over her hair and then she quickly grabbed a glass and downed a glass of spiced wine.

“You’ve got this,” he said.

She took a deep breath and nodded. The girl was so nervous it was making him nervous. He led her by the hand and she slowly followed. The music rose and as it did Tristan pulled Sylvia closer and placed a hand on the small of her back. His hand slid slightly lower and she bared her teeth at him and he quickly raised his hand.

“An accident,” he said.

“You touch my ass again and I’ll rip your arm off and beat you to death with it.”

“Wow,” said Tristan. “It's hard to believe Ambrose could resist such a delicate flower.”

She dug her nails in his arm and he bit his lip to keep from crying out.

“Ok, so how does this dance thing work,” she said.

“You’ve got the first steps down right,” he said. “One - Threaten your dance partner, two- draw blood and three - stand there glaring at him with a mildly psychotic look on your face.”

“I'm leaving,” she said and she tried to pull away.

“Wait,” said Tristan. “I say the wrong thing when I'm nervous.”

“You must be nervous all the time,” she replied.

Tristan laughed and pulled her close again. “You know I think you’re starting to grow on me.”

They danced awkwardly at first but as the song progressed they began to find their rhythm.

“You know you are not what I expected,” he said. “Has Ambrose seen this side of you?”

She shook her head. “I'm usually too shy to say much when I’m around him.”

“Well don't hold back,” said Tristan. “He deserves to experience the real Sylvia.”

“What happens if he rejects me?”

“That's his loss then and at least you know you went down swinging.”

“That's not very comforting,” she said.

The music began to fade as the song drew to an end.

“It's showtime,” said Tristan and he spun Sylvia around and released her hand. She bumped into Ambrose and Luna and shot a look of panic at Tristan.

He nodded at her reassuringly.

“Dance with me,” Sylvia stammered and Tristan covered his face to keep from laughing.

“You look like you are enjoying yourself,” said Luna as she glided up beside him. She looked at Sylvia. “She’s cute.”

“I didn't notice,” said Tristan. “Do you want to dance?”

She tilted her head then smiled as he took her hand.

The music began up again, slow at first and Tristan held Luna close. They danced and Luna’s hair tickled his nose but he ignored it, he didn't want to let go of her hands even for a moment.

Cora and Jayce, who must have been dancing to their own music, bumped into Tristan and Luna. Jayce apologized and Cora punched Jayce’s arm. “Sorry about him,” she said. “He has two left feet.”

“That's not all I have two of,” said Jayce with a smile on his face.

Cora punched him again. “Gross! That doesn't even make any sense, you weirdo.”

Jayce laughed and the two spun off across the dance floor.

“They make a cute couple,” said Luna.

Tristan said nothing, he couldn't stop looking at Luna. He’d dreamt about holding her in his arms, of feeling her warmth against his skin.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.

“You look, um,” he stammered. “You look different.”

“Different?” she asked.

“Well, I'm not used to seeing you in a dress?”

“That's all you’re going to say?”

“No. He took a deep breath. “You look beautiful Luna, you always do.”

Her face reddened.

“Do you want to go for a walk… outside?” he asked.

She nodded.

They crossed the hall and Tristan saw Sylvia and Ambrose dancing together. She smiled at him as he passed by. They stepped outside and into the cold air. The moon looked like an orange smiling mouth and stars that looked like freckles spread out around it.

Tristan’s hand brushed against Luna’s. His palm grew sweaty. He wiped his hands on the jacket. Thankfully Luna pretended not to notice. Eventually when he could resist anymore he stretched out his finger and touched Luna’s hand. Her hand opened and he took her hand into his own. He felt her lean into him.

His heart was racing so fast he thought it was going to burst through his chest.

Luna looked into his eyes and her lush cascading black hair fell back to reveal full red inviting lips. Her purple eyes closed for a moment and her thick lashes half draped over them.

Tristan reached out a hand and caressed her cheek and Luna let out a sigh.

He leant forward and his lips brushed against hers.

“You’ve got the dragon’s own luck,” said Pyson Mews as the pale boy stopped beside them to pee in a bush.

Luna’s face reddened and she quickly pulled back from Tristan. “What?” she asked.

“He won the bet with odds against him,” said Pyson. “Then he wins you, Ambrose is going to be so mad when he finds out.”

“What bet?” asked Luna.

Tristan gestured for Pyson to stop talking but Pyson either didn't notice or didn't care.

“Fifty silvers on Misfits to beat the Vixens in less than five minutes,” said Pyson.

Luna rounded on Tristan.

“That money was for your debt,” she said.

“It's ok Luna,” Tristan protested. “We won. I was going to pay the debts and give you your money back.”

“You know what,” said Luna. “I'm not even angry right now. I feel sorry for you Tristan. You have something in you that refuses to be happy. Every time you even get the smallest chance of happiness you sabotage it.”

Tristan reached out to her and she pushed him away.

“For your sake I hope you can fix that one day,” she said in a low voice. “You deserve happiness and hopefully one day you will see that too.”

Luna leaned forward and kissed Tristan on the cheek then she walked away leaving Tristan feeling more alone than he'd ever felt before.

“So does that mean you are placing a bet on round two or not?” asked Pyson. “Because the odds are looking pretty good right now.”

“Just go,” said Tristan. He didn't have the energy to be angry. It felt like the plug had been pulled on his life and he was being sucked into nothingness.