Chapter Forty-Three

The room is elaborate, and packed full of all things luxurious. It's a beautiful place, and I would appreciate much more were it not inhabited by vipers in expensive clothing.

Inanis's arm is still entwined with my own, and I'm grateful for it. Were he to let go I was sure I wouldn't know what to do with myself.

Inanis was right about one thing, though I would never admit it. I was entirely under dressed. My simple attire didn't even compare to the gorgeous gowns and suits everyone was wearing. I wasn't too embarrassed, being that I don't care too much for gorgeous outwear, but it did make me feel like I stood out. The last thing I want is to stand out.

People were still arriving to the party, but already them majority of people here were drinking wine, and eating, and enjoying themselves. Many of them looked miserable, as if they didn't want to be here anymore than I did. I felt a connection to those with the bored faces, I felt like we understood one another. It does not matter how rich one is, them most of us can agree, parties like these are terrible.

Inanis whispered in my ear, "Do you see that couple up ahead?" He pointed to a man in a absolutely gorgeous suit, embellished in fine diamonds, and a collar of jewels. It was extravagant, it was expensive, and it was undeniably overdramatic. Beside him was a frowning woman, she wore a lovely dark gown to match his suit, just as he, it was embedded with hundreds of what I had no doubt were all real diamonds. Her hair was pulled up and in it were pearls and small red rubies that popped out in the dark color of her hair.

I nod to my husband, "It's hard not to see them, it's like they want to be seen."

"Oh they do. That is Elias and Scarlett Parity, they own Parity cemetery."

I nearly choked on the air I breathed in. Parity Cemetery was the most luxurious cemetery in the world. It is said to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Solid gold tombstones, diamond encrusted pathways, it was like heaven, but for the bodies, and not the spirits.

"Why are they here?"

"Why wouldn't they be?" Was his only answer, "It is time we say hello. Prepare yourself, he is more arrogant than even I."

I wince, and we walk up to the couple. Scarlett looks at Elias almost immediately and cringes in disgust. I don't blame her. Elias, on the other hand, does not look phased, "Ahh, the Bone Cutter, star of the night."

Inanis casually smiles, "So I've been told."

"I hear you will be visiting my mausoleum again in provision for the demise of the chairman of this fine country." I fixate on the word 'again'.

"You've been to Parity Cemetery before?" I ask my husband who can not respond, as Elias is quicker.

"Several times to be precise. We are well acquainted." He holds out his hand, "You are Mirea, our darling Harvester, it is a pleasure to meet a woman so undeniably divine." I shake his hand, for some reason feeling strange to touch him. He is different than I had expected him to be, but also, exactly as I expected him to be.

His wife clears her throat and Elias speaks up, "Excuse my appalling manners," His arm reaches around his wife's shoulders, "This is my wife, Scarlett, my vital pillar through all of this nonsense." He sways his hand back, and I agree with him. This party is insufferable.

I shake her hand, and she smiles at me. I smile at her and I know both of us are faking it. She does not seem to like me, and I do not think I like her much either. She keeps glancing at Inanis, a cautious look in her eyes. She knows my husband is dangerous, and he must have displayed it personally to the both of them. Whatever it is he did, she has not forgiven him.

I do not want to know.

"Greetings are boring." Inanis says wrapping is own arm around my waist and pulling me against him, "And I have a whole night of them, so we best be moving along. We will talk more when we head down to your cemetery, a place in which I hope looks better than the last time I went." He's purposely taunting them, but they both are not phased. They must be used to his jabs because Elias smiles, and says.

"Oh, I believe you will be awed, and I can not wait to speak again." They move on, and I am left glaring at Inanis, like usual.

"Did you really have to insult them like that? You know his Cemetery is his life."

"A man who puts all his love in a graveyard is a man who needs to be stabbed in the ego a few times. Cemeteries are quiet and boring, and the dead, unfortunately can not die again. There is no substance in a tomb, therefore, it is irrelevant to me." He claps his hands, "Come, we have more people to meet, before I cut myself in the mouth."

We continue to make rounds, meeting people that were supposedly famous even though I have never heard of most of them. There were a few instances where I spotted Inanis's mother in the crowd, clearly searching for us, and every time I saw her, I would poke Inanis in the ribs, and tell him his mother is near.

We would quickly hide ourselves in the midst of the crowds.

"Hello, Mr. Messor." A light voice from behind us greets, and both me and my husband look over to see a gorgeous woman with long brown hair. She was tall and wore a long white coat that was tight on her thin, but muscular figure. I didn't fail to notice she wore boots similar to military boots as though she were prepared for action, or perhaps, she's paranoid, and heels are not practical for get-away situations.

I studied her face, and I noted that she was not as relaxed as she wanted us to believe. In fact, she looked rather nervous.

Inanis' eyes lit up when he saw her, as though she were the most peculiar oddity in the world. "I was hoping I'd run into you one day. I assume the creature is here as well?"

"He isn't a creature. And he has a name."

"Icah, then. He's listening now?"

"Always."

Inanis slid closer to her and asked, "Why are you here?"

She sighed, and looked around, "We've been invited, not sure why. I no doubt have reason to believe it's because we have both been the president's pet for years. Icah was his special phenomenon. Seeing a party gather for his execution is a rather ironic gesture, and our invitation is icing on the cake."

I do not know who this woman is, or why Inanis seems infatuated with her, but I wanted to know. "I'm sorry," I ask, "But how do you know her?" I ask him, and he looks at me as if remembering I'm here too.

"Do you believe in aliens, Mirea?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"You should." The woman urged, "Who knows how many are walking amongst you right now." She gives me a sweet smile, "I'll get going." She looks at my husband, "Make him hurt." She says, regarding the president, and walks off. I watch her leave in awe. Though there are plenty of people here taller than her, she walks as though she is the tallest. She has a glow to her that nobody else here does.

I'm jealous of her, and in adoration of her all at once.

Inanis seems to have already forgotten about her as he grabs my arm and tugs me though the crowd. I still want to know who that woman is, and why she told me to believe in aliens, but I can't when someone grabs my arm, pulling me away from Inanis.

I'm pushed against this person's chest, and when I look up, I realize this person isn't a stranger, but my father. I gasp, "Dad?"

"Hey sweetheart."

I do not know why he's here, but I don't care. I wrap my arms around him, and tightly squeeze him. I'm smiling, and so is he, though I take note just how tired he looks. "You look beautiful." He tells me, and I look down at my plain red dress.

I sheepishly smile, "Thanks."

"Mirea," He says, "There's something I must tell you-" He doesn't get the chance to finish when Inanis yanks me away from my father without either of us realizing it, and I'm thrusted into his chest.

"Good evening, Mr. Dhalmi, it seems you've stolen something from me. That wasn't very nice." Inanis's distaste for my father was no secret, and my father, in return, wasn't too fond of him either.

They glared at each other as my father simply states, "Am I not allowed to say hello to my girl?"

Inanis grimaced, "She isn't your girl, in case you've forgotten."

"Have I no say in this conversation?" I blurt, but they ignore me.

"I've known her since the moment she came out of her mothers womb. You've barely known her a year."

"And yet she came back to me."

My father has no comeback for that, and quite honestly, neither do I. When Inanis realizes he has nothing to say, he grabs me from around my waist, and pulls me to walk with him. I don't know why I do, but I do, figuring I'll sneak off eventually and talk to my father later.

"You're cruel to him." I say when my father is lost behind the crowd.

"I could be worse." I knew he was right, so I didn't say anything more.

We continue to walk through the many people, I don't know where Inanis is heading, but I know that he knows, but of course he won't tell me. I barely know anyone that we've met tonight, so I'm allowing him to show me what to do, who to talk to, and who to avoid.

It isn't until my name is called with such a familiar voice, that my heart sinks. Inanis must know something is wrong because he stares at me confused.

I look over, and at that moment, the night got worse, despite my confidence that I couldn't. My mother stood with a dazzling jeweled dress, a glass wine her left, and in her right was the arm of a man I've never met.

I haven't seen my mother since the day I proposed to take my father place in his execution. I hope that was the last day I ever say her again.

I feel the blood drain from my face, and I squeeze Inanis' arm so tight, he grips me as if he feared I would faint. He looks towards my gaze, and sees my mother, a woman he has yet to truly meet.

"She's a monster." I tell him, not needed to explain who she is. I feel like hyperventilating, "Do not let her speak to me." My voice is so stern, that he doesn't attempt to disobey.

"She is nothing."

"She is worse than your mother ever could be."

"Then she is terrifying." I don't smile at his joke.

"Let us focus on importance." He whispers in my ear, "Let us show her how much more important you are than her."

I look at him, and I see the glint in his eyes that always promises mischief. Normally I scold him for it, but at this moment, I only nod, "Yes," I say, "Let's."