Reza examined himself in the mirror, trying to ensure he had tied his crimson tie straight. It was his third attempt, and it was too short every time, or the top wasn't perfectly symmetrical. With great relief, it looked presentable enough in his dark grey suit with crimson accents for him to go to a play with the family of one of the high lords of the city. It's time to get going, or I'll be late, and Cassia will kill me.

Leaving his new residence for the next few weeks, Reza quickly strode through the Rewan estate. Sabine's father had been incredibly gracious and allowed him to have the entire guest house behind their splendid garden at the back of the estate, used mainly for allies from distant kingdoms and city-states that came to Arkhen. It was empty beside himself and the servants that handled the building. The building was grander than his estate just north of the city, dwarfing it in size and splendor; Reza suspected some of the paintings in just his room were worth close to his entire home.

And the garden continued to show their wealth, as it was easily double his own at home, even though it was in the wealthiest part of the city. Small paths made their way through luxurious beds of exotic flowers, bushes carved into magnificent statues, and massive trees that must have been transported from elsewhere. The wealth displayed in the garden alone was staggering.

Reza passed by many gardeners, and they all waved as he passed. He nodded at them and entered the mansion to escape the estate. Still feels weird.

He had been here a couple of days already, and Rewan had given him free rein of anything he needed, but he felt guilty about the luxury provided to him without compensation. And yet every time he tried to offer money for the place, the food, and the servants that were helping him, Lord Rewan flatly refused. Reza knew the night before had been his last time asking, as Rewan had flatly said with all finality, "My boy, it is my pleasure to host a friend of Sabine's and one of the candidates for Archon. Please do not ask again."

Reza thankfully did not see Lucien as he entered the grand hallway. The man had kept his distance from himself and Sabine, but that hadn’t stopped him from running into him a couple of times. Leaving the man behind in his thoughts, Reza again took time as his time to reach the front entrance of the manor, using the time to examine and enjoy the sight.

The grand hallway cleaved the manor in half, with several different hallways separating off from it and a central marble staircase that gracefully curved upward. The hallway was almost a museum towards the wealth of the Rewans; where the Sulli’s estate wasn’t pretentious with their show of wealth, the Rewans held nothing back. The midnight oak walls were adorned with a vast array of paintings, statues, vases, weapons, and jewels set into the walls themselves. The wealth alone in this room was several times every minor noble's entire wealth, though Reza knew it was only a tiny portion of the family's wealth. Lord Rewan was believed to be the wealthiest man in Arkhen and perhaps the richest on the continent. Yet, wealth was nothing but a means for him to enjoy himself to the fullest and for those around him.

Reza stopped at the side of the door, looking at a particular painting of the Broken king on his throne with a small mass of wraiths surrounding him and his building. It was the most interesting painting to Reza as it was not some great piece of color or trying to glorify some battle or event. It was just the king and wraiths, almost black and white with a mix of muted colors. But there was power within it; every time Reza walked into this building, he stopped and looked at it. The cold power radiated from his connection with Elana every time he looked upon it.

Strangely, Lord Rewan was unsure who had painted it or when, and no one had any clue, but he showed it off, as many commented on it. Rewan had offered to place it in the guest house as he noticed Reza’s interest, but he had gently refused, more inclined to enjoy it in the central hall when he passed.

His thoughts were interrupted when Reza heard a voice from behind him. He turned to see Sabine in a gorgeous crimson velvet dress that matched his suit’s accents. The dress clung to her shoulders and brushed against the floor, showing off every curve of her body. When she came closer, what looked first like a plain dress had up close was a complex pattern of raised lines sewn into the dress the same color as the velvet. Looking away from her body, Reza noticed that her hair was braided down her back and only carried a small black leather hand-held purse. Reza stood there stunned, gazing at her as she approached him.

He finally found his voice as she stopped next to him. "You look stunning tonight. Where are you going so finely dressed?"

She laughed, brushing something off his shoulder. "You cleaned up pretty well yourself."

She then grabbed his tie and tightened it, slightly moving it as she carefully positioned it. Reza kept his eyes on hers, fighting the urge to look elsewhere.

Stolen story; please report.

"You didn't think you were the only person attending the play. My father has a private box, just like Sulli. You might have been my date if you had not accepted an invitation already." She winked and held out her hand.

Reza blinked. He quickly remembered his manners and held his arm out. Sabine wrapped her own through it. As they left the house, a carriage sat at the base of the black marble staircase, already ready for them to go.

Reza helped Sabine into the carriage, and they left, moving quickly through the district to the theatre. Reza kept silent, and Sabine seemed not to mind the silence.

He broke the silence finally as they neared the theatre, and the carriage slowed. "Do you know what this play is about?"

Sabine chuckled. "You accepted an invitation to play you know nothing about. How you amaze me." She patted him on the thigh.

He ignored the jab. "I accepted because Cassia wanted to go, and she and Lukas had something at the Anceslia a few days back. And Tavia also showed interest, and I can't say no to such an opportunity for my sisters."

"Really, I'm surprised you didn’t say something. I hope Cassia knows there's no way Lord Sulli would ever sanction a match." Sabine looked worried at such a situation.

Reza shrugged. He had the same reservations, though his conversation with Lukas and Cassia later on did bring such concerns to light. "I had words with both of them, and both assured me they would be friends." He looked out of the window and saw that they were nearing the theatre. He could see the bright lights of the front of it.

"But what if this is just the start? I like Cassia; I wouldn't want her to get heartbroken." Sabine said

Reza nodded. "I agree. But I had time to think since they first met; there is no problem for them to become friends with everything that has happened and the level of interest my family has gotten. Let them see if they like each other and if there is a possible match. It could be possible if I win the contest and become Sorana's Archon." He looked at Sabine. She looked away. "I won't stifle such thoughts for my sister as long as every one is sensible and understands the situation, friends is enough for now."

The carriage stopped, and Reza helped Sabine before holding his arm out. She wrapped her arm around his. "I guess you're right."

They walked into the theatre, and Reza regretted not pretending he had injured himself in the contest or joining Sabine in her box. However, there was too much opportunity to build a relationship with the Sullis.

The building was one of a kind; no other one in the city that matched it. The outside was almost entirely covered with copper sheets shined to a bright mirror finish. The only part of the front that was not copper was the stone columns that lined the massive entrance into the building. Two copper doors hung open as they passed through with an usher on either side, and both bowed as they walked past.

Reza looked down at Sabine. "You never did tell me what this play was about?"

"Oh right, It's about All Hallows Eve. Three wraiths of executed witches take over the bodies of three women to enact their revenge on the descendants of their enemies. People seem to like it, and with Hallows Eve only a few days away, it seems the right time for it."

Reza wanted to smack himself. With everything happening and him not expecting to still be in the city, he had forgotten the most sacred day in Arkhen. It was the night when all the wraiths of the city were forced into the world, visible to everyone until the dawn of the next day rose to send them back to their unknown resting place. It was a night of feasting, celebrations, and remembering the dead. Many people saw loved ones recently passed, or ancestors came to their homes to see their descendants.

A slight pang of grief flashed through Reza as he realized he would not get to enjoy such a reunion with either of his parents, who had both died outside of the city. It had been their decision, and something Reza agreed was correct, but the pain was still there, knowing he could have seen them again.

Pushing the unfortunate thought away, he smiled at Sabine. "Sounds interesting. Do you think the contest will fight on that day? It seems crazy to do such a thing."

Sabine shrugged. "I couldn’t say for sure, but I would lean towards no. People will be focused on other things, and the contest can wait a day."

Reza let Sabine take the lead, as he had no idea where he was going. She led him to a door where another usher waited. She pulled a golden key from her purse and showed it to him; he opened the door.

"Do you know how your sisters are getting in here?" Sabine asked as they walked through the door and started to walk up the stairs.

Reza shrugged. "I honestly haven't talked to them in days beyond sending a letter to tell them I was being forced to stay in the city and sending a carriage to pick them up. I assume Sulli will have people watching for them, or Lukas may have already gotten them."

Sabine guided them through the door at the top of the stairs into a long, curving corridor. They walked about halfway when she finally stopped.

"This is me. You'll find the Sulli box three doors down." She let go of his arm, pulling him into a brief embrace. "Meet me here after the play, and I will have the carriage bring us home."

Reza let his arms drop and nodded. Sabine disappeared through the door, and Reza went three doors down and knocked.

A servant came to the door and opened it. "Yes? May I help you?"

Reza looked past the man and saw a large open box with multiple chairs at the edge of it. People were already sitting in the chairs, though he could not see who they were, with the long back of the chairs hiding their features. "Lord Marius Reza here on the invitation of Lukas Sulli."

The servant nodded and allowed him in. Taking a deep breath, Reza resigned himself to the play and, hopefully, had an enjoyable time in the presence of Lord Sulli and the others.