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Eons before magical faculties developed travel between worlds it was widely accepted amongst the scholars of Solaria that their planet was blessed with a smaller, second moon orbiting the prima luna, the intricate dance making it possible for Solaria to thrive in such close proximity to the sun. When the three celestial bodies aligned and the two moons eclipsed the sun, in an event that came to be known as The Long Night, the Solarian people lit their towns by candlelight and built bonfires to fend off the darkness. It was in the year 586 the natives of Solaria’s prima luna used the power of the eclipse to strengthen their lunar magic and bridge the gap between Solaria and the dwarf planet, Lumaris, seeking refuge from a dark force. The combined efforts of the two civilisations to banish the legendary evil from Lumaris shaped an unbreakable bond between Solaria and its new neighbour, celebrated to this day with the Festival of-
“Sounds lame,” Riven remarked offhandedly, focused on the free weights pressed above his head while Brandon spotted him from behind. He pushed for a final rep then dropped the weights at his feet, feeling the burn in his deltoid muscles. “Why should we care about some stupid Festival of Nights?”
“Festival of Lights,” Brandon corrected, rolling his eyes as he reached down for the free weights Riven abandoned. “Every eclipse the kingdom celebrates with the traditions of Old Solaria. They dress up, have banquets, host local tournaments, they even stick to the candlelight and bonfires their ancestors prepared for The Long Night. The Solarian Royal Family has a tour of the triad where the king gives an evening speech from secunda luna, right Stella?”
As Crown Princess of Solaria with strong Lumarian heritage on her mother’s side, Stella grew up with a detailed understanding of – and strong respect for – the importance of the Festival of Lights, having accompanied her parents on each royal tour since birth. She stood in attendance of the inaugural bonfires lit at the Solarian Royal Palace and watched in awe as her kingdom was illuminated street by street with the lanterns strung across the pavements. Citizens used the holiday to move freely between the two planets and come together with friends and family they couldn’t see often. To make room for visitors, her people set up their dining room furniture in the roads and decorated their tables with candles and blossoms in sunset colours, ready to host their neighbours with home-cooked dishes. She was never allowed to watch the morning jousts with her father but Queen Luna always slipped away to the stables with Stella in tow so they could wish the horses luck.
On Lumaris the fabric of the buildings and pavements in the ancient cities omitted a gentle blue glow, embedded with moon glass that brightened in retaliation to the blackened skies. Brilliant white orbs lingered in the air above the chattering crowds in the First Coliseum, highlighting the goldwork embroidered on their period dress. While the spectators stood in awe of the magical demonstrations performed in the arena below, Stella was enchanted by the elaborate costumes crafted with damask, charmeuse, gazar, finished with voile or hand-woven lace. She studied the movements of the different materials and enthusiastically pointed out her favourite pieces to her grandmother, Lady Adrienne, who could identify the designer from the stitching alone and gossiped with the princess about the politics of fashion. Stella wanted nothing more than to enjoy this year’s festivities with her family, but it wasn’t meant to be.
The invitations had arrived in the same stack of mail but the franking on the envelopes confirmed to Stella that her father’s slanted cursive was penned in his personal study at the Solarian Royal Palace, miles away from where her mother had playfully drawn a little star above every i of her letter atop the Royal Lumarian Astrology Tower. Stella couldn’t recall a time in their near eighteen years of marriage her parents had spent a night apart yet here her mother had made arrangements on Lumaris while King Radius remained on Solaria. It was implied from the invitations they would oversee their home planets’ festivities independently, making the young princess question whether this separation was only temporary. Unable to pick a side, Stella declined both invites and fabricated her own Festival of Lights party on Magix for her fictional friends. She didn’t give the lie a second thought until her father sent a crate of Solarian sun wine from his private stores and a Lumarian handmaid delivered a couture ball gown to her dorm room, so the princess could still celebrate in style.
Heartened by these reminders of her home, her heritage, Stella eagerly proposed the party idea to her class and was disappointed, but not surprised, when the fairies of Alfea politely blew her off. She had no idea whether the boys at Red Fountain would be interested in the Festival of Lights when her only draw – the girls – didn’t want to attend but Stella was getting desperate and the Specialists were her friends, at least she hoped. She found the boys training in the outdoor gym and had convinced herself that maybe if she asked in person, the princess could make her pity-party-for-one seem fun.
“Riven’s right, it’s pretty dumb,” Stella replied, feeling embarrassed all over again for trying. “Sorry for bothering you guys.”
This didn’t sit right with Sky, who had watched Stella nervously pitch her party idea with false cheer from where he sat on the leg extension machine. It was clear to him that Stella wanted to throw a party in Magix as much as Timmy wanted to be in the gym at that moment. Stella was homesick.
The Specialist was going to put together the greatest last-minute Festival of Lights party on a $30 budget the magical universe had ever seen. But first, he needed to track down another Solarian.
“I’m Lumarian,” Nix corrected, picking up his pace across the quad. “Just because my planet’s next to Solaria and we have a single sovereign doesn’t make us one people or whatever crap the king’s lobbying for. Great Kingdom of Solaria – what a joke. Anyone who says that isn’t thinking about Lumaris. You know my planet still gets called the prima luna, first moon? You’d think the sunsuckers found the damn place. First Solarian on the moon,” he mimicked. “Our people have governed Lumarian affairs for centuries. I’d sooner have an unmarked grave than be called Solarian.”
Sky jogged lightly after the sophomore, hoping he hadn’t ruined his chances. “I’m sorry man, this Festival of Lights stuff is confusing and I could really use your help.”
Nix turned back to the freshman, the surprise in his tone offering Sky some reassurance. “You know about the Festival of Lights?”
“Yeah… kinda… no,” Sky confessed, rubbing the nape of his neck. “I only heard about it today, someone I know from Solaria can’t spend the festival with her parents and I want to do something special. But I’m trying to work out how.”
“Pretty big gesture for some girl from Solaria.”
“She’s not some girl,” Sky sighed, running a hand through his brown bangs.
It didn’t take Nix long to piece together this something special was for Princess Stella and so he offered Sky a sympathetic ear while the Eraklyonite asked questions about the royal celebrations. “I don’t know if Stella’s told you this but her parents aren’t exactly on the best terms right now, even if she was going back to Solaria for the Festival of Lights it won’t be happy families if you know what I mean.” Sky didn’t know this, but nodded along as if he did. “If you want my advice, order a couple of pizzas, light some candles and dress up for a bit of fun. Keep it simple. It won’t be the fanfare she’s used to, but maybe that’s the distraction she needs.”
“I don’t own any clothes that would suit the occasion.” Sky had already raided the history section of the Red Fountain library for inspiration and the trunk of Eraklyonite formalwear he shared with Brandon for a suit – a hat – a sock – anything that would make Stella feel at home.
“Take mine,” Nix insisted, measuring the freshman by eye to judge if they were similar enough in size. “Mom sends a custom suit every year but it should fit you just fine. It’s not really my style and everyone knows if you’re not a royalist tourney boy jousting for a gold chain from King Radius, you’re spending the Festival of Lights in some dude’s basement playing New Domain with a couple of beers. You don’t need to dress up for that, though some people do come in character – as you already know,” he smirked.
Sky had no idea what Nix was talking about. “New Domain?”
“You haven’t heard of it?” Sky shook his head. “Huh. Riven’s been playing with us since summer. He’s actually one of the few guys that comes in costume.”
Cornered in their dorm room that evening, Riven was pushed through all stages of grief before finally accepting his nerdy hobby was no longer a secret. As the group’s expert on New Domain he also got to accept the role of Story Spinner, a position he wasn’t allowed to hold with his regular troupe at Red Fountain. This was on account of Ed being a total control freak and the only player at the school who had invested in The Dominium, a 4,000-page rulebook the boys regarded as scripture. Determined for his debut as Story Spinner to be a success, Riven had visited Ed’s room the next morning to politely ask to borrow the book for a couple of hours. When Ed gave a firm no and slammed the door in his face, Riven returned to his room in the afternoon while Ed was at lunch and borrowed it anyway. Buried at the bottom of his satchel under his own copy of the New Domain game board, Riven carried The Dominium across Magix with the $30 Sky gave him for pillar candles.
Pretty measly for a prince Riven had thought, pocketing the $30 and entering the most ornate cathedral in the city. Dressed in dark burgundy leather trousers and a black chemise, Riven recounted Stella’s sob story from the day previous to the clergy and choked on how he, a lonely boy from Solaria, would feel more at home with the comfort of some pillar candles on the Festival of Lights. He walked away with dozens, free of charge, and a chocolate chip cookie from the middle-aged women who took pity on him. He donated $5 to ease his conscience and stopped by the flower shop next to Sky’s venue for a bouquet. Feeling pretty proud of himself, Riven sent Sky a quick text to say he’d found decorations and would have the game set up ready for when their group arrived.
Any spare change?? Sky asked in reply.
Nope, Riven typed back, handing over the last $4 to the cashier for an apple kiwi smoothie.
Sky frowned at his phone, doubting his decision to let Riven be in charge of decorating their venue. He had put so much thought into the details for tonight that it would devastate him if his plan fell apart.
Brandon picked up on his friend’s anxiousness and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “You look great, Prince Sky.”
Sky knew they were playing pretend, they had been perfecting their roles since the start of the year and he had even grown used to his new name. Dressed in the dark green jacquard suit Nix had given him, a gold chain around his neck, soft waves styled into his brown hair, he couldn’t find a trace of his low-born status in the reflection staring back at him. The squire truly felt like a prince.
Timmy rounded the corner in cream tights under knee-length cuffed shorts in baby blue, accented with bronze embroidery. Brandon handed him a freshly-pressed cream shirt with a detachable ruffle neck collar. “You both look great. I think this is going to be really fun!”
“This was a cool idea Sky,” Brandon agreed, looping his dorm keys round his fingers. The navy leather shorts he wore weren’t built with pockets but they were the best he could find on short notice without upstaging his friend’s ceremonial dress. “Stella’s going to love it.”
The trio headed down to the school’s stables, making a quick detour past Codatorta’s empty office to swipe the key for the ceremonial tack cabinet. Red Fountain’s resident farrier had already given their battle master a heads up that the boys were volunteering to exercise the horses that evening, though Sky was careful to leave out a few important details. Specifically, his intention to take a horse-drawn carriage into Magix. He slipped the bridles over his two favourite Shires and praised them for behaving as he adjusted the nosebands. Timmy and Brandon had carefully wheeled out a polished midnight blue carriage and worked quickly to strap the horses into the leg harnesses, glancing back at the quad to make sure they weren’t caught. By the time Codatorta pieced together what was going on, the sun had started its descent past the trees of the Enchanted Forest as the Specialists stole away to Alfea.
Stella’s glossed lips were pursed in concentration as she fastened the last ringlet back with a bobby pin, flipped the section of hair back on itself, and tucked the end curl behind the chignon she’d tackled with hairspray long ago. Lifting her chin to the mirror so she could admire her handiwork, the princess gave her hair one last spritz for luck and balanced the bejewelled gold tiara on the crown of her head. She brushed the stray pieces of hair behind her ears, frowned, then twirled them back to the front to flatter her face. The faint freckles scattered across her nose and cheeks were expertly hidden under foundation and a dusting of bronzer, her honey eyes open wide while she lengthened her lashes with mascara. The subtle glitter on her lids twinkled with each blink and matched the soft gold of her brocade gown, a beautiful dress with a sweetheart neckline that cut across her chest and enhanced her curves by continuing into off-the-shoulder straps and finishing as a deep plunge down her back. There were no fastenings to the dress; Stella was supported by the boning of the corset alone and she revelled in the artistry of such a risqué piece.
Finishing off her look with gold drop earrings, Stella lifted the floor-length skirt with her left hand and stepped into a pair of cream peep-toe heels, her right hand compelling the wooden crate of Solarian sun wine to follow her out of her dorm with a simple spell. A text from Timmy lit up her phone screen to say the boys were almost at the gates and Stella glided down the hallway, beaming. Nothing could dull her excitement.
Or so she thought.
A group of juniors appeared at the top of the stairwell and stopped in their tracks, their conversation ending abruptly as they leaned back to watch Stella pass by. They didn’t say anything. They didn’t have to, their disapproving stares bore into the exposed skin of her back like a slow sunburn. Stella was no stranger to judgement but she despised the nausea that hit when she was unkindly reminded she was too loud, too crass, too overdressed. Too much like herself.
Reaching the last step, Stella had full view of the courtyard and was filled with dread as the setting sun captured the silk sheen of her ball gown. The wooden crate rattled beside her, spell and confidence shaken as the fairies of Alfea glowered at the princess. She fixed her eyes on the gate, praying the boys were ready for a quick getaway, silently directing her feet as a distraction. Heel-toe-heel-toe-heel-toe-heel-toe-
“Who does she think she is?”
The words stung Stella like a real-world slap to the face and she lost control over the crate, cringing as it hit the ground with a firm thud. Steadying her composure with a deep breath, Stella forced a cheery smile. “Whoops! My bad!”
“Such a ditz,” someone scoffed behind her.
She stooped down to see if there was any damage to the wine bottles when another voice added, “What is she wearing?”
One of the panels had fractured on impact, something Stella didn’t know how to repair with or without magic. She scooped up the crate in her arms so her eyes could peer over the top and bit back tears. Her peers sniggered as she struggled across the path, their critical eyes making her lightheaded. It crossed Stella’s mind to abandon the wine, the boys, the last scrap of her dignity and seek refuge in her dorm when someone steadied her by her arm.
“Stella?” Sky’s fingertips grazed her temple to brush her bangs aside as his other hand balanced the splintered crate, taking the burden from the princess.
Exposed, Stella wrung her hands nervously in front of her body and blinked back tears, readying an apology before she would run back to her room. “Sky I’m so-”
“Beautiful,” Sky finished, his brown eyes widening. “Wow. Wow.”
Stella stared back at the Specialist and her heart warmed at the boyish wonder that softened his features. Taking in the ornate Solarian attire fitted to his broad frame, she spotted Timmy and Brandon waving to her over Sky’s shoulder from a horse-drawn carriage. She brought a hand up to her lips in shock. “You did this for me?”
“Well this is just the transportation,” Sky grinned knowingly, tucking the crate under one arm so he could free the other for his princess. She held his bicep, grateful for the support as they walked towards their friends. “There’s so much more once we get to Magix.”
The stares of the other students followed the pair out of the gates but Stella no longer cared. Let them stare, she thought, I have my hero. “Thank you Sky.”
“The bottles weren’t that heavy Stella, it’s no big deal,” he brushed off, sliding the damaged crate into the carriage.
Remembering their manners, Brandon and Timmy bowed to Stella and regaled her by rotating their wrists melodramatically. She tugged the ruffles of Timmy’s collar teasingly to bring the redhead back to his feet. “Now this suits you.”
“Don’t get too attached, the collar certainly isn’t,” Brandon joked, pulling the tie away to expose the deep v-neck of Timmy’s dress shirt.
Sky followed up with a low wolf whistle and a dramatic “ooh” when Timmy snatched the collar back, shoved Brandon to one side and made a dash for the driver’s seat of the carriage. “Keep up Brandon!” Timmy taunted from the stoop, refastening the collar and gathering the reins in his fist.
“That’s our cue,” Brandon called out to Sky as he joined Timmy on the stoop. “Enjoy the ride Stella!”
Sky stood to attention at the carriage door, stealthily wiping the sweat from his palms onto the stiff silk of his trousers before guiding Stella up the two small steps. His cheeks grew hot at the sight of her exposed back, the skirt of her gown falling dangerously low as she climbed into the carriage. Taking a moment to regain some self-control, Sky wound down the sunroof from outside the carriage and caught a quick glimpse of his friends giving him the thumbs up. He returned the gesture and moved into the empty space next to Stella, whose honey eyes admired the painted horizon while he sat in awe of her.
The jolt of the carriage falling back into motion startled them both and Sky quickly averted his gaze to the raised patterns embroidered on his suit, subconsciously picking the sun flares at his thigh. Stella took his lead and traced the moon pattern on his other leg with her fingernail, piecing together the storyboard of The Long Night etched across Sky’s clothing. “This is Lumarian. Thrice-dyed silk, hand-embroidered, Torian-style illustrations. It’s a Tillin piece,” Stella murmured to herself, a soft smile playing on her lips. “My grandmother’s a huge fan of Tillin’s work, she’d love to see you in this suit.”
“Oh yeah?” Sky grinned, taking the compliment very literally. With new-found confidence he extended his arm across the back of the loveseat, ready for the opportune moment to hold the princess. “What else will your grandmother love about me?”
“How modest you are.” Stella bit her bottom lip, realising how close they were. “How handsome you look… how you went through the trouble of finding a Tillin suit and planning a party for me on such short notice.”
Sky lowered his arm to Stella’s shoulder and was relieved when she leaned into him. “Tell me about her, about Solaria. I want to know everything.”