“Lena, are you feeling alright?” I was startled by Mother’s voice. “You were just staring off into space.”
“Oh…yes, yes, I am okay.”
I closed my eyes briefly.
Please stay out of my head unless I say you can be there.
Torrin didn’t respond, but I assumed he listened.
The Queen approached me as I was stuffing my face with the sweetest, most decadent fudge imaginable.
“Lena,” she smiled widely. “I would like to show you our gallery.”
I blinked, then quickly swallowed the treat, sliding my tongue over my teeth and praying to the Gods I didn’t have chocolate stuck between them.
As we strolled to wherever this gallery was, I made eye contact with Silas. He quirked a brow, and I shrugged my shoulders in response.
We went out the other set of double doors that led to the ballroom, and I nearly gasped at the sight of the gallery. Dozens of stunning pieces of artwork were placed neatly along the white stone walls.
“Look around,” Ryia commented. “See which one is your favorite.”
I nodded, then slowly made my way around the room. Various paintings were hung, portraying royalty, wildlife, or nature. Several marble statues were placed in the center of the room, the work so intricate that the people depicted looked almost life-like.
After several minutes of marveling at the various pieces, I stopped before the art that spoke to me the most. It was a painting the size of the castle doors. Stunning reds, oranges, and yellows depicted flame, with blues and purples delicately placed. The vivid fire swirled around what appeared to be a cloud of black smoke. The description of the piece read:Death by a lover's fire.
“This piece was gifted to me by my father,” Ryia spoke. “He had it commissioned by a talented painter in Faltrun.He named the pieceRebirth.”
I paid attention to the detail, how the canvas showed all the texture of the paint used on it. It was beautiful…despite the eerie words beneath it.
“This one is my favorite,” I decided.
The Queen laughed through her nose. “I knew it would be.”
I frowned. “How so?”
She smiled softly. “Because it is Silas’s, too.”
After an evening of eating treats, sipping champagne, and dancing with Mother, the ball ended, and I made my way to Silas as people began to filter out.
“Hey,” he said with his lazy smile. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
“As have I,” I whispered back. My smile faded. “I wish I could hug you goodbye.”
He gave a sad smile. “I wish it too.” His eyes faltered, then came back to mine. “What was with that dance with Torrin?”
My heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”
He frowned. “It’s just you seemed awfully comfortable with him.”
I kept the nerves at bay and lifted my champagne glass. “Liquid courage always helps.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie. I wished I could tell him about Torrin…aboutme.
Silas smiled at my comment, then leaned in. “I do rather like you tipsy, you know?”
I bit down on my lip as heat traveled through my body. “It’s cruel to tease me, Your Highness.”
Silas grinned as he pulled back, taking my hand and kissing it one more time. “Have a wonderful evening, Lena.”
