The moment we returned to the party, our friends fell upon us.
“We’ve been wanting to dance with you! A ladies’ dance!” Clem took my hand and nodded over to where Anna was twirling beside Saga and Sayyida.
Happiness swelled inside me. My oldest friend’s crutch was nowhere in sight. The past week or so I’d noticed that she’d been using it less and less. Thanks to a healthy diet and exercise Anna had been able to gain weight and put on much needed muscle. Just as I had. Life wasn’t perfect, or even safe, but it was better in so many ways.
“How could I resist such charming partners?” Before Clem could pull me to the dance floor, I slid my palm into Thyra’s. “You’re coming too.”
“Are you sure?” Thyra asked, though she didn’t pull away. And to Clemencia’s credit, she didn’t balk at including my twin, even though they didn’t see eye to eye on many matters.
“The party is for us after all. We deserve a dance!”
Thyra’s cheeks took on a slight pink hue, a rare show of pleasure from my icier sister, as we joined Saga, Sayyida, and Anna. Before I could so much as throw my hands in the air, Marit arrived. The Balik sisters came last, allowed to socialize with me once again. I shimmied up to Baenna, a smile on my face, so happy to have them both back in my life.
We spun and swung our hips to the beat of the music, dancing far more freely than I’d done at court. More like when I’d lived in Sangrael, though back then I’d never worn such fineclothing, or had such a full belly. In less than six moons my life had changed, and yet, as I joked with my new friends, I felt the old ones tugging at me. Begging me not to forget them.
I won’t.I made that silent promise, chin tilted to the ceiling, allowing others to think I was absorbing the revelry.
“Oh, no you don’t! This is ladies only!” Anna’s sharp tone rang out over the music.
I laughed. Vale, Thantrel, Caelo, and Qildor had dared to return to the dance floor to join us.
Vale held up his hands. “You can’t blame a male for wanting to dance with his mate. I mean,lookat her.”
“Seconded.” Thantrel danced in place, seemingly unbothered by the denial and with exceptional rhythm. Thantrel was all sensual and smooth movements, which I suspected no formal instructor taught him.
Thyra noticed too. Her gaze was locked on the youngest Riis brother.
“I’ll find you later,” I promised Vale. “I want to dance with the ladies.”
Vale winked. “As you wish.”
The males drifted to the side, content to enjoy the company of their brotherhood.
Thyra’s arm looped through mine, and she pulled me close to whisper in my ear. “I’m glad we found one another.”
I faced my sister, took both her hands, then spun fast enough the faces of our friends blurred into the night that I’d never forget.
Chapter 32
VALE
The scents of bacon and toasted bread welcomed Isolde and me into the Balik family breakfast hall.
The daily family ritual was one I’d always envied hearing Sian speak of. My mother and the king rarely saw one another outside of social or diplomatic events. The Baliks were different from my family in so many ways. More like how I wanted my future family to be.
“There she is!” Lord Balik boomed with a smile. “Happy nameday, Isolde!”
A chorus of voices followed as others wished my wife well on her actual nameday.
My mate beamed. “Many thanks.”
“Truth be told, I was wondering how many of you would make it today,” Lord Balik teased. “Sian is still sleeping off the ale, I think.”
“Considering how many he drank, he might be abed for a few bells more.” I caught Filip’s twinkling eye.
Unlike his brother, the heir had turned in early. In fact, the only other nobles who weren’t present were Lord Riis and theFellhelm siblings. The latter were likely visiting their father in the healer’s sanctuary.
“Sian began a game of cards with Caelo, Duran, and Vidar after the party disbanded.” I came to a stop behind my usual chair. “Who knows how long they stayed up.”
