“Your Highness,” Maisie says, although she doesn’t open the door farther. Nor does she meet my eyes, keeping her gaze on my neck or chin.
“Is everything all right in there?”
She hesitates before answering in a quiet voice. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I…well, I sensed something coming from your room.”
“Excuse me?” Her face blanches, eyes going wide as they flick to mine for the merest fraction of a second.
“I’m a psy vampire,” I say, hoping that’s explanation enough.
Her expression relaxes before she shakes her head as if to clear it. “Oh, yes, I was told about that.”
“I had no intention of spying on you in that way.” I sort through my next words before I say them, since I’ll need to omit some facts without lying. “I was coming to check on you when I felt it.”
“I see.”
I wait for her to say more, but she doesn’t. “So…is everything all right?”
“I’m all right,” she says slowly, carefully, and offers me a contrived smile. I breathe in her emotions, comparing them to what I gleaned from our first meeting. Beneath an outer layer of anxiety, I sense a familiar buzz that must be her energetic signature. If only I’d read the mystery pianist’s energy to compare it to. If she is the girl I’m looking for, it could explain her anxiety. After telling me she wasn’t coming to the ball, she might want to hide that she attended without my knowledge. Then again, I sensed her alarm long before I reached her door.
I fold my arms. “The emotion I sensed was coming from you, correct?”
“I was afraid for a moment,” she says easily. Too easily. “Startled by a sound I heard, but it was nothing truly terrifying.”
“And you’re all right now?”
She lifts her chin. “I’ve already said as much.”
I narrow my eyes. She’s definitely hiding something. “Did you come to the ball tonight?”
“No, Your Highness, I did not. I’ve been in my room all evening.”
My stomach sinks at her answer, my disappointment far heavier than I could have guessed it would be. So, she isn’t the mystery girl after all.
“I appreciate you checking on me, but it is getting late,” she says flatly. “I should sleep.”
“Right,” I say, shrugging off my chagrin.
“Goodnight, Your Highness.” The words are clipped, her posture stiff as she shuts the door in my face.
I stand there a few moments, eyes unfocused as I sort through the chaos of my thoughts. With the slam of her door still echoing in my ears and the uncomfortable murky energy that lingers in the air, it’s painfully clear how much the princess dislikes me. I’ve never courted someone who didn’t at least feign desire. But when we spoke this morning, she seemed upset when I mentioned she could leave. So, what the hell is going on here? If we continue to interact so coldly, no one will believe we’re truly courting. Not the humans, not the fae, and certainly not my sister. Imustconvince my sister I’m trying…even if I’m not.
I turn away from Maisie’s room, shaking my head. If I am to take advantage of this unwanted pairing, I need to get in the princess’ good graces. At the very least, I need to convince her not to hate me. As I make my way toward the heart of the palace, an idea begins to form. I think I know what I can do to set her better at ease around me…
I’ll make it right tomorrow.
I expect my new idea to comfort me, but as I continue down the halls, I can’t shake a crushing sensation that hums deep in my core. Am I upset at Maisie’s coldness? No, that’s not it. While I’m not sure what I did to earn her dislike, I appreciate honesty and prefer open disdain over falsified respect.
Then what has me so forlorn?
A blue dress and silver mask flash through my memory, sending another pang of regret. It’s her. The mystery girl. Until now, I hadn’t realized how badly I wanted Maisie to be the pianist. But why? Was I hoping to discover we’re more compatible than I originally thought? And if so, why should I care?
Maybe it’s just a distraction I seek. My conversation with the mystery girl was entertaining, and she was certainly easy to talk to, but that’s only because she didn’t know who I am. If she knew my true identity, it would be different.I’dbe different.
There’s no further my fascination can go. No further I shouldallowit to go.
Besides, she’s certainly long gone by now. If I was ever going to find her, I already would have.
