32
EMBER
We make it a full round along the path that circles the lake, stopping every now and then to chat with passersby. I’m impressed that Franco manages to speak with them without any outward sign of annoyance. If anything, he just seems a little uncertain, his posture less self-assured than it normally is. We hold no conversation overlong, just enough to exchange pleasantries. By the time Franco suggests we head back, my lips are aching from smiling. I’m more than eager to comply when he takes me in his arms and shoots into the sky.
“That wasn’t so bad,” Franco says as he lands us near the front of the palace. Part of me wishes he’d taken me straight to the balcony instead, but going through the front doors is another demonstration that he’s trying. He’s letting himself be seen, and not just from afar.
I give him a sardonic smile. “I’m glad you survived. Now, what’s our next mission?”
“The Full Moon Frolic is the next public event of the social season.”
“The Full Moon Frolic,” I echo.
“Another glamoured ball. And no, I won’t force Augie to take my place this time.”
I run a few calculations in my mind. “The full moon is…”
“Saturday.”
My birthday is the next day. Sunday. The day I turn nineteen and am released from my bargains. That means the night of the ball will be my last in the palace. A mixture of anxiety and excitement turns my stomach.
He leans in close, a hint of teasing in his tone. “Will you accompany me? As my lovely date?”
My heart flutters at the wordlovely, but I smother the feeling down, reminding myself he has no idea what I look like. Even if he’s deduced that I was unglamoured when we met at the New Moon Masquerade, I still wore a mask that covered the top half of my face. Besides, he didn’t seem to think I was lovely when we met in the alley.
“Do I even have a choice?” I ask.
“Of course not.”
We exchange a smile, but I’m surprised to find my heart sinking. I should be excited for another chance to attend a ball. This time, I won’t have to hide from anyone, as I’ll already be safe behind my glamour. But at the end of the night, it will all be over. I’ll be free.
Free.
I should be excited. Thrilled. And I am, truly. So why do I also feel a note of sorrow?
* * *
After stoppingto talk to a few more guests, servants, and residents, we make it back to the hallway that leads to my room. We’re still several feet from my door when Franco stops and turns to face me.
“I enjoyed today,” he says, “so much more than I ever would have thought.”
“Because I coerced you into socializing?”
He smiles but hesitates before answering. “Because you were honest. You managed to see me for who I am as well as who I could be. And, yes, talking to the humans on a personal level, well, it was…not bad.”
My cheeks warm. “I enjoyed today too.”
His eyes lock on mine, and he seems like he’s going to say anything. He steps closer.
My door flies open, and my stepsisters feign startled gasps. “Oh, Your Highnesses,” Imogen says as the two dip into curtsies. When they rise, Imogen’s eyes dart between me and Franco, watching us with keen interest. Our conversation from earlier returns to me, and I recall the way she not-so-subtly tried to determine how close me and the prince truly are.
This sends a vindictive boldness through me. Before I can consider what I’m doing, I step toward Franco, rise onto my toes, and plant a kiss on his cheek. It’s nothing more than a quick brush of my lips, but as soon as it’s done, my stomach bottoms out and turns over in a fluttery mess. My breaths come fast and shallow as his lips part with surprise. What did I just do? I stand back and study his face, but all I can focus on is that spot where my lips just were. My mouth tingles with the feeling of his warm skin. I drag my gaze to his and find his eyes are locked on my lips.
Breezes, what have I done?
A slow smile melts over his face. “What was that for?”
My chest heaves as I try to summon a rational answer. “For our audience,” I whisper.
