“Nothing?”Lara whispers into her phone. “Okay, well keep me posted. Uh-huh . . . is he okay?” The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention as I stay in the bathroom while Lara is in my bedroom. “What did the doctors say? Is he still coming? Okay, sounds good. Bye.”
I slip out of the bathroom in a pair of leggings and a long-sleeved shirt, ready to do some mild, and I mean mild, exercises with Lara. Just something to build my stamina.
“Who was that?” I ask, not even bothering to mind my own business.
“Oh, uh . . . Ottar,” she says.
“Uh-huh, and what were you talking about?” I fold my arms at my chest. “Anything to do with Keller?”
“Ottar hasn’t heard anything from him if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Even if he did, I don’t think I’d want to hear about it.” I nod at her. “What was the doctor comment? Is everything okay with Theo?” When she glances away, I know she’s about to give me some sort of made-up comment to benefit me, so I stop her before she can start. “Don’t lie to me.”
She sighs and says, “The stress of the wedding, Keller, all of that has been a little much on him. He’s on bedrest right now.”
“What?” I ask, standing taller. “What do you mean bedrest?”
“That’s all Ottar told me, and that’s why he won’t be at the party tomorrow. It will just be Katla.”
“Does she know?”
Lara nods her head. “Yes, she’s known for a while. They haven’t told you because they didn’t want to stress you out.”
“Wait.” I take a step forward. “Is he going to be okay? Like he just needs some rest, right?”
“I don’t know, Lilly. It might be more serious than that. I wasn’t supposed to say anything, but I also can’t stand here and lie to you either.”
“I appreciate that.” I twist my hands together, my mind racing. “So if he’s not doing well, do you think I should go back to Torskethorpe?”
“That’s up to you. Katla and Theo would never ask you to return, unless it was dire.”
“Is it dire?”
Lara shakes her head. “Just cause for concern at this point, but he’s working with the best doctors. We should know more soon.”
“Okay.” I lean against the doorway.
Silence falls between us, and I’m not sure either one of us knows what to do at this moment, because if something is seriously wrong with Theo, my role just became imminently more important.
* * *
Lara:Have a good time. Don’t think about our conversation from yesterday. After tonight, we’ll figure it out.
I stare down at her text just before I turn off my phone and slip it into my clutch.
“Are you ready?” Isabella asks, looping her arm through mine.
“I am but also a little nervous.” I will be honest. It took a while to feel used to someone other than Runa getting me dressed and ready for tonight, but Ida, the lady-in-waiting Pala gave me while I’ve been here, has been so lovely. Gentle. Not quite as pushy or chatty as Runa, but quiet and efficient. I couldnothave gotten ready for this ball tonight without her. So, whilst I’m nervous, I know Ilooklike a Torskethorpian princess.
“That’s to be expected. This is a new experience for you, but I promise, you’ll love it.”
The curtains to the grand ballroom part, and a man standing next to us announces our arrival. Since we’re both future queens, they had Isabella and me walk in together first.
The dance floor opens up as we walk forward, people moving aside to allow our entry. It feels like a scene out ofBridgerton, so regal and formal with a room decorated for royalty. Thousands of twinkle lights dangle from the ceiling while tall ice sculptures are dotted throughout the room. White trees from trunks to leaves scale the walls, casting shadows into the blue-lit walls from lights surrounding the floor perimeter. It feels like a winter fairyland in here, and for a moment, a weak moment, all I can think about is how fun it would have been to dance under these lights with Keller.
I wash that thought away quickly as Isabella holds on to me tightly, and we glide into the room.
I chose a light-blue formfitting gown with a high neckline and a dipped back that reaches the base of my shoulder blades. It’s something I know Keller would have loved, and I think one of the reasons I chose it, out of spite.God, why did he bail?
