Alfrikr subtly nudged my arm, and I started, not realizing I’d been caught up in staring at them from the entrance. I forced my feet to move, and a waiter quickly rushed up to me with a glass of some sparkling, light blue drink.
I thanked them with a nod, and they shot me a surprised, but grateful look in return. I realized my misstep immediately; nobles didn’t thank servants for doing their jobs. I felt eyes on me, but held my chin up high and began to make a slow circle of the room.
“Lady Jacinth.” I turned, finding, to my relief, Faiza was striding towards me. Her turquoise hair was pulled back into a complex updo, with a few strands left in the back to hang in long curls. Her dress was a beautiful light blue, like spun candy, with a lace overlay dotted with diamonds throughout.
“Lady Faiza.” I greeted her with a smile, and she linked her arm with mine, falling into step with me immediately.
“I was a bit worried about traversing the court on my own,” she admitted, biting her lip slightly. “Father told me we were encouraged to mingle. He said even if I don’t win, I could meet someone who’d suit.”
“And are you keeping your eyes peeled for someone in particular?” I eyed her, and she flushed lightly.
“Maybe,” she whispered, eyes looking anywhere but at me.
I laughed lightly, finally getting her to meet my eye. I shook my head at her, “You have nothing to worry about with me, I promise.”
She relaxed a bit at the reminder, and she smiled shyly before it slowly shifted into a sad frown. “Father would never allow me to marry someone like him, unfortunately.”
“Who?” I asked, my brow rising. “And why not?”
“Brokk,” she admitted, brown cheeks blushing prettily. “He’s the son of an Earl, like myself, but he’s from Ruby and father?—”
She cut off immediately, looking mortified as her other hand came up to cover her mouth. “Oh, Veritx. I’m so sorry, Jacinth, I truly meant no offense! I just?—”
“Faiza!” I snapped, cutting off her babble before she went any further. She looked so embarrassed, and a bit scared, like she’d ruined any potential friendship between us already.If she only knew.
“I promise I’m not upset.” I chuckled, unable to contain my amusement. “Your father is probably being cautious, and I can’t blame him when it comes to his daughter’s future.”
She relaxed instantly, seeming satisfied. After a moment, she added, “Brokk isn’t like his father. That’s why he came here to serve as a guard. His older brother is just like him, sadly, and they both made Brokk miserable.”
“So you two know each other well then?” I teased, making her skin darken further.
“I spent a summer here at court a few years ago,” she confessed, trying to hide a fond smile. “Az and I have been friends for much of our lives, but Brokk had been new to Diamond then. We spent time together, exploring the city and palace, or sitting out in the gardens.”
She trailed off dreamily, and I wondered if there was anything I could do?—
No.
What I should be doing is seeing how this could helpme. Faiza seemed determined for us to be friends, and Brokk was from Ruby, for all he had left years ago. Maybe the two could help me with my own plans.
I wasn’t here to make friends or play matchmaker. I didn’t have the luxury of it, much as I may have wished it were different. ButErodite, those long-forgotten childish wishes seemed determined to rise once more.Thisis what I had once expected my life to be, and the loss of it choked me for a moment as the grief overwhelmed me.
“Oh, there he is,” she whispered, clutching at my arm. Turquoise eyes found mine, and her nerves made that deep-seated instinct rise again.
“Go talk to him.” I urged her, a smile growing.
“I can’t.” She shook her head. “It wouldn’t be right for me to approach him while supposedly competing for the king’s affections,” she muttered lowly, and I tried to stifle my laugh.
“Let’s see if we can get the king’s attention then,” I told her mischievously, and her eyes widened. I began to steer us toward where he stood, and Faiza shook her head frantically.
“Lord Brokk,” I called as we approached, and fiery, orange-red eyes met mine before quickly skipping over to Faiza and widening briefly.
He turned to us fully, and I took him in. His short orange-red hair was swept to the side, similar to the king’s, except Brokk’s hair was merely cropped short on the sides instead. He wore a black jacket over his doublet, with gold sewn into the large lapels, making it shine under the many lights bobbing through the air. Golden chains crossed down the middle, and the chain at his neck held a single ruby within it, the one and only nod to his actual court, outside the sword on his belt, which contained a large ruby on the pommel.
“Lady Jacinth, Lady Faiza.” He nodded to us both, an amused smile quirking his lips. His eyes skipped back to his charge, the back of Lady Safira’s cobalt hair all I could see of her, before turning back to us.
“Lady Faiza was just telling me about the summer she spent here, and when we spied you, I figured it was only polite to say hello. Especially with us being from the same court.”
“Of course,” he said, lips turning down briefly as if the mere mention of Ruby Court soured his mood. Good to know, certainly, but not why I was here.
