Everyone in attendance dipped in a courtly bow.
“And presenting our guest of honor, the King and Queen of Hilos.”
Awed murmurs passed through the crowd as Cassiel and Dyna entered the room with their personal guards. Guests once again bowed. The music commenced, and pairs took to the dance floor.
Cassiel had arrived dressed in an elegant black waistcoat. Luxurious gold filigree adorned shoulders and cuffs, matching his vest. But he keptcrossing his arms and uncrossing them, shifting on his feet. He eyed the doors as if he wished to escape the ballroom immediately.
Raiden surfaced from the crowd, dressed in a fine green coat. He approached Dyna and crossed his arm over his chest with a bow. “Could I request the next dance? If you are not otherwise engaged.”
Zev tensed, bracing for Cassiel’s reaction. But he stared straight ahead as if he didn’t care or didn’t hear. A flex in his jaw was the only sign he did.
Dyna paused for a moment, maybe expecting he would say something, too. When he didn’t, she took Raiden’s hand.
The young lord pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. That drew Cassiel’s gaze to Raiden’s, and it burned like a forge.
“I can’t stop staring,” Keena whispered to Zev. “I think they are trying to kill each other with their eyes.”
Cassiel probably could, but he stood by as Raiden led Dyna to the dance floor. Zev was impressed he could show some restraint after all. Cassiel remained by the doors, staring blankly at nothing. It was the same look he had last night. As though he were far away and lost in thought.
Or merely lost.
It’s easy to shroud ourselves in lies while hiding the truth we ignore inside.
“Come try the food, Zev!” Keena tugged on his sleeve. He followed her to join the others.
Queen Ossenia retreated with the young prince as King Leif came down the steps and sat at the grand dining table. It had many open chairs reserved for them, but Zev lingered by the serving tables set up with wine and ale. Von kept to himself, drinking in a corner and eating whatever Keena offered him on a plate to try. Lucenna pointedly ignored everyone else.
“Tavin?” Zev asked Klyde as he poured himself a drink.
“I had the lad stay behind. I can’t account for what may happen tonight, and I prefer he stays out of trouble.”
“He wasn’t happy about that, was he?”
“Livid.”
Zev chuckled. That boy was certainly curious and had a habit of wandering.
“Hungry?” Keena brought him a small plate with a roll of bread. The top glistened with butter and a sprinkling of seeds. He took a bite, finding it stuffed with savory meat and mint.
“What about me, shimmer bug?” Klyde asked her.
Keena stuck up her nose. “I only feed my favorites, and you’re not a favorite.”
The mercenary clutched his chest. “You wound me.”
It really did wound him when Keena flew off to bring Von something else to eat. Zev hid a grin at Klyde’s pout. He wondered if she enjoyed feeding them because her stomach was too small to try all the delicious food.
“How long do you suppose we should entertain this incredibly dull affair?” Lucenna huffed, crossing her arms.
“For as long as needed without insulting the king,” Cassiel replied tersely as he joined them at the table. He clearly didn’t want to be here.
With an aggravated sigh, he grabbed a goblet of wine. Possibly out of habit to hold something since his kind didn’t drink. Then again, he did have his fill of mead in Corron.
“Planning to get drunk?” Zev asked him.
Cassiel’s silver eyes sharpened as he watched Dyna dance with Raiden. “Perhaps I should. It may help me endure the rest of tonight.”
Zev exchanged a look with Klyde, and they braced themselves for another altercation. The moment Cassiel entered the ballroom, he had cared for nothing else but the beauty in the green grown. The golden chandeliers cast Dyna in a soft glow as she swayed on the dancefloor … in the arms of another.
