And Alora could still hear a voice curling through her mind, low and luring.
If darkness called… would you answer?
CHAPTER 10
Alora
Asecond knock sounded at her door. When Alora opened it, she found Caelum standing at the threshold. He wore his ceremonial uniform: white surcoat trimmed in Argyle’s colors, polished sword at his hip, silver pauldrons polished to a mirror shine, and a crimson sash marking his rank. The torchlight burnished his dark hair, and his eyes softened as they swept over her and the silver tiara glinting at her brow.
Caelum laid an arm gallantly across his chest and bowed. “I came to escort you to dinner, Princess.”
She smiled faintly. “How kind.”
He arched a playful brow at her dress. “You wore red tonight?”
Alora smiled slyly as she curtsied in a gown of deep scarlet she had decided to change into out of protest. The heavy skirts hid her feet now resting in her soft, leather slippers.
“I may have to go to this banquet, but I will do so my way.”
He chuckled and held out his arm. “Bold.”
She took his arm. “Lead the way, Captain.”
Her royal guards who had been safeguarding her door, fell into step behind them as they moved down the torchlit corridor, their footsteps hushed against the marble. Neither hurried. Their slow pace was a silent understanding to delay the inevitable.
“Should I be worried about tonight?” Alora asked.
Caelum exhaled as if it weighed on him. “You are to be introduced to King Thalion and his son … Prince Eldrik.”
“We’ve met,” Alora said coolly.
Caelum halted mid-stride. “When? Did he harm you?”
“In my mother’s workroom. And no, he did not.”
His jaw clenched harder, anger flashing as he scowled at her guards. “You should not have been alone.”
The men ducked their heads.
“It is not their fault I slipped away unseen,” Alora said as they continued. “And I can protect myself, Caelum. I survived well enough in the Midlands without protection.”
His mouth parted slightly, as if to say more but he fleetingly glanced at their company and continued. She read the protest in his eyes.
In the Midlands, she had been locked behind an enchanted border where no outside threat could reach her. This was different and they both knew it.
Alora’s fingers brushed the weight of the spindle tucked into a hidden lining in her gown. After her first meeting with Prince Eldrik, she was unwilling to sit defenseless again.
“Who else will attend?” Alora asked, adding with a touch of wryness, “Besides the guests of honor.”
Caelum’s expression eased. “The High Lords and Ladies of the Realm, their heirs, your father’s council and border wardens. Ambassadors from both sides. A high priest or two, and a few others of note.”
“A full table, then.”
“I hope you are prepared to play the gracious host.” He winked, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
They arrived in the main hall.
“Here I must leave you, princess,” Caelum said with a bow, brushing his lips across her hand. “I must join my father.”
