“To the ball?” Leanna mused, walking in from a side corridor and meeting my stride. “Tonight will be the night, I just know it.”
My sister’s blue dress whooshed, and her heeled boots clacked against the stone floors. She’d had her hair placed in a style resembling a bird’s nest, on the very top of her head. It looked ridiculous, but I had never understood women’s fashion.
“Let’s hope it is, or you’ll be in charge of this place when he goes.” I frowned at the thought.
“Don’t threaten me with such horrors.” Leanna put a hand on her chest. “Rodrick signed up for no such thing and, quite frankly, neither did I.”
I kept my eyes focused on the route, a maze of corridors set back from the main one. It was just one more security measure to keep the old geezer safe.
“Don’t select one or two women this time, find a few—maybe a dozen. Give yourself the best chance to see if anything clicks.” Leanna put her hand on my shoulder and waved the guards back before whispering, “You might have mother’s magic, but you are Divine just as much as I am. We need only to find your mate.”
“Only,” I scoffed and turned the corner, nearly running straight into a woman wearing a large, broody gown.
“Get back!” Hunt pushed past me and unsheathed his sword in a breath. The tip of his blade pressed into the woman’s neck, drawing a bright red trickle.
My heart sank as I realized who she was. “Audryn.” Her name wasn’t a question, but a lyric for the most beautiful song. “Get off of her!” I grabbed Hunt by the shoulder and shoved him away, sending him stumbling back into the wall. Her skin had paled, likely plagued with shock from being within less than an inch of losing her life. Crimson stained herfingers as she inspected the evidence of what my guard had done to her.
Audryn’s stare met mine, and she quickly dipped into a bow, skirts threatening to tip her over. “Apologies, Your Highness.”
“Stand, please.” My words stumbled. “Why are you here?”
Her eyes darted to those around me and landed on mine. “Uhm … you invited me?”
She was absolutely stunning; her dress was an accessory to her natural beauty. It drew my entire attention away, and I’d forgotten what question I’d asked.
“He means, why are youhere?” My sister’s tone was filled with annoyance as she threw out a hand to our surroundings. “In the royal corridor? How did you even get here?”
“Oh, I …” Audryn fumbled with the skirts of her gown. “I must have gotten lost.”
Leanna stared, her eyes riddled with suspicion.
“I needed to, well,” Audryn said, hesitating and looking down at the ground, “I started my menstruation and needed to use the facilities.”
“Guess you’re bleeding from more than one hole now,” Hunt quipped, and looked around, waiting for others to laugh at his tasteless joke.
I whirled on him. “You’re dismissed to the ballroom. Make yourself scarce or I’ll do it for you.”
Fisher stood back and smirked in the young guard's direction. It wasn’t the first time I’d needed to scold Hunt for his inappropriate remarks, and he’d only been with me for two days. He might’ve been promoted for his loyalty, but he’d lost his manners somewhere along the way—or maybe he just never had them.
Fisher stepped forward, handing Audryn a handkerchief. “For your neck, Miss.”
“Thank you, Guard”—she hesitated, scanning the uniform—“Fisher. Thank you, Guard Fisher.”
I should’ve thought to offer her my handkerchief, yet I stood there looking like a fool, forcing my guard to offer basic care for her injury. Why had I continued to stumble around her? I didn’t even know her.
She dabbed at the wound. It wasn’t gaping, but it was unnecessary—Hunt could certainly use some work in discerning a threat. What was the woman going to do, kill me? She could barely walk in the enormous gown; she definitely wouldn't be able to run away in it after committing the crime.
“Were you able to find the products you needed?” I asked, hoping to stifle any undue humiliation she might’ve felt. “I can obtain some if you wish.”
“There’s no need,” Leanna interrupted. “I will get someone to retrieve the items for her.”
Audryn patted a small pouch. “I came prepared just in case, but thank you.” Her tone was softer than at the market. “I suppose I got turned around and should head this way instead?”
“I will—” I started.
“Yes,” Leanna chimed in, “that is the way. You may go on now. Prince Sutton will find you in the ballroom if he chooses.”
Audryn nodded, turned, and moved down the corridor. For a moment I imagined myself untying the strings of her corset, unwrapping the gift that lay hidden beneath. I didn’t need to choose a dozen women. There was only one I was interested in. Her.
