“It’s not. You must think I’m exactly likethem.” Her voice was full of contempt as she gestured towards the ladies who were still standing within ear shot. “I do hope we can get together soon. Although, from what I’ve been hearing, your afternoons are usually busy.”
I met her gaze once again to find a playful smile dancing on her lips and a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “How was your tour of the city, by the way?”
My brows knitted together. “How did you—”
Before I could finish my sentence, we were interrupted by a man wearing his mask on his head. He might have been attractive were it not for the ruddy complexion and bleary eyes that indicated he had long been indulging in his fair share of ale. His sun-worn skin and graying hair gave him an aged appearance, when, in reality, he might have only been in his mid-forties.
“Come, wife! I wish to dance with the most beautiful woman in the room,” he slurred, taking Livia’s arm and twirling her, then tucking her tightly into his body.
She playfully smacked his arm and laughed. “Don’t be such a beast around my new friend!”
Friend.I wasn’t sure what to make of that. All my life, many had tried to get close to me purely to elevate their own status, but I heard the whispers of what they said behind my back: Half-breed with a crown. Now that I appeared to be nothing more than a common-born mortal, what could she possibly want from me?
“My apologies.” Lord Hywell bowed to me. “I am Lord Hywell. To whom do I owe the pleasure?” His high-born accent and impeccable manners were somewhat undermined by the slur in his speech and the slight wobble in his stance.
“This is Alara Veradis, savior of Princess Amalie,” Livia answered for me.
“Well, Alara Veradis, savior of Princess Amalie, I do hope it won’t be too much of an inconvenience if I take my wife for a spin around the dance floor,” he said with a loving, if not slightly cross-eyed, look at Livia.
I wasn’t thrilled at the idea of being left alone, lurking in a dark corner like some kind of friendless octopus, but I also wasn’t about to beg them to keep me company. That would be pathetic. And, arguably, far worse than being lonely. “Not at all. Please, go ahead. It was a pleasure to meet you, Lord Hywell.”
“We’ll speak again soon,” Livia promised, laughing as her husband led her away through the crowd towards the dance floor.
Not long after they left, I was startled by a low voice behind me. “Does the most captivating woman at the ball not dance? Curious.”
I turned and found myself face-to-face with Tarben, dressedin teal and wearing a silver filigree mask. It was not garnished in crystals or diamonds, but it was unmistakably the male twin to my butterfly.
I took a slow sip of my wine, then spoke. “What’s curious is that the prince of Solvardunn promised me a dance but has failed to materialize.”
“He sounds like a fool. If I were him, I would have spent the entire evening watching the door, awaiting your arrival.”
“Perhaps he got distracted by the many other amusements on offer.” I gestured to the room.
“Or maybe he’s been taking his time carefully selecting a flower befitting of the divine butterfly in his midst.” With that, he handed me a single aster from behind his back. “I found you first.” The low purr of his voice stirred something deep within me. Something that sent my pulse racing.
I swallowed, trying to regain my composure. “It’s beautiful, where did you find it?” The great hall was saturated with flowers, but none of them were asters.
He winked at me. “I can’t reveal all my secrets, now can I?”
I shook my head. “You’re certainly full of surprises.”
“Only the best kinds.”
I rolled my eyes. “Andsomodest.”
“It’s another one of my many attributes.” He shot me a roguish grin which stirred that feeling again. This time I recognized it for what it was—desire. There was no denying that I was physically attracted to him, but this feeling made me want to act on it. I blamed it on the fact that it had been too long since someone had warmed my bed and it was clouding my judgment. I needed to regain my composure.
“This sounds like quite the list; what else would you like to brag about? Aside from your modesty.”
“I’m an excellent dancer, and it’s not bragging if it’s true.” He shrugged. “In fact, I would relish the opportunity to demonstrate firsthand how very true it is.” He held out his hand to me.
I was about to accept when a figure appeared behind Tarben, throwing an arm across his shoulders.
“Trust you to bring a token to the ball,” he mocked. I would recognize that brash voice anywhere. Magnus. Instead of wearing a lion mask like I was expecting, he wore the face of a wolf. “What is that? A flower?” he asked, half-laughing.
“Hello Magnus. I see your disguise hasn’t helped with your manners. A pity,” I said lightly, as if it were a joke.
“Alara.” He gave me a grin befitting of his mask. “I didn’t recognize your pretty face with that mask covering it. That’s the real pity.”
