The suit of armor is beautiful, but I can imagine him seething beneath that cold mask of indifference.
Lowri waves to me, excusing herself to go to the toilet. I smile and tell her that I’ll see her later. If I get the chance before I head home.
Carys is in the ballroom for all of ten seconds before she’s flocked by many attendees. People stand by to greet her, waiting their turn, bowing to her. Carys twirls for a gaggle of young women fawning over her dress. The skirts swish around her and it’s mesmerizing. The gold beads on her bodice catch the light and glimmer with her movement.
I’m filled with a sense of pride that almost makes my harrowing experience of being forced from my home worth it. I wish Osheen and Orla could see my handiwork. I wish I had a painting of this moment to hang on my wall back home. I hope I never forget the hard work that paid off.
The festivities proceed, and Carys dances with various suitors. Ellynne appears at my side, and I nearly fall over from the surprise.
“I feel like you’ve been standing in this very spot all night.”
She’s stunning in a red dress that hugs her curves, the color rivaling her hair. She’s chosen to leave it unbound, loose waves framing her face and cascading over her shoulders. Her makeup is far from subtle, but it suits her.
“I have,” I admit. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
“I think the word you’re looking for isravishing, sweetheart.”
This time I can’t bite back the laughter. “So, are you trying to impress anyone in particular or…?”
“Hmm, not so muchimpressastorment,” she says with a wicked gleam in her eyes. “He’s already mine. I just want to remind him of what he has.”
I giggle. “Who is he?”
“His name is Vaughn. He’s one of the royal healers.” She points out a man with dark, slightly thinning hair and a green suit. He isn’t particularly handsome, but Ellynne’s face says otherwise. Ican’t help but smile. Ellynne… in love? Unexpected, honestly, but incredibly heartwarming.
“Well, shouldn’t you go dance with him?”
She raises a brow and lowers her head, as though she’s whispering to me. “Will you be alright here?”
“Yes, of course.”
She smiles. “Sorry that your knight in shining armor is on duty tonight. Plenty of other victims though.”
Victims. I huff out a laugh. “Go to your beau.”
She grins at me and nods before walking off. Vaughn’s face lights up as though no other woman exists besides Ellynne. She greets him with an embrace and a tender kiss. My focus gravitates toward the dance floor again. Carys dances with a huge man with a braid of dark blond hair. She doesn’t appear as annoyed as I expected. Instead, she laughs freely at something he says.
Kilkenny’s never far from Carys, even as she moves about the dance floor. There are other knights scattered around the ballroom, though none are in such extravagant armor as his. I admire the armor of the other knights one by one, and when I turn back to Kilkenny, he’s watching me.
I must be mistaken, though. He wouldn’t dare to take his eyes off Carys, would he?
Intrigued, I take a few steps as if I’m heading toward the refreshments table, and his head swivels, following me.
My lips curve into a smile and his attention snaps back to Carys… who, to his surprise, has moved on to another part of the dance floor with her massive partner. Kilkenny hurries toward her, and I can’t hold back my laughter. It draws the attention of someone nearby.
No, not just someone. The man in the fancy robes.
He starts toward me, and my pulse quickens as I spot a pin over his heart with the emblem of Erleyan royalty. This must be the Handof the Queen who I have heard so much about. Gods, I hope I haven’t offended him by laughing.
“Good evening,” he says. “Nice to finally meet you in person, Miss Garrick.” His brown eyes regard me, and he offers a slow nod. “I’m Lord Iywan Maddock. My apologies for not going out of my way to introduce myself sooner. I take it you have enjoyed your stay at Paramount?”
“Good evening, Lord Iywan. I have, thank you.”
“How are you enjoying your first Feast?”
“It’s very exciting and everyone looks so lovely.”
He chuckles. “Everyone cleans up pretty well, I’d say.” There’s something accusatory in his gaze as he studies my attire. My skin prickles. “You must have made Her Highness quite content to earn that dress.”
