I don’t take the time to ask questions. It’s all I can do to keep myself from sprinting to the doorway, but I’m moving so fast that I don’t see the massive body step out in front of me.
Eryk catches me before I hit him with full force. I’ve never been so grateful to see his stupid golden hair in my life. I don’t even mind that he’s touching me sans permission.
Still, he removes his hands quickly when he realizes it’s me. Maybe the uncivilized brute is learning.
I look over my shoulder to find there’s no one in the breezeway behind me. I could’ve sworn …
“Arina, you look. I mean … wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything other than your leathers or healer’s smock.” He stumbles over his words, and I’d be lying if it didn’t make me feel a little more confident. Thank the gods for Phillipa’s in with the local seamstress, I think as I smooth out the front of my dress, admiring it.
They had the mossy green gown in the back, growing cobwebs. It was the first dress they brought out for me to try on, and by some stroke of luck, it was a perfect fit.
I promised to pay Phillipa back for whatever she’d bartered away, but she refused. She even lied and said they wouldn’t take her coins. I’ll never know what I’ve done to deserve the blessing of her friendship in my life.
“You’re very kind. Thank you.” I beam at him, truly relieved to have run into a familiar face.
He holds his hand out for me, and my mind is so distracted that I reach for it without thinking.
Regret hits me like a boulder to the gut as he leads me into the banquet hall. Alarm bells blare in my head, as my intuition tells me we are walking into a trap. The banquet hall becomes a cage, and I am a wild creature itching to escape.
The tables have all been moved to the perimeter, allowing space for dancing in the center of the giant room, but not a soul is watching those on the dance floor.
Instead, their attention burns holes through my veil of conviction.
“Everyone’s staring,” I whisper to Eryk with a frustrated sing-song lilt.
He chuckles softly and leans down. “They’re staring because you are stunning.”
The tips of my ears go hot, and I’m about to refute the statement, but I’m saved by Phillipa as she slides into place before us with two glasses of ale, holding one out for me.
“Finally! I was beginning to think Demitra locked you in your room or something,” she jokes as she cuts between Eryk and me to pull me along toward her table.
I look back in apology to the captain, hoping he can tell I’m sincere. He just waves his hand in understanding.
Damn him. He’s not meant to be growing on me like this.
“So much for ‘I don’t want anyone thinking I slept my way into the guard,’ I guess,” Phil whisper-laughs.
“Shhh! He was only walking me in. He actually saved me from …” I search the room for the rebels. There’s no sign of them.
But Queen Daphne sits like a stoic goddess on a raised platform at the front of the room. She’s flanked by high-ranking members of the court, mostly made up of men. Her servants stand behind the table, bringing them different dishes and filling their cups when they empty.
I imagine running a kingdom is tiring work, but she is bright-eyed and smiling, and the energy moves from her into her subjects. She is a pillar of strength, and I do not know how she has stayed strong for so many years.
Then my eyes land on those molten, ale-colored orbs in the corner of the room, hiding in the shadows with the big male at his side.
Danger ripples from him. His dark expression is etched in the permanent lines on his face, almost as if all he knows is anger and disappointment.
The muscle in his stubble-lined jaw ticks, and I take that as my warning. It’s not safe to talk here, and I don’t really want to pull Phillipa into something that could potentially be deadly. I would never do that to her.
“Saved you from?” she drags out expectantly.
“From walking in all by myself,” I lie. “I was having a hard time working up the courage to come in at all.” I half smile and take a gulp of ale.
Phil shakes her head at me. “Well, in that case, I’m glad. I’ll be sure to reward the captain with some of your time later on, as promised,” she teases.
I nod absently, and have to stop myself from grabbing another glass of ale from a tray as it passes by.
My friend drags me from table to table, making connections everywhere she goes. Not a soul can deny her magnetizing energy, and she eats it up. I am too distracted to entertain conversations, so I just smile and nod as Phillipa mingles.
