‘What are you feeling?’
She glanced at his sand-coloured uniform, then at the sword strapped to his side. ‘Like I’m forgetting something. Am I supposed to bring something to the ball?’
‘Just yourself.’
‘And where will you be?’
‘Around. Watching you from afar.’
Scarlen playfully nudged his arm as they turned a corner. ‘How boring.’ She glanced at the paintings of her ancestors lining the walls as she carried on with her journey. Their stern expressions had her wonder if they had enjoyed such events. At least it wasn’t all indoors. The warm air in the south brought most of the guests to the courtyards and gardens.
‘You’re to enter the ball through a side entrance,’ said Mitch. ‘That way, no one will see you slip into the crowd.’
She stopped and ran a finger over the bone-white banister at the top of some stairs. ‘Have you ever noticed how white everything is in the palace? White marble floors, cotton-white walls, white doors, white, white, white.’
Mitch grinned. ‘It helps bring out the colourful clothing and accessories.’ He rolled an arm towards her, adding a slight bow. ‘Besides, you know how hot it can get around here. White is cooling.’
‘Like snow.’ A flurry of snowflakes danced before her eyes, then disappeared, making her shiver. ‘It’s beautiful,’ she added softly.
‘What is?’
‘Snow.’ With a hand over her heart, she walked down the stairs, Mitch close behind, and a sudden rush of happiness filled her from top to toe, but she didn’t know why. Maybe the excitement of the ball was finally reaching her.
Mitch brought her to a door and told her to stand in the alcove on the other side for a while, then subtly step out of the shadow to mix with the guests in the courtyard.
Scarlen stood perfectly still in the hideout, thoughts of her mother and sister taking control. The unveiling was supposed to be a great day for her mother; she had spoken of the event manytimes over the years, and Lancen was always the most excited of them all when they were children.
Part of Scarlen broke in the alcove for her losses. All her father cared about was duty and power. She truly had no one.
A servant passed with a tray of drinks, so Scarlen took the opportunity to step forward to take a glass of the clear liquid and blend in with the guests, but once she had the tall glass in her hand, she stood stock-still, feeling so out of place and in need of support.
The evening air was muggy and not the best for covered faces. No doubt the masks were sticky on the skin for everyone, as Scarlen’s was already itching the life out of her.
‘For fuck’s sake,’ she mumbled, trying to adjust her mask.
‘Problem?’ came a deep voice, sounding familiar.
She glanced at the broad man wearing a black mask and matching shirt and trousers, who seemed to come out of nowhere, thinking him perhaps a guard in disguise. ‘It’s warm, isn’t it?’ Politeness was all she was willing to offer whoever was interrupting her nerves and heartache. Shehopedit was a guard and not one of the potential husbands, as she didn’t want to talk to any of the men eager for her hand. This one smelled nice, at least. Of what, she couldn’t be sure. She took a step forward, hoping he’d get the hint and go bother someone else, but all he did was enter the alcove, and now she could only see him in her peripheral vision, and she was curious to know what he was up to but didn’t want to show her interest, so she remained staring forward.
‘Do you like songs?’ he asked.
Is he talking to me?She didn’t want to assume, but unless someone else had snuck into the nook without her noticing, he must be. ‘Some,’ she replied. Perhaps he was one of the musicians.
‘I know a good one.’
She laughed to herself.Yep, definitely one of the musicians. Show-off.‘Is that so?’
‘Want to hear it?’
If he thought she was wandering off somewhere private with him, he was deluded, but she had to admire his smoothness, figuring some probably fell for such charm. ‘Let’s hear it right here then.’Ha! Let’s see what you say now.
What he had to say next came in the form of a spoken song. ‘Sweet baby girl, I know that you’re listening, as each sun sets in the sky, it’s you that I’m missing.’
Scarlen spun around to face silver eyes, his lyrics jolting something inside her, but Zana appeared, nudging her forward.
‘Lovely evening. Have you seen the gardens?’ Zana was putting on a high-pitched voice, then a few women came over, circling them, and Scarlen was ushered away with them, the alcove behind empty.
An array of beautiful flowers filled a large square, gaining many admirers complimenting the colourful arrangement as a young man began to play the flute.
