A third knock, this one more urgent, is loud enough to rattle the wall.
I only need to recall the last door that wasn’t answered quickly enough to find myself snatching this one open.
On the other side, Rally stands with a fist raised and ready for more knocking.
“My apologies, Your Highness.” He drops into a hasty bow. Behind him, Ty does the same. “We were told you were ready.”
“No apology is needed,” I say, equal parts relieved and disappointed not to see the king. “I am ready. Will His Majesty not be escorting me this evening?” My eyes sweep over the brothers’ formal wear.
“I’m afraid not,” Rally says. “He does apologize that he could not meet you here.”
He offers an arm, and I summon the most gracious smile I can muster. “I’m sure it’s been an eventful day for him. I would be most grateful for your escort.” I take his arm, and he shuts the door behind us.
“I know I’m a poor substitute,” he says, “but at least you don’t have to walk with Ty.”
His brother responds with yet another crude gesture from what I begin to think is an endless repository.
***
We near the banquet hall right as night is falling. The first stars are emerging, and truthfully, I’d rather run outside the city and see them than face what I’m about to walk into.
Nonsense, I tell myself as we approach the golden light within and the rising swell of voices.You’ve been in front of plenty of crowds. True, none of them were as large as this is likely to be, and none of them consisted of dragons, but…
I run out of consolations rather quickly.
“I hope you’ll excuse my forwardness Your Highness,” Rally says as the pair of guards blocking the entrance step aside, “but might I offer a word of advice?”
My pulse quickens as I take in the crowd within. There arehundredshere. Any second and they’ll spot us. “Of course.” Ty stands beside me, his expression sober.
“In truth, the advice is from my wife. She’s also human.”
I glance at him in surprise. “Then her words will be even more welcome.”
“She would say that dragons and men are not so different, but when it comes to women, they’re no different at all.”
Ty, eyes twinkling with mischief, knocks one fist against a raised finger on the other hand.
“They’re fools,” Rally interprets.
I smile at the pair of them. “I would like to meet your wife.”
“She would like that as well.”
“Until then, please give her my thanks.”
Rally inclines his head and ushers me into the room.
Like a spell, the entire hall falls utterly silent. Every eye turns our way, and I fight not to buckle under the weight of their scrutiny.
I am a princess of Vasna, I tell myself, taking strength from the gown woven by hands that love me.
I lift my chin and observe the room in a casual way, as if I see such opulence every day. Clusters of sumptuous settees are arranged in half-moon shapes near the walls, and at the center of each, a brazier table, the coals within glowing softly, warms the glistening dishes on top.
The room’s middle remains clear, and servants pass to and fro with heavy-laden trays. Or they would, if they weren’t also stopped and staring.
As if by a silent command, they stand aside, clearing a path to the hall’s far end where, seated alone on a raised dais, the Dragon King waits.
When his eyes meet mine, I could swear my heart stops.
