Sam shook his head. “It’s better you don’t know. It wasn’t their fault, Mina. You know that.”
“You and Conrad resisted the charm.”
“We had an advantage of knowing exactly what Powell had been up to, not just vague rumors.”
“And so Alan had to experience the people of Skorsa turning against him again. What happened after he broke the charm?”
“He closed up the forge and refused to speak to anyone. He only relented enough to allow Cole to deliver some food, but still wasn’t talking. When I left, Cole said he’d give Alan one more day before he refused to leave without having a real conversation.”
“Oh Alan,” I whispered, tears pricking my eyes. “Nothing ever goes right for you, does it?”
Sam wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Pushing you away was his choice, even though you are right for him.”
“Don’t blame him, Sam. Can you even imagine going through everything he has? He deserves understanding. And even if you can’t manage that, you can at least give him the courtesy of time.”
“I hate to say this, Mina, but time is not on your side. The ball is in three days.”
“I know. But it’s not like I’m expected to marry at midnight or anything. I still have a little more than half a year before my birthday.”
“But you are expected to announce a betrothal soon after the ball.”
“Then I’ll stall. Unless I talk to Alan and am told in no uncertain terms that he will never forgive me, I’ll keep stalling right up until my birthday, if that is what it takes.”
Thirty
Mina
???
The entertainments mymother had scheduled for the first day of festivities—acrobats, skits, and musical performances—went off without a hitch. I barely paid attention, wallowing in my own misery as everyone had fun around me. Luckily, Noel and Sam took it upon themselves to disguise my mood and run interference with my mother. Jacob attempted to distract me, but after hearing my story of what had happened with Alan, joined the others in providing me with a buffer.
The next day, I didn’t have to worry about anyone noticing my disposition during the scavenger hunt, for I remained in the palace. I hid in my room, hoping my mother wouldn’t realize that I wasn’t out in the city interacting with various groups. I probably needed to leave my sanctuary soon, though. People would be finishing the hunt and returning to the palace by now.
When I heard a knock on the door, I expected Mama to barge in and remind me of my duties. But when I opened the door, it was only a servant waiting for me. “The last of your particular guests has arrived, Your Highness. He awaits you in the green parlor.”
I swore my heart stopped before beating twice as fast. I thanked the servant, and didn’t care that he saw me racing down the hall. Imade it to the green parlor as quickly as heeled slippers and confining skirts allowed and threw open the door.
The surge of disappointment when I saw the black hair and too-tall frame was almost physical, the urge to double over strong. The servant must have been mistaken and this was one of the random invitees. There was still one who hadn’t made it to the palace.
Though he had been looking out the window when I opened the door, the man quickly turned around. He looked familiar. I knew I had never seen him before, but he reminded me of someone. If only I could place whom. He had a long, narrow face, and dark eyes that glittered with some unnamed emotion that made me want to take a step back.
“Your Highness,” he said with a bow.
The nasal voice was the clue I needed. Powell. This man was a younger, fitter version of Gerald Powell. A son or nephew, perhaps. Without the beard Powell favored, I could see the attractive line of a strong chin. Despite his resemblance to that loathed man, I couldn’t help but like him. He really was quite handsome.
The smile that had faltered when I realized Alan wasn’t here returned, stronger than before. I stepped into the room and held my hand out. “A pleasure to meet you, sir. Might I ask your name?”
I couldn’t remember the name of the last person Mama had invited, which made me feel terrible. I should have remembered his name.
He raised my outstretched hand to his lips. “Alan Smythson. And the pleasure is all mine, Your Highness.”
My smile faltered. How had he gotten Alan’s invitation?
The man didn’t release my hand, looking at me in such a way that sent a shiver through me, even as my skin grew warm. My worries dissolved. What did it matter how he had gotten the invitation? I was simply glad he was here. Still, I’d rather know his real name. He had no need to lie, now that he had been welcomed into the palace. “No, your true name.”
He frowned.
Scowling became him very well. Then he smoothed out his expression, and I wanted to laugh. Not because he hadn’t expected me to know he was lying. I simply wanted to laugh with him. I hadn’t felt this carefree since...
