Page 14 of The Masked Princess

She’d felt the eyes of the crowd on them ever since first stepping onto the dance floor, but Soren apparently hadn’t noticed. He looked over her shoulder, then around the room, and his eyes widened ever so slightly at the attention they’d drawn.

“Perhaps the attention is from the lords and ladies of your father’s court who are excited to see their crown princess enjoying herself,” he said.

“Trust me, they’re more likely watching out of concern that the new eligible young bachelor will be the next to succumb to my curse and their daughters will be out a potential suitor.”

His arms around her stiffened ever so slightly, as if he wanted to pull her closer. “How do you do it? How do you tolerate their stares and their whispers?”

Annalise shrugged, and her grip on his hand tightened before she forced herself to relax. “They’re not wrong to be cautious. In some ways, I’m grateful they are because it means that I don’t have to worry as much about accidents happening. I couldn’t bear it if someone else was hurt because of me.”

“But what about you? Who will worry about you and take care of you?” His hand on her back shifted, pressing her closer to him, and despite her fears, she didn’t resist. His eyes drilled into hers, then dropped down to her mask. “Who will make sure that you aren’t hiding tears and grimaces behind that mask of yours?”

She broke their eye contact, instead focusing on their intertwined hands. “Such pretty words and sentiments are for women who aren’t cursed.” Her voice sounded much smaller than she wished.

With a soft flourish, the music ended. Soren let go of her, and Annalise’s gaze fell to the floor. But before she could curtsy and thank him for the dance, his hand brushed her chin, and she froze. In longer than she could remember, the contact, even with the gloves, was the first time someone had directly touched her. Gently, he tilted her head up, forcing her to look into his eyes.

“Make no mistake, Princess Annalise,” he whispered. “Cursed or not, you are just as deserving of pretty words and heartfelt sentiments as every other woman in this room. You must forgive me; I’m afraid I have been away from court for far too long if you think so poorly of yourself, but don’t fear. I will endeavor to remedy such things posthaste.”

CHAPTER 10

Annalise was so struck by Soren’s words and his nearness that she hadn’t even noticed him retake her hand. When he bowed before her and brushed his lips over her gloved hand, she feared her heart would stop beating.

“Captain Soren… I…”

He smiled as he straightened, moving her hand back to her side before letting go as if she were made of glass. “Thank you for the dance. I promise to call on you tomorrow after court and will be sure to have a selection of my finest stories to entertain you with. It was a pleasure speaking with you again, Princess Annalise.”

Annalise was halfway back to her harp when she felt a hand on her elbow. She turned to find Ambassador Selveg waiting to speak with her. When they made eye contact, he took a step back and bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness. I have not yet had the chance to make your acquaintance, but I am Selveg.”

“The ambassador from Rhinnea, yes, I recognize you from earlier today,” she said.

“I hope that our request did not surprise you too much; we had no intention of springing any news upon you or your people. In fact, we had assumed that your betrothal to King Nelan was widely known.”

“It was quite shocking, to be sure, but I have recovered from it. Thank you for your concern.”

Up close, the ambassador was not as intimidating as she’d originally expected. He was of average height and medium build, his wavy black hair pulled back by a silver pin. A small scar bisected his right eyebrow, adding a somewhat mysterious air to an otherwise average man.

He leaned closer. “I want you to know that the hostilities between our peoples would not extend to you, were you to marry into our kingdom. King Nelan has heard the reports of your grace, intelligence, and discernment, and is quite eager to meet you. We will welcome you with open arms.”

“You mean you would, if my father honors the betrothal, correct?” Unlike Soren’s eyes, which burned into hers with a warmth that made her head spin, Annalise had no problem maintaining eye contact with Selveg as they stood at the edge of the crowd.

“I have little doubt your father will refuse us, especially with the joyous news he shared tonight.”

“And what of your new king? You say he’s heard of my good qualities, but what of my curse? What use can a woman who cannot bear children be to a man like that?”

“We employ quite a few accomplished scholars. Perhaps your Doveans may have struggled to remove a curse, but I’d be very surprised if our healers or mages aren’t able to find a cure.”

It was only with supreme self-control that Annalise stopped herself from rolling her eyes.

Four of the self-professed greatest healers in Dovea and the surrounding kingdoms had already attempted to heal her, as did an assortment of mages, witches, and one notable gentleman from a distant land who called himself a wizard.

Some chanted incantations over her while she sat under the full moon, others prepared foul-smelling potions to drink, and the wizard had her perform a seven-step cleansing ritual followed by slapping her across the face with a long bundle of burning herbs while he chanted in a strange language.

All of them gambled for their heart’s desire and paid with their lives.

Just as Annalise realized that she had remained quiet for far too long and that Selveg was waiting for a response, Soren appeared at her side. “Your Highness, here is your drink, as requested. I apologize for the wait. One of the court ladies imbibed a bit too much and was making a scene at the refreshments table.”

She took the glass he offered her, grateful for the rescue. “Yes, thank you, Captain Soren. I am positively parched.” She turned to the Rhinnean ambassador and allowed her eyes to crinkle around the edges, even if she didn’t smile under her mask. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Ambassador Selveg. Please enjoy yourself. The night is still young.”

To his credit, Selveg knew when he’d been dismissed, and excused himself with a bow.