A Dance Of Twilight: (A Fae Dark Fantasy Romance Stand-Alone )

Chapter 7

By sunrise, I’d only managed a few hours of rest, as sleep only took me at the point of exhaustion. But when Kathlyn came to wake me, I shooed her away, shouting and throwing my cushion at her, demanding she return later. I did not wish to have an early wakeup call and would rather miss breakfast. My absence would go unnoticed.

“But, your highness, the lords will be arriving today.” Her voice filled with worry as she picked up the cushion from the floor.

“And if I do not get some sleep, I will look like a haggard old woman. Leave me. I will call when I am ready.”

She didn’t argue with me then, as she told the rest of my maids to leave and shut the door behind her. They had already opened the curtains, and I begrudgingly peeled myself out from under the warm covers to quickly shut them.

Darkness surrounded my room, and for a moment I stood there in terror. Would he show up again now that the darkness is back? Quickly, opening them only slightly to allow some light in, I rushed back to bed and fell asleep, or at least attempted to.

“Where is she?!” Shouted a voice that invaded my dreams.

I wasn’t sure when I managed to fall asleep. But the sudden cold as my blanket was ripped off woke me up in shock. Opening my eyes, my mother stood over me with a red face and her arms crossed.

“Princesses do not get to sleep in when there are guests to welcome.”

“Princesses will sleep in as my body and mind require it,” I said sharply.

I pull the covers back up, only to have them pulled back down again. I could see the small vein on my mother’s forehead begin to pulse as her anger grew to its boiling point. I was in no mood to argue and yet, that’s all I seemed to be doing.

“Mother, please leave me. I will come down when I am ready!”

“I will do no such thing,” she snapped.

Clapping her hands, her own lady’s maids took to almost pulling me out of bed. As my feet touched the stone floor, I wanted to cry. Being forced to smile, look pretty, and pretend that I would make a good wife was not what I wanted to do today.

“My girls will see to it you are dressed correctly, and I will not leave until I deem you perfect.”

She put both her hands on her hips as her maids forcefully handled me.

“Kathlyn, fetch some tea and something for my lazy lump of a daughter to eat. We must work miracles for her to be ready to secure a match.”

As two of the ladies drew me a bath, the other undressed me. They practically threw me into the water. Still slightly cold, I took calming breaths to curb my shock. No one should be handled this way. Clearly my mother was punishing me for something.

After being washed quite forcefully and almost too intimately for my own liking, I was shoved into a tight corset and a royal blue dress with white trim. Corsets were meant to be comfortable, but mine was not placed correctly, so it only caused me pain. My hair was half pinned up and curled a little while it was still damp.

Mother inspected me in the mirror and nodded as she looked. A small silver tiara was then placed on my head to show my station. Shortly after, I was surrounded by not only my mother’s lady’s maids, but my own as I was escorted to the dining hall to greet our guests.

“Bet you wished I stole you away now,” his voice said in my head.

I came to a complete stop in the middle of the portrait corridor and my knees began to shake. All the lady’s maids stopped as well.

“What?” I said out loud.

“What now?” Mother turned around slightly, a scowl across her face. I lowered my eyes quickly.

“Apologies, Mother. I thought I heard something.”

I remained stunned as we continued heading towards the hall. I wondered again if it was my imagination speaking to me. I was starting to think I was losing my mind. Or the lack of sleep was starting to get to me.

“Apologies for making your knees so weak, especially when I’d not attempted to. I will try to be less frightening next time,” he purred through my mind.

“There will be no next time,” I snapped silently.

I didn’t mean to respond. I wanted to ignore his voice but he spoke with that velvet-like tongue, my mind suddenly flashed the image of him pressed up against me with his hand tightly on my throat.

“Just be a good girl, and I will return to you soon.”

The smallest part of me didn”t want him to return. The bigger part, the girl inside me, the one that was begging for adventure, she wanted to see what else he would do. Especially what he would do with those hands.

“You are not welcome,” I thought with some force behind my voice.

“You say that now, but I can feel you, every emotion, every craving. I know what lies deep within you and you, my sweet, dutiful princess. I feel you longing for me.”

“I long for you to leave me alone.”

I could hear that laughter again in the back of my mind, and I wondered where he was. Was he here? Watching my every move as I made my way towards the staircase.

“You will wish for me to take you away. Just wait and see.”

Finally, there was silence when I did not answer him. I was inexperienced with men. It wasn”t part of my duty to know the ins and outs of a man. I had read enough romance novels to know that some enjoyed teasing their women and making them happy. I wasn’t sure if that was what my shadow man wished, but an uncontrollable urge to know what he meant kept my mind from shutting off.

“Be on your best behaviour now, Ornella.”

Mother stopped dead in front of me before we entered the dining hall and waved the maids away.

“Smile. Laugh at their pathetic jokes, and be polite,” I replied dryly.

She took hold of my hand and squeezed it a little. I wasn’t sure if she was trying to be comforting or perhaps giving me a warning to behave. Either way, I was not prepared for what I would see when I entered that room.

I hoped I’d see a familiar face. Perhaps Lord Cole or even a lord I had grown up with. Maybe some of the daughters had joined them. Nerves kept my feet moving, and if it wasn’t for my mother practically dragging me into the room, I would have stayed firmly outside.

Pleasantries and making conversation about the weather were two of the things I hated the most. Mother kept a close eye on me as I pretended to listen to one lord while he discussed his love for investing in gold and how he didn’t make it a habit to befriend those ‘below him’.

Rolling my eyes and trying to smile was proving difficult. Any other day, I may not have made it plain as day on my face that I wasn’t interested, but Lord Cole was standing next to Norok as they laughed and chatted with my father.

Part of me wanted to ask him questions. Questions that involved a certain shadow man. But then again, I really didn’t want to come across as the crazy person in the room.

We were surrounded by many different lords. Along with either their siblings or guardians. Uncle Dorian watched intently as he sat with my mother. Both of whom were clearly planning which one I’d be married off to.

I was grateful once our head of staff announced lunch would be served in the smaller reception room today. I was hopeful that Talia would come and join us. That way I could talk to her about my ‘dream’, and also find a way to distract myself from looking at Lord Cole.

Entering the dining hall, my father had hired one of the city”s piano players, who filled the room with soothing music. They played a motif in F major. I made a mental note to learn it, as the song was beautiful.

Taking my usual seat, my mother coughed and shook her head as she pointed towards a seat further down the table. Clearly, I was to sit at the centre of the table, so all eyes were continuing to be on me.

Sighing as I sat down and a napkin was laid across my lap, my one companion took the right seat, and another took the left.

“Well, hello, your highness. Lovely to finally get a chance to speak to you.”

Lord Cole.

A blush filled my cheeks as my mood suddenly lifted. I was hoping he and I would get a chance to talk, even if I did have to try to stay on the topic of marriage and life at court.

“Good afternoon, my lord. It was a surprise to see you here when I arrived.”

“I hope it is a nice surprise.” He winked at me as he laid his napkin on his lap.

Taking a sip of my drink, I watched him from the corner of my eye as he waved over a footman and uttered something under his breath. Soon enough, we settled down to eat. A mixture of prepared meats, vegetables, and bread was a delightful change to some of the lunches we had.

Lord Cole sat quietly, and I was forced to make an idle chit chat with the lord who sat on the left of me. I had already forgotten his name as my eyes kept drifting back towards Lord Cole while he chatted with another lord.

“Princess Ornella would like to thank each and every one of you for coming here today,” Mother announced and stood from her seat, smiling warmly at our guests as the room fell silent. “As a thank you, she will play one of her wonderful songs once dinner has commenced.”

“I will?” I asked, and my mother shot me a look that could stop even the dead ferryman in his tracks. I quickly added, “Yes, of course. Silly of me to have forgotten, I have just been so caught up in all the wonderful conversations this afternoon.”

Mother sat back down, and we continued with our lunch as desserts of pastries, fresh creamed cakes, and donuts were placed on the table as the rest of the dishes were cleared.

“I didn’t know you could play.”

Lord Cole leaned in towards me, his dashing smile sending a little blush to my cheeks. He wore a beautiful dark blue suit with a white ruffled shirt, and his hair tied loosely back.

“You’d be surprised what instruments all of us royals can play.”

“I am quite fond of the trumpet,” said the lord on the other side of me.

“The trumpet? Oh, that noisy thing. What other instruments do you play, your highness?” Lord Cole asked, brushing off the other lord’s comment.

“The trumpet can be a wonderful instrument, too,” I commented, giving the lord a sweet smile before turning back towards Lord Cole.

“I don’t want to brag, but I can play a few.” Lowering my eyes, I could feel my mother watching my every move.

“Please do,” exclaimed Lord Cole, “I myself can play the violin.”

“That’s wonderful. But if you insist, I can also play the harp, the violin, and the cello.”

All royal learning commanded that you must learn an instrument from a young age. I took to loving the harp, the violin, and the piano the most. My governess at the time decided I should learn all three, as she said that I had a great ear for music.

The only reason I learned the cello was simply because my mother hated the noise it made, and at the time I wanted to irritate her as much as I could. It wasn’t a skill I boasted about anymore. I only ever played when the need was there or I was demanded to play, like today.

“The harp, the violin, the piano and the cello! My, my, well now, you continue to surprise me, princess,” he said, his voice sounded more playful this time.

He gave me a wink and plopped a few grapes into his mouth. The Lord next to me became silent and turned away to talk to the companion on his other side, for which I was grateful. I enjoyed Lord Cole’s company so much more.

“So, Lord Cole, am I under the impression that you are also here to try and win my hand?”

“Oh, is that what this is about? Your brother invited me to keep him company,” he paused, lowering his voice a little, and leaned in towards me, “But, if I were here for that reason, would that please you?”

My heart danced a little in my chest as his words sank in. Would I be pleased? He was very handsome and so far, had given a great first impression. However, we barely knew one another, and I ideally wanted to know my soon-to-be husband better before we were forced to marry.

I didn’t want to discourage him or give him the wrong message, as it did please me that he was here. And it pleased me to think that maybe he was here for my hand and not just as a friend to Norok.

“It does please me that you are here, my lord.”

“Please, call me Cole.”

His very voice sent shivers down my spine, and I hated how easily I was overcome, simply by a man’s voice, with the way they dressed, or how they acted. It infuriated me, as sometimes I wished I was like the other ladies of the court. The ones who knew a man’s touch, what a kiss was like, or how to flirt so easily so I could get anything I wanted.

“I will attempt to.” I smiled, finishing my drink.

Finally, lunch was over, and we headed to the drawing room, where the larger piano could be found. Mother guided me to it, and I wasn’t allowed to object or refuse. She whispered in my ear how it was a good way to show my talents to my future husband.

Soon all eyes were on me as everyone waited, watching as I settled myself. It wasn’t often that I played for a crowd. Sometimes it would be for myself, my tutor, or my family.

Sitting on the edge of the bench, I sat up straight and relaxed my shoulders. Taking in a deep breath, I felt the music begin to flow out of me. The ivory keys and I were one. This was second nature to me, and soon the world around me melted away.

Playing soft notes to start, I began a darker tune that I wouldn’t normally play in company, but it was what my heart chose to play. The room clapped lightly as I finished one song and slowly moved into the next.

A cheerier tune that reminded me of sunshine on a lake. I imagined swans drifting across the ripples, and then soon raindrops would fall from the sky, dancing against the lake.

Once I was finished, I smiled softly and stood bowing a little while the room again clapped. Mother looked seemingly pleased, and as I caught the eye of Lord Cole, she followed my stare and was soon making her way towards me.

“You must stay away from Lord Cole,” she whispered in my ear, more urgently than I expected.

“What? Why?”

Stepping out from the bench, she pulled me aside by my forearm and lowered her voice while everyone began to chat amongst themselves. No one seemed to notice our exchange.

“He is not the one for you.”

“Then why is he here?”

“Your brother asked for permission to invite him, and your father granted it, but please Ornella, stay away from him.”

“Are you going to tell me why?”

“For once in your life, just do as you are told,” she demanded harshly.

She let go of me and went back into the group, searching for my father and finding him shortly after, leaving me to question what she meant.

He was only here for the festival. Perhaps it was Norok who had invited him to the city and not my father? I wasn’t too sure, as I only recalled the small details. Or was it his father who had been invited? Clasping my hands together in front of me, I had to compose myself and go back out there, smile and look pretty.

I continued to count down the hours of the evening and attempted to avoid Lord Cole as best as I possibly could. To which I was sure he noticed. Speaking to any of the other gentlemen in the room aside from him. I didn’t like the feeling of shoving him aside, but with my mother refusing to take her eyes off me, I knew I wouldn’t be able to speak to him in front of her.

Perhaps we could meet in secret, and I could ask him why I was to stay away. Maybe he was locked in some scandal, and as a princess, he wouldn’t be up to my station.

Once lunch was over, I was glad of the fresh air as I walked the grounds of my home. Sweet-smelling blossoms and roses fluttered through the air. No one seemed to notice I had left once more wine was poured and singing started. Only my mother excused me, expressing that this was no place for a princess.

I found Talia happily sitting on one of the benches, fanning herself as she flicked through what looked to be a gossip newspaper of some kind. Sitting next to her, I felt my body relax instantly as my shoulders dropped.

“How’d it go?” she asked, never taking her eyes off the pages.

“As best as it could, I will find out tomorrow if Mother is pleased.”

Leaning my head to rest on her shoulder, she shifted slightly to lift herself up. Our height only differed slightly.

“I saw that Lord Cole never took his eyes off you. I snuck a peek while you were playing.”

“Mother has demanded I stay away from him.”

“Well, Mother does know these men best. But then again, isn’t Lord Cole new to court?”

I nodded in agreement and waited to see where this conversation was going. If anyone knew anything about anyone in the court, it would be Talia. She had eyes everywhere—spies who reported back with every whisper and every ounce of gossip to her. She knew everything.

“He’s staying at the Travellers” Rest within the city. Has no siblings and is here on an errand for his father, who was not called away, but on his sick bed. I heard Uncle Dorian and Father talking about him yesterday morning after Norok asked permission for him to attend,” she paused, closing her newspaper and shifting herself to look at me as I lifted my head up. “Father thinks he’s a good candidate for you. Mother and Dorian do not agree, however. I have yet to find out why, but don’t you worry sis, I will find out eventually.”

“Oh, I know you will,” I said, smirking at her.