Stone of Hope

Chapter 19

My guards circle the hall, keeping to the shadows, and I nod for Miko and a few of my men to follow me. The half circle balcony on the second floor will be the perfect place to enter. It’s big enough to hold several of my men. I instruct the other guards to create a distraction at the main doors to mask any sounds we make as we approach, but I throw my arm up in alarm to halt the procession when I see one of the North’s Seekers climbing up the vined trellis to the balcony. Finding it odd, I move back to see why he’s climbing.

That’s when I see her.

She’s flawless. The moonlight brings out the play of lustrous colors on her dress. Who is she? She must be important to havesuch an opalescent colored dress. The pull I feel towards her is one of magic. Like I need to be near her. The wind catches her seemingly endless chocolate curls that cascade down her dress, but a mask hides her face.

I must see her face! Is this her?

She disappears for a moment, but reappears in the shadows on the side where the Seeker climbed up. I signal Miko to stay back as I make my way closer, surprised to see them embrace. She knows him! I watch them dance in the shadows, hidden from the rest of the festival, and long-dormant feelings stir within me. She can’t be with him; he’s only a Seeker. I fall back when I see him kiss her forehead and walk back the way he came.

He only kissed her forehead. Climbing the trellis just as he did, I hide in the shadows to get a closer look, signaling Miko to hold off the guards. I stand in the shadows and watch her gazing up at the moon. Up close, she’s even tinier than I thought. I take a step forward, eliciting a whisper-quiet sound from my shoes. Her hopeful eyes reach mine as she turns toward me in the shadows.

“Ash?” she whispers.

When I step out of the shadows her face falls, devastated that I’m not her Ash. With her mouth open and her eyes wide, I can tell I’ve frightened her. She moves quickly toward the open doors, back to the false safety of the assembled crowd.

I step in front of her, momentarily forgetting the purpose of our visit. Her startled stare climbs until she meets mine. My finger reaches underneath her chin and I press gently to close the distance. She stares into my eyes, diving into my soul. Bringing my hands around her head, I find the ribbon and start to undo the mask. My heart rate picks up in anticipation of the beauty that will be revealed.

Rapidly approaching footsteps cause me to let out a frustrated sigh. I must see her facebefore the night is over! I drop my hands and back away, blending back into the shadows and waiting to see who comes for her. A girl in a green dress emerges and escorts her back to their table. My eyes narrow and my heart stops as I watch Prince Timber walk up to greet her. He pulls the chair out for her as she gives him a bewildered smile, obviously shaken by our exchange. He greets her by name, but nothing else.

He has not claimed her, I note with glee.

As I survey the ballroom, I realize I have no other option. We must go through the front door. The royals are too close to this entrance, and she’s too close to the Prince to fight him for the stone.