Chapter 20 Rose
ROSE
Ismoothed my gloved hands down the front of my emerald green dress before checking my crown one last time, along with the former Queen’s jewels, which hung around my neck. Everything was in place and I’d always enjoyed balls, so why was I so nervous?
A man with a deep, bellowing voice announced, “Her Majesty, Queen Rose.”
The double doors flew open in front of me.
I sucked in a breath and stepped through them into the ballroom while my long gown flowed behind me.
The entire room seemed to pause and turn toward me, and my heart raced knowing hundreds of eyes were appraising me and taking stock of their former enemy and new queen.
I searched the crowd, but I didn’t recognize anyone in front of me until my eyes landed on Raith across the room.
His tall, dark profile immediately drew me toward him, as did his commanding presence.
Even in the middle of a crowd he was the only one I saw.
It had been two days since I’d helped him to his room, and I was certain he’d been avoiding me all that time, though he did attend our nightly meals, at least for a few minutes.
A man moved in front of me, blocking my view of my husband.
A very handsome man, and from the arrogant smile on his face, he knew it.
His dark brown hair was perfectly tousled with one curl hanging over his blue eyes.
His broad shoulders filled out his maroon coat and tapered down to a narrow waist. Everything about him was confident and screamed of wealth and privilege.
“Your majesty, you’re even more beautiful than I’d heard.” He swept into a deep, graceful bow. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Malren, Raith’s cousin.”
Malren. I stood a little straighter at the name. Raith had warned me about him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” He flashed me a dazzling smile. “Might I have this dance?”
I glanced around us, but Raith was caught up in conversation with another nobleman and no one else was coming to my rescue.
I didn’t trust Malren, but I couldn’t refuse him a dance.
We were family now, after all. Not to mention he was next in line for the throne and a powerful nobleman in his own right.
I doubted Raith would dance with me anyway.
“That would be lovely,” I said, as I offered Malren my gloved hand.
He took it and swept me forward onto the dance floor, while people parted for us. His firm fingers clasped mine, while his other hand rested on my waist. The next song began, and we moved together in time to the music, our movements fluid and graceful.
“You’re a fine dancer,” Malren said. “Was dancing a pastime of yours in Talador?”
“We have our fair share of balls, yes.”
“I’m sure you were the belle of all of them.”
I laughed. “Hardly. I have five beautiful sisters, after all.”
“So I’ve heard, though I doubt any can compare to the woman in front of me now.” He gave me another charming smile. “How are you adjusting to life in Ilidan?”
“I like it so far, though I sometimes miss my home. I’m hoping I can visit my family again soon.”
“Of course. It’s natural for you to be homesick after leaving behind your old life so suddenly.” His hand slid from my waist to my lower back, pulling me closer against him. “Did you know your father and I are allies?”
My eyebrows darted up. “No, I was not aware.”
“We’ve negotiated some deals before, even during the war. Now that trade has resumed between the two kingdoms, I believe he and I can become even better allies.”
Something in his tone sent a chill up my spine. “I’m sure he would be interested in that.”
“I’m glad you think so.” His eyes studied my face and he smiled again. “In fact, there’s something I’d like to get your opinion on.”
“Is that so?” I tried to keep my voice friendly, even though everything he said made me more and more suspicious.
“It’s no secret that our king is failing Ilidan.
He’s tried his best to save this kingdom and made great progress when he married you, no doubt.
But the Shadow Lord is taking over our land and Raith cannot stop it.
The area around my holdings has been either abandoned, decimated, or taken by the darkness. We’re barely hanging on at this point.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said, and I truly was. “I hadn’t realized it had gotten so bad.”
“It gets worse every night. I shouldn’t even be here.” He shook his head, but I couldn’t tell if the sadness in his voice was genuine or not. “It’s become clear to me that the Shadow Lord has some vendetta against Raith, and he won’t stop until our king is dead.”
“And you’re second in line for the throne.” I tried to seem intrigued, while hiding the true horror I felt at his words.
“That’s true, although I assure you, I am only concerned about Ilidan’s future, not about winning the throne.
” Sun and Moon, he almost sounded sincere.
His head lowered, his lips brushing against the hair near my ear.
“But if something were to happen to Raith, I would welcome you as my queen. Gladly.”
“That is reassuring.” I gave him what I hoped was an alluring smile.
I had to keep him talking to find out more about his intentions, even if I could hardly stand another minute dancing in his arms. “I’m definitely intrigued.
Do you have something planned already? And is my father helping you with this? ”
“Not yet, but let’s just say it isn’t the first time we’ve taken out one of the royal family.” He gave me a slight nod, his eyes gleaming. “I think you know what I mean.”
I gasped, freezing in the middle of our dance. “The princess?”
“As I said, your father and I have worked together in the past with some success. I’d love it if you and I could be allies as well.” He gave me a cocky smile as his hand moved down the back of my dress, smoothing over my behind. “Or even more.”
Disgust burned inside me, and it took every ounce of my self-control not to pull away.
Somehow I had to pretend to go along with this so I could learn more, but the thought made me sick.
He was the reason Raith’s first wife was dead, and now he wanted to get rid of my husband too.
How could he ever think I’d agree to that?
Before I could reply, Raith appeared beside us and rested his hand on my arm. “Mind if I dance with my wife?” he asked, making every word sound like a dagger.
“Of course, cousin.” Malren gave him a sharp smile. “Although it’s a shame I can’t keep her for myself.”
Raith’s eyes narrowed. “I’m sure there are plenty of other ladies who’d be delighted to dance with you.”
“Ah, but none are as lovely as Queen Rose. We’ll speak again soon, I’m sure.” He slowly released me and flashed me a wink, before slipping into the crowd.
As soon as his cousin was gone, Raith clasped my hand tightly, yanking me against his chest. “What was that about?” he snapped.
I rested my hand on Raith’s shoulder and met his eyes, oddly pleased at his show of possessiveness. It had gotten him to dance with me, at least. “Your cousin asked me to dance. Should I have refused him?”
Raith’s fingers tightened on my waist in a way that made heat rush between my thighs. “I didn’t like the way he was looking at you. And he seemed to be holding you a bit closer than necessary.”
A soft laugh escaped me. “My dear husband, are you jealous?”
He whisked me across the dance floor with a frown. “Hardly. I simply don’t trust him.”
“Then trust me,” I said, sliding my hand to his neck.
“You have nothing to be jealous of, I promise.” I brought my lips close to his ear and whispered.
“Malren seems to think I might be a potential ally. I was trying to get as much information as possible about his schemes so that we could stop him.”
His fingers relaxed a little, but he still held me close. “What did you uncover?”
“Nothing I can discuss in the middle of a ball.” If I told Raith that Malren might have been involved in his wife’s murder, I could only imagine what he would do.
Better to tell him when Malren was out of the castle and Raith could rage in private.
“I’ll try to get more out of him throughout the evening.
In fact, it’d be better if we split up for the rest of the night. ”
“After this song,” Raith said, as he spun me around with expert grace.
Every eye in the room followed us, the other nobles watching us intently with expressions ranging from curiosity to disapproval.
I knew Raith might be dancing with me just to appease them, but I didn’t think so.
Not from the way he held me against his chest, like he wanted every man in the room to know I was his.
“So you do like dancing,” I said, unable to hide my smile. I was finally getting the dance I’d wanted during our wedding feast.
“With the right woman,” he grudgingly admitted. “It’s been many years since I’ve done it though.”
“I’m honored. You’re quite good at it, as well. Better than I expected.”
His jaw clenched. “Just because I choose not to dance doesn’t mean I don’t know how.”
The song finished and we slowly stepped back and bowed to each other, though I was sad to break away from Raith’s embrace. I longed to spend the entire night in his arms, preferably without all of our guests watching us. From the way his eyes smoldered at me, I thought he might want the same thing.
Eventually I remembered the others in the room. “You should introduce me to some of our guests.”
“I will, but first I have a surprise for you.”
I tilted my head. “A surprise?”