Chapter 41 Sybil #2
“No, I just thought the servants were going to take me,” I answered, keeping my face blank. My heart pounded in my chest, and I willed it to slow. I couldn’t give him any hint of my plan tonight.
“I thought it would look better for the citizens of Volmire to see that you were on their side. We wouldn’t want a public uproar over your supposed affiliation with the rebellion.”
“No,” I mused, “we wouldn’t want that at all.”
Ambrose gave me a pointed look, and I fought the urge to meet it, forcing myself to keep looking forward. Ambrose abruptly stopped walking, his free hand gripping my arm hard to pull me close.
“I will not allow any problems tonight,” he hissed. “We have incredibly important guests visiting for this celebration. You will behave. Is that understood?”
I stared at his chest, biting my tongue hard enough to bleed. Ambrose snarled, his hand moving to my face, forcing me to look him in the eyes. The dark blue of his irises gleamed, full of menace and warning.
“I won’t say a fucking word,” I said through gritted teeth.
Ambrose held my gaze for a moment longer before letting me go to pull me toward the large double doors of the ballroom.
We stopped and waited as the two servants pushed the doors open, revealing the revelry inside.
Stepping into the room, my eyes widened, unable to hold back the amazement washing over me.
Candles, lanterns, and chandeliers lit the entire room, casting a warm glow.
The entire room was styled with white flowers, and silken drapes hung from the ceiling, tumbling down the walls.
Glamorous faeries were dancing in the middle of the room; all exquisitely dressed in splendid gowns and tailored outfits.
As soon as we entered, the faeries stopped dancing as everyone turned their eyes on us.
My face flushed at the attention, but Ambrose flashed his most charming smile, as if he wasn’t in the process of losing his mind.
All the faeries bowed, and Ambrose laughed, drinking in their devotion before telling them to continue the party.
I stayed quiet while Ambrose led us to Arianna, who was waiting for him along the wall.
Arianna sneered when we stopped in front of her, her eyes dipping to where my arm linked with Ambrose’s. Moving her gaze back to Ambrose, she gave him a pretty smile. “Would you like to dance with me, my king?”
Ambrose turned his head toward me, contemplating what he should do when Ivara came up, taking my hand and pulling me to her side. “I can watch her, Your Majesty.”
Ambrose’s nose curled. “Fine, but make sure she stays out of trouble, or it will be your head.”
Ivara gave him a feline smile and curtsied. “I would never allow such a thing to happen.”
I swallowed down my laugh as Ivara pulled me away, not waiting for Ambrose to answer. I waited until we were far enough away to lean my head closer toward hers. “Is everything ready to go?”
“Of course, Sybbie,” Ivara laughed, waving at a group of ladies as she slipped something into the pocket of my dress. “Though I have to say, the boys aren’t too happy with this plan of yours.”
“When are they ever happy?” I said, rolling my eyes. I scanned the crowd, looking for Samian. When I found him, I breathed out a sigh of relief. He wore a tailored black tunic with gold embroidery that showed off his lean, muscular frame.
“You look beautiful, my light,” Samian said through our bond.
“You don’t look half bad yourself.” I gave him a discreet smile, then looked toward Ivara as I felt her tense beside me.
Her eyes were narrowed at someone across the room.
Following her gaze, I found Zarina walking up to Samian.
She wore a simple white gown that shone like stars in the light.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, looking back at Ivara.
“Yes,” she murmured, though her voice was tight. “I forgot she was going to be here. Let’s go get a drink.”
We walked over to the refreshments, picking up a glass of cool lemonade when I felt an ominous presence behind me.
I turned carefully, keeping my expression carefully neutral.
A tall, lean male smiled down at me. He wore a white tunic trimmed with swirling gold patterns that nearly mirrored the white tattoos covering the right side of his face and neck, disappearing beneath his clothes.
His pale hair was short, with slightly curled edges, and his eyes shone a warm bronze.
“Lord Zephyros,” Ivara started, shock filling her gaze. “I did not realize you would be joining us tonight.”
“Nor did I,” he murmured, his eyes still lingering on me.
I swallowed nervously, and Ivara put a steady hand against my back. “This is Lady Sybil, Ambrose’s grand paladin. Sybil, this is Lord Zephyros. He is a seraphim that joined our court soon after the realms split.”
“It’s a pleasure, Lady Sybil,” Lord Zephyros grinned.
“However, you’ll have to excuse me; I cannot stay to talk.
I need to speak with Ambrose, but I’ll be sure to find you again.
” He bowed his head, and I suppressed a shiver at the sinful gleam in his gaze.
Something deep in my gut told me this male was dangerous and that I needed to tread carefully.
I cautiously watched him walk toward Ambrose when movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention. A male dressed too casually for the ball moved into the room, hiding behind the thick drapes.
“It’s time,” Samian said quickly. “Take Ivara and do what you need to do. Daelan should already be waiting for you.”
I sucked in a breath and nodded to Ivara.
When I glanced back in Samian’s direction, I caught him walking out of the ballroom with Zarina.
Ivara left first, allowing me to follow her.
Since I had been in the dungeon all week, I wasn’t able to plan how to get to Queen Cassia from the ballroom.
Time was of the essence, and we couldn’t waste it by going back to my room or the medical wing to get inside the passageways.
Samian had spent the last few days showing Daelan and Ivara all the openings and the routes we would need to take to find Cassia’s cell when the time came.
Walking out of the ballroom, I turned back, giving the celebration one last look as I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Ivara whispered my name, and I turned back, rushing to her side just as explosions and screams erupted around us.