Chapter 7 – Kian
Chapter Seven
KIAN
“Please, don’t make me attend this on my own,” I beg Alex as my valet, Giles, fixes my cravat.
“You expect me to miss watching you suffer through a miserable ball?” Alex quips from where he lounges in my dressing room.
“I wouldn’t blame you for leaving me hanging after . . . everything.”
He laughs. “I’m not that petty, my friend.”
“Good, good.” I grin.
“Plus, I’m dying to see the Astoria girl who’s gotten you all tied up in knots.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Me? Ridiculous? Uncalled for, Ki. Don’t even try to pretend you haven’t been thinking of her. I’ve seen you staring longingly into nothing.”
I snort and roll my eyes, trying to change the subject. “I still can’t believe our king is forcing me to get married this season.”
“All the more reason for me to check out Lady Raelyn and make sure she passes muster,” Alex says, bringing it right back to her as Giles finishes up and I dismiss him.
“I can’t risk her recognizing me.” I grunt my reply after double-checking to make sure my valet has left, even as my mind drifts back to the green-eyed beauty. Alex doesn’t know about our history, and while she didn’t show any signs of recognition that night, I need to be careful.
Alex laughs. “Weren’t you in a dark room wearing a mask? How could she?”
I shrug, reminding myself it’s okay to share details with him—though I’m hardly used to speaking freely. “It’s not as if I was fully hidden from her. She did practically sit on me.”
Alex chokes on his drink, and I pat him on the back.
“You didn’t tell me that!” he sputters.
“It didn’t seem necessary.”
“Necessary, my ass. I had no idea you got that close to her.”
“Did I mention she got close enough to cut me? And with my own blade?” I mutter. It was one of my favorites, and I miss the damn thing; it had perfect balance and was wickedly sharp.
Alex shakes his head. “Well, since you want to keep your distance, you wouldn’t mind if I took her for a turn around the dance floor?”
All the muscles in my body tense, but I try to shake it off. Of course I mind, but I really shouldn’t. I refuse to be hurt again.
“She doesn’t belong to me. Do whatever you want.” I hate myself for lying to him, but I’m fairly certain he’s only baiting me.
“Maybe I will.” He winks.
“I thought you were interested in Lady Erika,” I say as I grab my navy evening jacket.
“I guess I’ll have to wait and see which one catches my eye.”
My possessiveness over Lady Raelyn irritates me to no end. I want to forget and move on, get back to focusing on what matters most.
“Horses or carriage?” Alex asks.
I groan, palming my face. “I’d love nothing more than to get a good ride in, but—”
“I bet you would,” Alex retorts under his breath.
“Hey, I heard that,” I snap.
“If the shoe fits.”
Maybe that is what I need. My vigilante-ing, as Alex calls it, has kept me from seeking out any female companionship for quite a while.
“Father would disown me if I didn’t show up with all the pomp and circumstance. Honestly, I think he’s using my need to find a bride as an excuse not to attend Lord Astoria’s wedding celebration himself.”
“Didn’t they use to be fairly close?” Alex quirks a thick brow.
“Yes, but I get the impression things have been a little strained between them,” I confess.
Alex shrugs. “Well, I guess it’s up to us to make up for it then.”
I snort. “I have the feeling Lord Astoria will be quite disappointed.”
The lush, rolling hills of the countryside whisk by as our carriage rumbles down the wide road leading out of the city of Elsmont.
When we finally approach House Astoria, nestled in a valley that once boasted flourishing acres of vineyards and farmland, I’m reminded once again how much the estate has fallen into disrepair.
The hardship is evident despite the glowing torches and abundance of flowers and greenery that attempt to hide it.
Is this the cause of tension between our families?
Did Lord Astoria request help and my father denied it?
It wouldn’t surprise me, but at the same time, Lord Astoria seems far too prideful to ask.
Alex and I are ushered in through the manor’s front doors, the scent of lilies so overpowering that Alex sneezes.
“You think they have enough flowers?” he complains.
I wrinkle my nose, sidestepping to avoid squashing one of many small pumpkins beneath my feet. “Definitely feels like they’re compensating for something.”
We follow the steady flow of partygoers toward the ballroom’s entrance, where an announcer is shouting lords’ and ladies’ names before they enter.
As we approach, I shake my head firmly. No.
I will pay my respects to the newly bound Lord and Lady Astoria, but I don’t want to make a big deal out of my presence.
“I owe you one,” I say to the announcer as we sweep into the room without a fuss.
I snag a drink off a tray, and Alex rubs his hands together. “Divide and conquer?” he asks, his hazel eyes gleaming.
“If you insist. Make note of any ‘eligible’ ladies I need to check out.”
The sarcasm in my voice elicits a bright laugh out of Alex, and a few heads turn in our direction.
I give him a Thanks for that look before making my way toward the happy couple.
It feels somewhat frivolous to make such a big deal out of his second marriage—her third or fourth—but if this is how he wants to spend his newly acquired money, that’s up to him.
“Lord and Lady Astoria,” I say smoothly as I approach.
“Your Highness,” Lord Astoria replies, dipping his head in an insulting mockery of a bow.
“How wonderful of you to come tonight,” Lady Astoria croons. “Is your father here as well?” She looks behind me, as if expecting him to pop up out of nowhere.
Pompous ass that he is, he never arrives anywhere without the entire realm being made aware of it.
“He sends his regards,” I say diplomatically.
I don’t miss the twitch of annoyance that crosses Lord Astoria’s face at my response.
“I do hope he is in good health,” he replies.
“Yes, he is quite well.”
“Wonderful,” Lord Astoria says through gritted teeth.
“Perhaps we can arrange a visit in the near future,” Lady Astoria says demurely. “It’s been oh-so-long since I’ve had a chance to visit court.”
“I’ll let him know,” I reply before tossing back my drink. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind excusing me, I must find myself some dance partners.”
Lady Astoria beams and turns to her side, pulling at a young woman’s arm. I hadn’t even noticed her, I was so focused on paying my respects and getting out of there.
“Lady Erika would love to dance,” Lady Astoria announces, placing her hand on my arm in a way that makes me cringe.
She’s being quite forward, and I don’t like it.
Unfortunately, I don’t think my father would approve of me embarrassing his old friend’s daughter in a room filled with people, so I nod in agreement, even as I immediately dread the time I’ll spend with this woman.
It isn’t that she’s unattractive—her dark hair cascades down her back like a sheet of the deepest waters, her heart-shaped face pleasant enough to look at—but I will never see her as more than Lady Raelyn’s annoying little sister.
I lead her out to the dance floor, and she beams happily, gushing. “Your Highness, thank you so much for the honor.”
“It’s my pleasure,” I lie.
As we spin, I spy another woman with dark hair glaring straight at us.
Her beauty is harsh, the malice in her eyes taking away from it, but the similarities to the woman currently in my arms leaves no question.
Of course. Lady Chessa. I quickly look away, not wanting to give her any encouragement to try dancing with me as well.
Despite everything in me telling me it’s a terrible idea, I can’t help but search the rest of the room as we glide around the dance floor.
Where is the woman who haunts my dreams?
I briefly stiffen at the thought that Alex might have already gotten his hands on her, but no.
He’s my friend, and he’s watching me dance with an amused expression.
“You’re a wonderful dancer, Your Highness,” Lady Erika says.
“Thanks,” I mutter, really not wanting to chat.
“I am so looking forward to this season’s balls,” she chatters on.
I can’t say I am. Especially not with the sudden mandate to find myself a wife. I sigh.
“Are you all right, Your Highness?” she asks, biting her lip in what I’d guess she thinks is a seductive move.
It takes everything within me to hold back a snort. “Quite all right, Lady Erika.”
She lets out an awkward chuckle. “Oh good. I was afraid I might have stepped on your toes.”
I can’t stop the grin from forming, and she immediately blushes. Hells. I really don’t want to give her the wrong impression.
The song mercifully ends, and I give her a bow as she curtsies.
“Thank you for the dance, Lady Erika.”
I make my exit before she can respond and push through the throng of people to Alex’s side.
“Shit, Ki, you work fast,” he teases. “I told you Lady Erika was a looker.”
I roll my eyes. “She was quite literally thrust upon me.”
Alex chokes. “You can’t help yourself tonight, can you?”
I frown. “Really not trying here.”
“Riiiight,” Alex drawls before dropping his voice to a whisper. “Any sign of the reclusive Astoria—the woman who almost managed to best the Shadow?”
I stiffen, wishing for a moment that I could take back the knowledge I’d shared. “Be glad it’s loud in here or else we’d be having some serious words,” I bite out. “You can’t be making jokes about that.”
“Lighten up a little, Ki,” Alex replies, grabbing another drink off a passing waiter’s tray. “Anyway, back to the question at hand . . . have you seen her?”
“I’ve been here all of ten minutes and you expect me to have immediately sought her out after I told you it’s a bad idea?”
Alex hides a grin behind his drink. “Just want to make sure I get my chance to make an impression before you sweep her off her feet with your broody looks and grunts.”
“Shut up, Alex.”
But then I see her. Across the room. Unwittingly, I take a step toward her, admiring how the emerald dress matches her eyes and drapes over her figure perfectly.
The swirling gold detail draws my attention, and I can’t help but take in every glorious inch of her.
What in the hells is wrong with me? I step back.
Am I a glutton for punishment? I promised myself I’d stay away.
Her eyes meet mine from across the room and I hate the way my heart stutters in my chest. I’m in deep shit.