Chapter 30 – Kian #2
I think I spot her and go to rise, but Colin clamps a hand down on my arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I thought I spotted someone,” I reply.
“Dinner is being served. You can wait.”
I sigh. “Fine.”
Being responsible all the time must be exhausting. I’m also not entirely sure why he is paying such close attention to me when he should be focusing on his new wife. I glance over at Princess Juliana, and she appears sad. Huh.
I shake it off and dive into the feast in front of me.
When we are finally dismissed for dancing and socializing, I go hunt for her.
My brother is dancing with Juliana, and most of the crowd is watching them glide across the floor.
I start to regret not approaching Lady Raelyn at dinner when I don’t see her anywhere.
The children have all been dismissed at this point in the evening, and I can’t help but worry that she left with them.
But Colin was right, if I got up and made a scene in the middle of dinner, Father would have never let me hear the end of it.
“Kian!” Dylan Havordshire, a lord’s son, calls out, pulling me aside before I crash into a waiter holding a tray filled with bubbly drinks. “Watch where you’re going, friend.”
“Shit. Thanks, Dylan.” I wipe my hand across my brow. “I think I might have had a little too much to drink tonight.”
Dylan rolls his eyes and laughs. “I thought you couldn’t stand the shite.”
“I was trying to be there for my brother,” I say. “We had shots before the ceremony.”
“That explains it.” He laughs, then frowns. “But wasn’t that hours ago?”
“He made me take shots at dinner too . . .”
Dylan chokes on another laugh. “You poor sucker.”
“Have you seen the Astorias?” I ask suddenly.
“Who?”
“You know, the Astorias. Remember that girl I told you about four years ago?”
“You really must be wasted if you think I’d remember a girl from four years ago,” Dylan teases.
“Just forget it,” I say and shove off from him, back on my hunt.
“Hey, sorry, Ki. I didn’t mean to offend . . .”
“It’s fine. She’s never at court, so it makes sense you wouldn’t know who I was talking about.”
“Sorry, but if I hear of her, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks.”
Within minutes, Dylan is distracted by another pretty girl and leaves me to continue my search alone. I try to remember the color of Lady Raelyn’s dress, but all I can think about is her eyes.
The ballroom is split down the middle by tall tanks of water, filled with colorful fish. I think I heard someone say it was in honor of the bride’s coastal kingdom of Tallinnia and their love of the sea.
Lady Raelyn is not on this side of the ballroom as far as I can tell. I wander the length of the tank, peeking through the glass to the other side when I catch a flash of auburn hair and pale skin out of the corner of my eye. Is it her? It’s hard to see through the fish and floating flora.
I duck to look beneath a cluster of fish, and my eyes meet vibrant green ones through the glass.
A smile curls her lips, and I give her a wave.
Now that I finally see her, my breath catches in my chest, and I’m frozen to the spot.
I lift my hand to the glass and press into it, almost as if I could touch her if I pushed hard enough.
She tilts her head and starts to walk toward the opening, and I follow, my steps quickening the closer we get to each other.
When we finally meet face-to-face, she drops into the deepest curtsy. “Your Highness!”
I grab her hand and pull her up. “Hi there, I’ve been looking for you,” I say almost breathlessly.
My eyes drink her in. She’s no longer the child I chased through the garden maze or the girl I argued with over puzzles, but a beautiful young woman whose eyes are filled with .
. . confusion? Does she not remember who I am again?
I mean, she obviously knows who I am . . . but does she remember me?
“Why were you looking for me?”
I smile, trying not to let my disappointment cloud my face. Clearly, I didn’t make the same impression on her that she did on me. “I just wanted to catch up with an old friend,” I say.
She frowns, looking as if she’s trying to figure out what I’m saying. “Have we met?”
I sigh but give her a smile. “Yes, we met when we were children,” I try to explain. “The twins had just been born, and then we met again a few years later . . .”
Her brow furrows, and she puts a hand to her forehead, almost as if it pains her, and shakes her head. “I’m so sorry, Your Highness. I do not recall that, but I really was quite ill as a child.”
I want to scream at her, No, you weren’t. You were fine. We played together! But I am starting to doubt my own memories. Do I somehow remember it differently than it was?
“I didn’t mean to upset you, Your Highness,” she says quickly, her eyes taking on a worried gleam. “I don’t remember a lot about my childhood. Perhaps I’ve just forgotten.”
I nod. “It’s quite all right, Lady Raelyn. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance now.” I give her a broad smile, hoping I haven’t completely ruined things between us.
She flushes a pretty shade of pink and looks around hesitantly. “Nice to meet you too, Prince Ki.”
I freeze. Maybe she does remember? Not many people call me that anymore, except my brother.
“Would you like to dance?” I ask, holding my hand out to her.
Her blush deepens. “I don’t know . . . I think Father wants me to retire with my siblings.”
“Just one dance?” I ask again, taking a step closer to her.
She glances around, as if looking for someone to tell her no, but when she doesn’t see anyone, she finally agrees. “Just one dance.”
I lead her to my side of the ballroom, and we sway to the music.
She fits perfectly in my arms, and I can’t quite explain the rush of feelings flowing through me.
There’s a connection between us despite the fact that I hardly know her .
. . I want to know her . . . and it’s not just because she’s exquisite.
My eyes drop to her lush pink lips, and I think about kissing her . . . I’m in trouble.
“Did you enjoy the binding ceremony?” I ask.
“It was fascinating,” she admits. “I always thought the disappearing ribbon was just a fanciful story.”
“Don’t you believe in the gods?” I ask, raising a brow.
“To a point . . .” she says. “They haven’t been seen or heard from in centuries or something, right?”
“That’s correct,” I admit.
“Is it not valid for me to wonder how much of what we’re taught is accurate or even still holds true anymore? What if the gods have moved on from our realm and no longer want to be involved?”
She might have a point there. “But doesn’t the binding ceremony prove there is still magic in our realm?” I prod. “If there’s still magic, the gods aren’t completely gone, right?”
She smiles, and my heart flips in my chest . . . She’s magic.
“Fine, I’ll give you that.” She grins. “I do like the idea of there being some magic, even if the gods are gone.”
I shake my head. “You’re very opinionated, aren’t you.”
“That didn’t sound like a question.”
“It wasn’t.”
She smiles again, and it lights up the entire room. “It is true. I’ve been told so many times.”
“Why don’t you ever come to court?” I ask breathlessly before spinning her out, then bringing her back in.
“I’m not old enough, silly,” she replies.
Hells. I almost forgot. An ache forms in my chest at the thought of not seeing her again for . . . years.
“In fact,” she continues, “it would probably be frowned upon that I’m out here dancing with you when I’m not of age yet . . .”
“I’m not of age either. Let them talk,” I whisper in her ear as I pull her in closer. Gods, I really want to kiss her.
“Ki! It doesn’t work like that, especially not for me,” she exclaims before whirling out of my reach. She looks apologetic and mouths the words “I’m sorry!” before disappearing into the crowd. I realize my hand is still outstretched, as if reaching for her.
What can I do? Take chase? Find her?
My hand drifts down to my side. No. She’s right. Being the center of gossip would only harm her reputation before she’s even old enough to have one. I’ll wait. It’s only a few more years. I only hope she’ll remember me next time.