Chapter 36 – Kian
Chapter Thirty-Six
KIAN
What is this feeling? Giddiness? Why am I giddy at the thought of seeing her again?
At least, I assume I’ll see her again . .
. It’s been four long years. Four years of wondering what she’s been up to, what she enjoys now .
. . Will there still be that spark between us, or have I built her up in my mind in a way she could never live up to?
With her strange supposed affliction to the sun, I don’t expect her at any of the daytime events, but perhaps tonight she’ll be at the first ball of the season hosted by Lord and Lady Havordshire.
Dylan elbows me in the ribs, and I blow out a breath of air.
“Why’d you do that?” I grumble and barely duck out of the way before he comes at me with his sword.
“You’re not paying attention, Ki,” he teases. “Are we getting our workout in or not?”
I spin and swipe at his lower legs, and he jumps just in time.
“You’re getting better at this. Have you been training with Master Waylen?” I ask.
“Someone’s gotta keep you on your toes.”
I laugh. “We all know I can kick your ass if I want to.”
Dylan pouts. “Hey, let me have this one, okay?”
I shrug. “Sure.” Before he can react, I kick his long legs out from underneath him, and he lands on the training mat with a resounding thud.
“Damn, Ki. You really are an ass.”
“And yet we’re still friends.”
“Maybe I should rethink that,” Dylan groans.
I reach down and help him to his feet, patting his back. “You’re definitely improving. I will give you that.”
“Are you coming to our ball tonight?” Dylan asks, changing the subject.
I shrug halfheartedly. The last thing I want is for Dylan to rib me for pining over a girl for the last decade. “I might show up.”
Dylan gives me a knowing look. “That’s right! I almost forgot. The Astoria girl might be there?”
“Shut up.”
A stupid grin lights up his face, and he gets in my space. “Do you think she’ll remember you this time?”
I push him away and frown. “Gods only know . . . I guess I’ll have to see how memorable I am.”
Dylan takes a playful swing at me that I easily bat off. “What if I gave you a black eye? Surely that would make you more memorable,” he jokes.
“And Father would probably beat me for allowing it to happen.” I grimace.
“What has you so hung up on her anyhow?”
Blowing out a breath, I stare at my feet.
“I’m not sure how to explain it, but I’ve always been drawn to her.
She’s pretty, yes, but every time I’ve seen her, I’ve learned something new.
She’s daring, intelligent, curious, and there’s a kindness to her.
She treats everyone with respect, even the people serving in her home. I like that she’s easy to talk to.”
“Clearly, you’re smitten,” Dylan says with a grin. “Even if she has forgotten you though, I’m sure we can get into some trouble tonight. There will be plenty of fresh young women for you to practice on.”
I shake my head but can’t stop the smile from stretching my face. He’s right. Even if she isn’t there, or Luna forbid, wants nothing to do with me, there is sure to be someone who would want the attention of a prince, right?
I’m no saint. Dylan and I have developed somewhat of a reputation these past years. But every girl I’ve held in my arms has only made me think of one I’ve never had . . . might never have.
The royal carriage pulls up to the large country manor, and I hop out, excitement running through my veins.
A vibrant symphony is carried in on the breeze, and I make my way toward the party that is already in full swing.
I’m fashionably late as usual. Wanting to avoid the herald, I sneak around to a side entrance and jump in with another crowd of attendees, who are all dressed to impress.
Damn, I forgot this was a masquerade. Everywhere I look, masks are on display.
I stick to the dimly lit corridors and finally spot a discarded black one on a table next to a brightly feathered one. The smack of flesh hitting flesh has me raising a brow. Swiping the black mask off the table, I don’t really feel bad. I’m fairly certain they won’t miss it.
I stride into the ballroom, the music so loud, I can hardly hear myself think.
My eyes scan the crowd, hoping for a glimpse of her.
If it weren’t for these damn masks, it might be easier.
With every glimpse of reddish-brown hair, my heart skips in my chest, but it’s never her. She’s nowhere to be found.
Needing some fresh air and quiet, I grab a drink off a tray and make my way to the gardens. Fairy lights are strung up all over the courtyard, giving it an ethereal feel. A few couples walk around, quietly chatting and flirting as if there’s no tomorrow.
My eyes are drawn to the fireflies lighting up the night sky near the pond, and I stroll over to get a better look.
A dark-haired female in a shimmering gold dress stands with her back to me, and I try to make noise with my feet so as to not startle the poor girl with my approach.
“A beautiful evening, is it not?” I remark.
Despite my attempts, the girl jumps and turns to look at me. This time, I think my heart does stop as I’m met with beautiful green eyes behind a mask of gold.
I can’t stop the smile from overtaking my face as I give her a small bow and reach out for her hand. “Lady Raelyn, how lovely to see you again.”
She allows me to take her hand, and I press a soft kiss to it, feeling her pulse quicken beneath my fingers.
“I apologize,” she says, “have we met?”
My heart sinks in my chest. Again? What in Luna’s name is going on with this girl? Am I truly that forgettable?
I let go of her hand and straighten. “Prince Kian.”
A slight flush stains her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Your Highness. I should have recognized you.”
Should have because I’m the prince or should have because she remembers me from four years ago or the many years before that?
“That’s quite all right,” I try to placate her. “It is quite dark out here.”
“I apologize, Your Highness. I don’t leave my manor very often. I can’t even recall the last time I was at court with my family.”
I frown. How could she have forgotten a royal wedding? Even if she’d forgotten me, surely a wedding would have been memorable.
“Please, don’t worry about it,” I say. “Isn’t your father close to the king?”
She nods demurely. “Yes, but he doesn’t ever bring me with him when he visits.”
“What a shame,” I say. “You’re quite lovely.”
Idiot. Why did I say that?
She looks around as if she wants to escape, and I squeeze my eyes shut. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to come on so strong.”
Wringing her hands, she lets out an awkward chuckle.
Trying to ease her back into more comfortable conversation, I ask, “What brings you out to the gardens? Was the music too loud?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t get out much, as I mentioned . . . but the gardens here are very soothing. It’s a nice change from home.”
The scent of roses blows by on a gentle breeze, and she closes her eyes, inhaling deeply.
“The Havordshire family does have such a beautiful garden,” I reply.
She smiles at me, and I think my heart stops.
I clear my throat. “So, um, if you don’t get out much, what do you like to do for fun?”
She bites her lip and takes a step back, lost in thought. “Well, I spend a lot of time in my library,” she admits. “I’m quite good at puzzles and needlepoint.”
“Sounds riveting.”
She scoffs. “You don’t have to lie.”
“I’m not,” I say sincerely. “If it’s something you enjoy, what could be boring about it?”
She rolls her eyes but smiles at me, clutching her skirts in a nervous manner. “I wish I could do more things outdoors, but it’s difficult for me. I have quite the reaction to the sun.”
“That sounds horrible,” I say. “So you only come out at night?”
She nods. “Even then, Father doesn’t like for me to be out much. He worries it could worsen my affliction.”
“You seem to be doing just fine,” I reply.
She shrugs. “He couldn’t forbid me from coming to the first ball of the season.” She twirls with an almost childlike quality. “How else am I to find a husband?”
At those words, a pang of jealousy runs through me, which is silly. I have no desire to get married any time soon, but for her? Maybe I would . . . The idea of being shackled to someone for a lifetime is overwhelming.
“And have you found any prospects?” My voice deepens unintentionally.
She pulls out her fan and waves it in front of her face in a coy manner. “I’ve danced with a few young lords, but only one has really caught my attention.”
Does she mean me? I’m almost afraid to hope.
“Would you like to dance with me?” I ask, holding my breath for her answer.
She laughs. “Out here?”
“Out here would be perfect,” I reply.
I empty my drink, put my glass down in the grass, and approach. Her eyes shimmer in the moonlight, and my mind can’t help but drift to the last time we danced and how she left me alone on the dance floor. Shaking the memory away, I gently grasp her hand and pull her closer.
The lyrical strains of music barely reach us, but I lead her in the simple one-two-three steps of the waltz. Her hand barely reaches my shoulder, and I relish the feel of her in my arms as we dance around the small pond, the fireflies lighting up all around us.
She radiates delight as we dance, and moonlight bounces off her pale cheeks when she lifts her face to gaze at the endless stars that light up the night sky. My eyes catch on her full red lips, and I wonder not for the first time what it would be like to taste her.
“You dance beautifully.” I speak in her ear.
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
“Well, I have trained for this my entire life,” I joke.
Her laughter lights up the night. I could never grow tired of it.
“How would you feel if I wanted to call on you this season?” I ask, almost afraid of her answer.
Her eyes dart up to mine. “Really? You’d want to call on me?”
I look around playfully. “What, do you see someone else?”
She gently swats at my shoulder. “I just find it hard to believe that a prince would have any interest in courting me.”
I frown. “But why? I’m greatly enjoying your company.”
“Surely you could find someone better to call on, someone who doesn’t need to spend her days locked up inside.”
“What if that doesn’t bother me?” I ask.
She hesitates, as if she doesn’t quite believe me. “I don’t know . . . It might be too much.”
“It would be an honor, Lady Raelyn.”
“I suppose I can’t say no to a prince.”
I grin broadly. “Well, then consider me one of your prospects.”
She flushes oh-so-prettily, and it takes all my self-control not to draw her even closer to me.
“Father will be thrilled that I have not one but two potential callers.”
Two?
“Raelyn, darling, I’ve been looking all over for you.” A familiar voice makes my blood run cold.
Raelyn’s face lights up, and she breaks away from my hold. “Dylan!” she cries. “I was waiting for you. What took you so long to find me?”
I squeeze my eyes shut as betrayal burns like acid through my veins.
“Are you friends with Prince Kian?” she asks him, her tone full of excitement and innocence.
Finally turning around to face them, Dylan smirks at me as he places a heavy hand on my shoulder. “Oh we go way back.”
I want to punch that smarmy grin right off his face. He knew. He. Knew. How could he?
Lady Raelyn grips his arm comfortably as she looks up at him. “Lord Havordshire has business dealings with my father, and I’ve seen him quite a few times this year.”
“How lovely,” I grit out. “Dylan never mentioned you.”
A frown creases her forehead as she looks from me to him, but then she shakes it off. “I hope this won’t be any trouble . . . if both of you come calling.”
“May the best man win,” Dylan says, putting a possessive arm around Raelyn.