Fourteen
The following day was full of excitement as the ball that Thea had been preparing for had arrived. Even though I didn’t thrive on social events, I had been looking forward to it, if only to take my mind off my failed attempts at harnessing my magic.
When an unusually warm evening descended, it quickly became clear that Thea had disregarded Adrian’s request to keep the list of invitees small. Flocks of people continued to arrive at the manor well past the eight o’clock time indicated on the invitations.
Standing in the brightly lit foyer, I stifled a laugh as Adrian welcomed yet another guest to the ball.
When the lord gave Thea a pointed look, she flashed an innocent smile and grabbed two champagne flutes from a passing server.
She turned and handed one of them to me, a look of mischief twinkling in her eyes.
With her cherry-red hair twisted in an elaborate updo, she looked absolutely stunning in a daring crimson gown.
The neckline scooped low, and the shimmering fabric clung to her body, leaving little to the imagination.
While it was not to my taste, Thea was clearly comfortable in the revealing dress as she stood with confidence, flaunting her curves.
My dress was far more modest. The light-teal off-shoulder gown was cinched at the waist and flared at the hips, moving and flowing around me like water when I walked.
A string of medium-sized diamonds encircled my neck, gleaming in the bright glow of the chandelier.
I had left my hair down, letting Thea curl it before I had perched my gold tiara on top of my head.
“Let’s move to the ballroom,” Thea suggested, gesturing for me to lead the way. “There are some people I want you to meet.”
“Will your family and friends be in attendance? Or Gray’s or Tom’s?”
“Oh, no. We were born and raised here, but our families have since moved to different regions. They are scattered throughout the kingdom. And friends…we kind of lost them along the way. We still have each other, though.”
We passed by Tom on the way to the ballroom, and he paused mid-conversation with one of the guests when he noticed Thea.
I tilted my head to the side, quickly studying his sharp features as I walked by.
Thea was the only person Tom tolerated besides Adrian, and the way he behaved toward them was vastly different.
The adviser was always serious and uptight around the lord, but with Thea, he was a lot more relaxed and, dare I say it, easy-going.
Before, I had attributed that behavior to Thea’s uncanny ability to break through anyone’s walls—even the high and impenetrable ones that Tom had.
But seeing how he was looking at her now, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to it.
Thea was oblivious to Tom’s reaction to her, chatting excitedly as we entered the fanciful ballroom.
The large open space tastefully decorated for the occasion was teeming with people.
Thea introduced some of them to me as we mingled, enjoying drinks and light refreshments.
She stayed with me throughout the evening while Adrian and Tom socialized with the guests.
When the ball was ending, Thea left my side to help Killian coordinate the clean-up efforts.
Taking a sip of bubbly champagne, I scanned the room, looking for Adrian.
We hadn’t spoken all night because he had been constantly surrounded by people.
I didn’t doubt that some of them saw the event as an opportunity to approach him about matters of the region.
I hoped that he had been able to enjoy himself this evening, and that it hadn’t felt more like work than pleasure.
Even now, when my gaze landed on his tall frame, he was in conversation with one of the local merchants.
Seeing how I wouldn’t get a chance to speak with him, I decided to use the moment of solitude to enjoy the warmer weather.
I set my champagne down and walked out of the ballroom through the double doors that led into the gardens.
A gentle breeze kissed my skin and stirred my hair.
I didn’t get far before I stopped and lifted my gaze to the star-studded sky.
Smiling to myself, I inhaled the night air heavy with the smell of upcoming rain.
Given the circumstances, I was in much better spirits than when I had arrived at the manor a month ago.
Being away from the capital, where everything reminded me of Gideon and his betrayal, had been helping to heal my broken heart.
Sometimes, I went an entire day without a single thought about what had transpired.
Those days were rare, but increasing in their frequency, and that gave me hope.
My smile grew as I thought about something else that gave me hope or, rather, someone else.
As if I had conjured him with my mind, Adrian walked out of the ballroom.
He looked dashing in black-tie attire, and I let my gaze sweep over his broad shoulders before trailing down his chest to his tapered waist. The soft glow of the stars sluicing over his features made him look otherworldly and beautiful.
His gaze cast down to the ground, he rubbed his forehead and scowled.
“Are you all right?” I asked to make my presence known.
His face lit up when his gaze fell on me. His scowl smoothed out, and a brilliant smile replaced it.
“Yes, though I must admit I’ve never been too keen on crowds or parties,” he said as he came closer.
“Me neither.”
“Yet we’re both in positions where we can’t avoid either of those things. Though, as a princess, you have it worse than me.”
“At least I’ll never be a queen.” I sighed with relief.
Amusement danced in his eyes at my comment. “You’ve never desired to be one?”
“Stars, no! I’d fail miserably in that position.” I laughed out loud.
“I disagree.” He chuckled as he gently brushed a tendril of hair out of my face. His fingertips lingered on my cheekbone, and I had to fight the urge to turn my face into his touch. “I think that you would make an outstanding queen. Because you care about your people.”
The corners of my mouth turned down. I did care about my people, and I was failing them. “My people need me now, and I can’t help them. I don’t understand why my magic is resisting. Have I waited too long to tap into my powers? Is it too late?”
Adrian pressed his palm fully to my cheek as his gaze softened. “It’s not too late. I promise you’ll find a way to awaken your magic.”
“You can’t make such a promise.”
“I believe I just did. Do you trust me?”
“I do.” The answer came without hesitation. It took me by surprise.
He smiled. “Good. Will you dance with me?”
I smiled back as the sense of hopelessness I had experienced seconds ago alleviated.
Adrian’s hand was still on my face, and he slowly glided his fingertips down my cheek as if he didn’t want to let go. When he lowered his hand, a pleasant tingling sensation lingered on my skin.
The lord and I walked back inside the ballroom to join the other dancing couples.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he said as we faced each other on the dance floor. He lifted our joined hands and placed his other hand on my waist. “As I’ve said before, beauty doesn’t have to be loud to be exquisite.”
“Thank you,” I breathed, extremely aware that only a few inches separated us. When a new set of slow instrumental music commenced, he effortlessly guided us into a dance. “You’re an excellent dancer.”
“Thank you. Though if you must know, I don’t usually dance.”
“Thank you for making an exception for me,” I teased with a soft smile.
“I’m afraid there was no choice. I couldn’t resist.” Like two weeks ago in his study, the words seemed to have escaped him unintentionally, but the look of shock on his face was fleeting.
Intent filled his gaze as we stopped moving.
A moment passed. Another. The intensity of his stare was like a physical caress.
We were in a room full of people, but my sole focus was on the man in front of me.
My gaze dipped to his lips and lingered.
His lashes lowered as he leaned in. I lifted my chin slightly, preparing to meet him halfway.
The kiss never happened. Adrian froze as his gaze darted behind me. Shock splashed across his features. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Tom and Thea had stopped their dance and were looking in the same direction.
“What is she doing here?” Thea muttered under her breath.
Curiosity getting the best of me, I turned around and followed her gaze to a beautiful young woman wandering around the ballroom.
She was tall and thin, with cascades of chocolate-brown hair that framed her round face.
Her moon-eyed gaze was searching as it glided over the guests.
When it landed on Adrian, she set off toward where he and I were standing.
I looked at the lord, but he didn’t meet my questioning gaze.
Without saying a word, he brushed past me and strode over to the mystery woman, who smiled hesitantly when he approached.
He said something to her as he placed his hand on the middle of her back and then led her out of the ballroom. Jealousy reared its head.
“Who is she?” I asked Thea.
“Gray’s former fiancée.” When I opened my mouth to ask more questions, she gave a curt shake of her head to cut me off. “It’s not my story to tell. You’ll have to ask Gray.”
The lord returned to the ballroom after a short while, alone.
I tried to get his attention, but he immediately became preoccupied with bidding farewells to the guests trickling out of the manor.
When the ball ended, he promptly left the foyer and headed in the direction of the dining room.
After a brief stop at the half bath to freshen up, I followed after him.
He wasn’t in the dining room when I walked in, but Tom and Thea were, having late night coffee.
“Do you know where Adrian is?” I asked them.