The Harvest Ball #2
“I feel,” he said, his voice shaking slightly.
“I feel as if I am holding you back, that this situation hurts you, which is the last thing I desire. Karigan, I love you, but the position I am in...I can’t give you what we both want, what you deserve.
” Their dance stumbled out of rhythm. “Even with what Estora has offered us,” he continued, “I can’t think it is fair to you.
You deserve more, someone with whom you can spend the whole of your life.
Someone who can meet your needs in ways I cannot.
A love that does not need to be hidden.” He whispered, “I love you and I will to my grave, and that is why I wish you to be free to find someone else to fill your heart.”
No! she wanted to cry. No! He filled her heart, and she didn’t want to even imagine anyone else, no matter the cost, even as she recognized the sense of his words, and had in fact concluded after that day in the tombs they needed distance, that their love could not work.
That it simply was a torment for them both.
The music ended, and when they parted, it felt as though her heart was being ripped into pieces and a vast gulf had opened between them. There was a glistening in his eyes and he turned away even as those who had watched the dance applauded.
Lord Penburn approached her with a chagrined expression on his face and bowed. “My pardon, my lady, had I known you were betrothed, I surely would not have persisted in my attentions. Whoever the gentleman is, he is most fortunate.”
Her thoughts were still with Zachary so by the time she realized what Lord Penburn had said, it was too late to correct him, and he was already off mixing with other guests.
She wanted to run from the ballroom so frustrated was she, and go to her room and bawl into her pillow.
Why must everything be so hard? First Enver had abandoned her, now Zachary.
Estora joined her just then, glanced in Lord Penburn’s direction, and said, “Karigan, you’ve been keeping secrets! I must say I am surprised given everything, but is it true? Do we need to plan a wedding?”
“Oh, gods,” Karigan muttered. She watched Zachary speaking with Telagioth and a few others. “No, no wedding. I was just trying to divert Lord—” What was Toothless’ name again? Garvy. “It was a ruse to dissuade Lord Garvy’s attentions.”
“Ah,” Estora said. “I understand. I don’t blame you.
That old man is a letch. I expect he will find a wife eventually, probably from a lesser family looking to move up in status.
I feel sorry for whoever she may be, though I suppose it’s unlikely he’ll see a great many more years.
” She sighed. “I do have to say I’m a trifle disappointed, though.
I always look forward to planning a wedding. ”
“I am sorry to disappoint you.”
“Oh,” Estora said, “there will be others, I’m sure, but you best be prepared that the rumor you are betrothed will circulate for a good while.
It could work to your advantage in the short term if you wish to avoid certain gentlemen asking to court you.
Not that I’m suggesting anything, but one could do worse than Lord Penburn. Now, now, don’t give me that look.”
Karigan realized that glaring at her queen probably was not wise in this company.
“You have noble status now,” Estora continued, “and are still of childbearing age, which makes you very desirable, and at this level of society, a noble marriage is considered an obligation. This is a reality to which you must accustom yourself.”
For which, Karigan thought with indignation, she could thank the Eletians.
They had to clear the dance floor for the next set.
Estora went her own way and Karigan found herself standing alone among the milling guests as the music rose into a rustic country dance.
She no longer watched after Zachary. His words, no matter how well intentioned, continued to rip her up inside.
The happy mood of the party clamored against her gloom and grief. Yes, grief. Enver’s words wounded her intensely and she hadn’t even understood what he meant that she was his sickness. It was a terrible thing for him to say, and worse for her to hear.
Then there was Zachary letting her go. Their situation was torture for them both, and it was best for all concerned for her to move on, and yet...And yet she could not imagine herself with anyone else. Well, maybe one other, but he was lost to her in the future.
She was done. She wanted her bed and her privacy. It was time to leave.
Darkness comes . . .
“Nari?” Karigan lifted her head.
Darkness comes . . .
The whisperer’s chill breath wisped down the back of her neck. She turned and turned again, looking, looking, looking, a sense of dread overpowering the music, dimming the golden light like a giant wave cresting over the ballroom.
Discordance
A horse and rider crashed through one of the ballroom’s great windows. Shards of glass exploded through the air and tore into guests. Cold air funneled through the broken window and snuffed out candles. The rider emanated an aura of dark.
The convivial atmosphere of the ball turned to one of chaos and stark terror.
People screamed and cried. They stampeded toward the stairs that led out, overturning food tables and decor as they went, and trampling unfortunates who had fallen.
The orchestra’s last note died in discordance as the musicians threw down their instruments and ran.
The horse reared and its rider raised a sword with a sickly green gleam emanating from the blade. “Galadheon...I seek the Galadheon...”