Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
It was late evening as Owain got ready for the king’s ball. He was the king’s guest of honor. Though Owain knew this ball was an excuse for King Mikki to flex his power and influence, it was meant to celebrate the healing divisions between the Kingdoms of Edam and Emmental.
Owain was in good spirits. Thus far, the day was going exactly to plan.
Missives had been sent to King Vernon and their strategic allies in Urdhe and Mondseer.
Edamish warriors were stationed on the border of Edam and Emmental, and the ship merchants had agreed to the bargains Lord Patrin offered.
Even the illusion spell, though still a bit tricky, was as strong as it was going to get.
If all went according to plan, Orla’s fake body would be found in a few days, and within hours, King Mikki would be dead and Owain would be the heir apparent and Prince of Edam and Emmental.
The nobles that thought they were his betters would be at his mercy.
Though his political plans were coming together nicely, Owain’s spirits were also high because of Orla.
She had told him to meet her outside of the ballroom shortly after nine at night.
He hadn’t seen her all day as she spent the day dress shopping with Cessly.
Little did she know that he had sent a missive to the witch, guiding her to a specific shop that Owain may have already purchased a dress from.
He couldn’t wait to see Orla in it. And even though she had only agreed to one dance, he looked forward to holding her in his arms in front of court. He knew that last thought was foolish. But his feelings for Orla made him foolish.
Owain walked down the large marble staircase towards the bottom floor of the palace.
He had never seen the space so full of people.
Nobles from across Emmental filled the halls on the way to the ballroom, dressed in their finery.
Males were in well-tailored suits and females in opulent dresses.
In true Elven fashion, everyone’s Elven marks were on full display.
The winged Elves made sure their backs were out while any antlered or horned Elves had adored themselves in jewels or flowers.
Talons were painted vibrant colors and the few tails that were on display were decorated in various jeweled cuffs.
Owain spotted several allies from neighboring kingdoms who supported the coup against King Mikki, but he didn’t dare acknowledge them with so many eyes on him.
He couldn’t see Orla yet, but he had several minutes before she was expected to arrive.
Standing outside the ballroom entrance, Owain kept fidgeting with his clothes and bouncing on the balls of his feet.
He was nervous. Owain had been to more balls than he cared to remember, and at many of them, he got so deep in his cups that he couldn’t remember most of those evenings.
But he had never attended with someone he cared about.
With someone who cared about him. For as much as Owain was worried about what would happen between him and Orla, he knew she did care for him.
Maybe, one day, she could even love him. The thought made his pulse quicken.
At a quarter past nine, she arrived. Owain had continued to fidget with his sleeves when he felt her presence. Looking up, his heart stalled, and he knew his mouth hung open comically.
On a typical day, Orla was beautiful, but today she looked divine.
Every bit the goddess Owain knew her to be.
Her normally braided hair was down in a coily halo that framed her angelic face.
Coal lined her dark eyes, making them impossible to look away from, and her lips were painted the most enticing shade of pink.
Her high cheekbones had been dusted in gold.
She wore a tight-fitting emerald dress that hugged every generous curve of her body.
Thin straps that looked like vines adorned her shoulders.
The bodice of the dress was boned, pushing up her full breasts in ways that defied gravity.
A high slit in the skirt of the dress showed a flash of her dark skin every time she took a step.
Strappy gold heels made her legs look longer than they usually were.
The whole dress was patterned in an elegant gold brocade.
And on her middle finger, she wore the gold filigree ring that Owain had given her.
When she reached him, he completely lost himself, pulling her into a passionate kiss in front of most of court. Laughing, she pushed him away.
“People are watching us!” she exclaimed.
“Let them.”
There was that foolishness again. Owain lost all semblance of reason when Orla was in his presence. Holding out his arm for her to take, he escorted her into the ballroom.