45
The maidens arrived earlier to help me get ready for tonight’s ball.
After I’m bathed, they bring out the most beautiful dress I have ever seen.
I smile as I look in the mirror and take in the sleek grey dress with diamonds running up the overskirt attached at the hips.
The dress has no sleeves and a heart neck line.
However, earlier in the week when we were designing this dress, I had requested something to be made to cover my back.
The maidens grab the sparkling fabric and wrap it around my neck, to create a necklace of the material and then attach it to my wrists and lower back. I turn half around in the mirror and see that the sparkles blend in with all of my scars.
You wouldn’t notice them unless you knew they were there.
I thank the maidens and excuse myself, before they can start on my hair.
Once in the bathroom, I quickly grab my dagger and strap, to tie it around the leg opposite the slit in my dress. Making it easy to access but not easy to see with the flowing length of the skirt.
We’re hoping with our plan, that my escape is swift and silent but there’s always a need to prepare for the worst.
I open the door, striding back out to let the maidens do my hair. They pin my long brown curls into a bun, leaving two curly stands out at the front, before fixing a diamond tiara on top.
I stare into the mirror, feeling and looking every part of the imposter I am.
I take a deep breath. This is who I would’ve been if I’d said yes to Raylin all those years ago. A princess with secrets, an assassin linked with royal blood. How could they want this?
A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts.
“Come in.” I call out, my voice slightly breathless.
It’s Raylin who opens the door.
“I was just coming to see if—”
He stops mid sentence, his light blue eyes looking over me, seemingly speechless for a moment.
“Maeve, you look so—”
“Save it.” I say cutting him off and holding up a hand. No need to do the fake pleasantries in private.
He clears his throat. “Well then, I just came to see if you were ready.”
“I am.” I reply tightly, as I get up and walk past him, straight out the door. Raylin sighs and then follows me.
I look behind me to see him wearing a grey suit and silver crown atop his head, matching my own. Making us look like the perfect couple that we will never be.
The large ballroom doors are in front of me, guards dressed in white either side. But we don’t walk through the front doors, instead we turn to the right and walk up one of the staircases bordering the doors below.
My dress trails along behind me, the weight of it threatening to drag me down. I'm tempted to let it take me, before remembering that I have to stick to our plan.
We’re standing on the balcony when Raylin crooks his elbow. “Ready?”
“As I'll ever be.” I sigh and take his elbow as the guards open the doors on the second level.
I try to force a smile as the ballroom comes into view in front of me. I wave to our guests, as instructed and we start to descend the sandstone stairs. The theatrics make me remember that this was one of the reasons I had said no to marrying Raylin.
I’m used to being in the shadows and being unseen. I don’t much enjoy being the centre of attention. Especially now, when I know the spies of Hidale are likely watching my every move.
But still, I do my part and smile out to the crowds, looking around at the faces, not recognising any.
We finally make it to the bottom of the stairs after what felt like an eternity and Raylin thanks the people of Faystra for coming before asking everyone to join us for a dance.
I tense as Raylin smoothly transitions me from holding his elbow to wrapping my arms around his neck.
My body stiffens and I almost hiss at Raylin as his hands grasp hold of my waist.
We hadn’t danced together in years. Hadn’t even been this close to each other in years either.
Wanting a distraction, I look around the ballroom to find a sea of colourful dresses and faces lit up by the chandeliers above. All laughing and talking amongst each other, enjoying our celebrations far more than I am.
Raylin and I find a rhythm that’s all too familiar and thankfully, people start to join us, filling the space. Making our dance feel a lot less intimate. Allowing me to forget the past memories that threaten to creep up.
“Maeve.” Raylin says gently.
I can feel his gaze burning into the side of my face and I realise I haven't looked at him since we entered the ballroom.
I finally look up into his eyes, the intensity there sending goosebumps down my spine. “Yes?”
“I’m sorry.” He admits gently.
I know exactly what he’s talking about and the look on his face is so soft and earnest that I almost believe him. But it wouldn’t change anything, sorry doesn’t fix what he did.
“Why are you saying this now?” I ask bluntly.
“Because I should have done it years ago and I may not get the chance to again.”
My brows crease and I open my mouth to ask him what he means by that. He couldn’t possibly know that we’re planning to run— could he?
The song ends abruptly and I’m not able to ask him to explain further.
Especially when I feel someone at our side. The tension cuts through the air, so bluntly that I don’t even have to look to see who it is.
I know the King of Erador will be the cause.
My suspicions are confirmed when I look across to see Xander standing there. His gaze hardened and his hands in his pockets. Wearing a classic black suit that I hadn’t seen him wear before. I look up and see his golden crown that sits beautifully in his messy dark hair.
“Mind if I cut in?” He asks bluntly, like it wouldn’t matter what the answer was anyway.
“Yes, I do actually.” Raylin answers, venom lacing his tone.
Xander shrugs. “I wasn’t asking you but thanks for letting me know how you feel.”
I drop my hands from Raylin’s shoulders but his stay on my waist, refusing to give in to Xander.
“You need to back off.” Raylin sneers at Xander, “she’s with me.”
Xander chuckles at him and looks down at my arms now by my side and back up at Raylin.
“Is she?” He croons, tilting his head to the side.
Raylin’s hands flex at my waist and I can see the anger building in his eyes. Xander seems to get a rise out of him so easily at times and I know if he gives in, this will be a catastrophe.
And not in the way that we want.
Much too soon.
I look around and see people start to stare, we’re drawing attention to ourselves.
“Raylin.” I say, my tone commanding as I try to get him to switch his focus to me.
“You two are going to cause a scene.”
He looks at me like he’s about to argue but I put my hand up to stop him.
“It’s just one dance, I’ll come and find you later.”
His gaze softens slightly and he nods.
I fight my cringe as he also leans down and plants a kiss on my cheek before leaving. All for the audience I remind myself and do my best to not scowl at him as I watch him leave.
I turn my attention back towards Xander and see him glaring at Raylin as he walks away, his jaw ticks twice before he looks back down at me.
He places his hands on my waist, so gently but my breath still catches at the contact. A reminder of what happened earlier.
I slowly place my hands around his shoulders, all too aware of how close we are. Every place where our bodies meet, sends lightning strikes through me. Making my heart race and heat rush up my neck.
“Why did you pick a fight with him?” I demand as we start dancing, mainly to distract myself from the feeling of Xander’s touch.
He looks down at me, brows furrowed.
“That was hardly a fight.”
I’m about to argue when he cuts me off. “Besides, I thought you might have liked a moment of relief after spending all week with him.”
I’m quiet for a moment, looking around the room before answering.
“He actually didn’t bother me all week, he practically pretended I wasn’t there.”
Xander frowns at me. “You seem almost disappointed.”
I roll my eyes at him. “I’m just curious, his behaviour has been different.”
He doesn’t say anything, just continues moving us to the beat of the music before dipping me so abruptly that I almost lose my footing.
He chuckles softly and lifts me back up.
“A little warning would’ve been nice.” I sneer at him.
“I would’ve thought an assassin would have a better reaction time.” He smirks as he looks me up and down, “but apparently not.”
“Keep going and I’ll show you my reaction time with blades.”
“Tempting.” He says with a wink.
I narrow my eyes at him. “I’m sure you can find someone else here to flirt with.”
“Maybe, but none are as beautiful as you.” He leans in close, his breath warm against my ear, “and honestly I really do love watching you squirm.”
He smirks at me as he pulls back and I stare at him. If there weren't people around I would have thrown him off but if I did that now, it would draw too much attention.
“You’re insufferable.”
“Liar.” He croons, his hands flexing at my waist. Almost like he’s making a point of what his touch does to me. A point that he knows the effect he has on me.
Fuck, when did this happen?
His gaze is fixated on me, unmoving and so intense that I can’t look away.
“Maeve.” He says softly, “I want to say something to you.”
I chuckle at him, grateful for the distraction, before raising my brows. “Go on then, you don’t normally wait for an invitation.”
He smirks and looks to the side. Seemingly nervous about what he wants to say. It’s an emotion I don’t see him wear much, which in turn makes me feel the same way.
“I just wanted to say that I’m sorry.”
I frown at him, perplexed.
“About earlier.” He clarifies, “I didn’t mean to cross a line.”
“Oh—” I reply, getting thrown off guard for a second, “all is forgotten.” I add with a gentle smile.
I wanted to move past what happened this morning but I should have known Xander would say something.
“Where’s Cole got to?” I ask suddenly to change the subject.
He furrows his brows at me. “I’m dancing with you and you’re asking about Cole?” He shoots me a humorous look, “I’m offended.”
I ignore him and start pretending I’m thinking out loud. “Hmm.” I say, tilting my head to the side before looking away. “I wonder if Cole’s a better dancer?”
He looks down at me, something new in his eyes, like he’s accepted a challenge.
It almost makes me laugh.
He takes one hand off my waist and reaches up to grab one of my hands at his neck, before bringing our joined hands out to the side.
“Let’s test that shall we?”
I laugh at him as he starts to take us through one of Aressor’s more traditional dances. I'd have lost my feet if I hadn’t practiced with Raylin all those years ago. But for some reason I think it’s best not to mention that at the moment.
He spins me around and clutches me back towards him.
“Let’s see Cole do that.” He says with a smirk.
“We might get a chance to test that.” I say as I look to the side and see Cole walking towards us.
Xander looks over as well but stiffens, clearly seeing something I don’t.
“What’s wrong?” Xander asks, stopping our dance as soon as Cole reaches us.
“We have to go, now.” Cole says with a pointed look at me.
“They’re here for her?” Xander asks firmly, gone is the mischief from before.
Cole nods and Xander passes me to Cole who grabs my arm.
“What are you doing?” I demand, looking at both of them for the answer.
“Getting you out of here.” Xander says with determination in his eyes, “turn invisible and get to the transporter, I’ll meet you there.”
“But what are you doing?”
“Don’t argue, just go. I’ll meet you there soon, love.”
And with that he takes off in the opposite direction. Offering nothing further in the way of clarification.
Cole tugs at me, drawing my vision away from the King of Erador. He pulls me and we start moving through the crowd, slipping past the dancers and the people gathered in conversation.
Once we’re in a quiet area, I turn us invisible. Cole tugs at me again towards the exit but I pause, hesitating for a second.
Something’s not right.